A major tree-planting project has transformed Fishwick Bottoms, Preston, with 11,800 native trees now creating a thriving riverside woodland. The initiative, delivered by Clitheroe based environmental charity Ribble Rivers Trust, will boost biodiversity, improve water quality, and help protect communities from flooding.

Fishwick Bottoms, located on the banks of the River Ribble just across from Walton-le-Dale and close to the city centre, is already a popular spot for anglers on the Ribble Free Stretch and for walkers on the Ribble Way trail. Over the past year, this green space has been transformed with the planting of 11,800 native trees along a two-kilometre stretch of river.

The trees, a diverse mix of native species including English oak, wych elm, hawthorn, hazel, alder, birch, willow, elder, holly, and blackthorn will form a natural riverside woodland, providing food and shelter for insects, small mammals, and woodland and water birds. This work also included installing 1,200 metres of fencing and gates to protect the riverbanks from erosion caused by livestock, while six specially designed drinking areas set back from the river will allow livestock to have safe access to water.

To that the space provides the best possible habitats for nature, invasive non-native plant species are being controlled with the help of Ribble Rivers Trust’s dedicated volunteers. In addition to this, an innovative net-zero, rapid-setting concrete was used to improve farmers’ access. Each new tree has been planted with a coir mulch mat instead of plastic guards, which are an environmentally friendly measure that avoids the potential loss of plastic tree guards on this flood-prone site.

This woodland is more than just a haven for wildlife. It also plays an important role in natural flood management. The trees will help slow water during heavy rainfall, stabilise the soil with their roots, and capture sediments and pollutants before they enter the river. Over time, this will reduce flood risk and create cleaner water for key species such as Atlantic salmon, brown trout, and European eels.

This major habitat creation project is part of the Preston and South Ribble Flood Risk Management Scheme (FRMS), led by the Environment Agency and partners. Designed to protect around 5,000 homes and businesses, the scheme also includes a commitment to Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). Ribble Rivers Trust is delivering this aspect of the project, ensuring that flood protection goes hand in hand with restoring and enhancing the natural environment.

“Projects like this show the power of working with nature,” said Rob Cooper, Project Manager at Ribble Rivers Trust. “As well as creating an incredible habitat for wildlife, these trees will help store water, protect rivers, and play a vital role in managing flood risk for the future.”