Tatton MP George Osborne was in town last week to visit a local nature reserve and meet with the region's leading wildlife and environmental charity - the Cheshire Wildlife Trust.
The Chancellor enjoyed a guided tour around the Trust's Saltersley Moss nature reserve with Chief Executive Dr. Janel Fone and Chairman Prof. David Norman, who gave the Chancellor an insight into the fragile remnant wildlife habitats at the site and the wider issues affecting Cheshire's environment.
Although adjacent to the wider Saltersley Moss and Lindow Common, which are still subject to commercial peat -cutting, the nature reserve is home to the green hairstreak butterfly and increasing numbers of water voles.
The habitats on the reserve are part of a wider conservation project in partnership with other Wildlife Trusts and conservation bodies in the region to restore, recreate and reconnect wildlife habitats to create Living Landscapes – substantial areas of habitats that the public can enjoy and have the capability to be robust and resilient in the face of a changing environment.
Mr Osborne said: "I was greatly impressed to see for myself the fantastic work that the Wildlife Trust is doing not just in Wilmslow but throughout Cheshire. The Wildlife Trust is working to deliver real results on the ground, not just for wildlife and the environment, but for local communities too. Their ambitious Living Landscape scheme will see schools, communities and business come together in connecting areas for wildlife - a crucial consideration as our climate changes".
Dr. Janel Fone, Chief Executive of Cheshire Wildlife Trust added: "We were delighted to welcome Mr Osborne to one of the natural gems within his constituency at Saltersley Moss, and enjoyed the opportunity to discuss a number of local issues affecting the site, but also the broader picture of how the Wildlife Trusts can play a key role in the Government's 'Big Society' – local communities taking local action for wildlife and the environment, both in Cheshire and across the UK".
