Climate adaptation and biodiversity action
The Whalley Range Cricket & Lawn Tennis Club is an inner-city Manchester community club who have been at their Kingsbrook Road location since 1923.
In 2012, the club experienced drought followed by a one-in-100-year flooding event. The same level of flooding then occurred in 2016, 2017 and every year after that.
The outfield was flooding annually in winter, and yet the square required watering by April and May.
What have they done?
The club decided to take action to adapt the grounds for climate change and improve biodiversity:
- Native trees and fruit trees were planted on the outskirts of the field to better soak up excess water.Â
- Low-utilised areas were identified and left to grow and ‘meander’ at their own rate, through ‘benign neglect’.Â
- The outskirts were left to rewild with reduced mowing and trimming. As Mike Hill from the club says: “Not being able to find a ball is not the end of the world, but climate change could be.”Â
- Daisies, clovers and other natural ground covers were allowed to grow on the outfield, welcoming back the worms, insects, and birds. Â
- Wildlife was further encouraged with bird boxes and bug hotels.
How have they done it?
Supporters and community
The club found plenty of willing partners for these initiatives, from the Woodland Trust and Manchester City Council to corporates keen to contribute as part of their corporate social responsibility. Members with corporate roles were able to help find corporate support and funding. Â
The Whalley Range team found plenty of grants available to purchase trees and seeds. The Woodland Trust provided the club with young trees for planting. Members volunteer for planting days and help build bird boxes and bug hotels. The local residents’ association maintains the planters on the street front. Â
The Whalley Range club is a community resource, providing space for other clubs to meet and hosting events for the local community. The team like to keep the club ‘humming’ and their members engaged, to build a sense of ownership and community. Â
Inner-city wildlife island Â
The Whalley Range Club see themselves as an island for wildlife in the city. This contributes to local ‘green corridors’ – allowing biodiversity to migrate.
The Whalley Range team are increasingly seeing local playing fields flooding regularly and then being replaced with all-purpose, all-weather surfaces. Although a different approach to the one the Whalley Range team has adopted, these surfaces can be a pragmatic way forward for many sports and situations.
The team advocate for giving holistic consideration to the areas they’re installed in, allowing space for nature to prosper on the margins. This could include a wildflower meadow, bug boxes, or simply ‘benign neglect’ for the space to rewild.
The Whalley Range team no longer use pesticides, herbicides or worm suppressants without careful thought. This both saves the club money and time, but also helps protect local biodiversity.
They still use a ‘weed and feed’ on the key playing surfaces but believe there is no need for a worm killer. Worms play a vital role in soil health and structure; they loosen and oxygenate the soil by burrowing channels and improve the soil’s ability to absorb water. Â
The club want to see their grass playing fields protected and enhanced, as islands for biodiversity and nature, but also for the enjoyment of future generations. “We want to be surrounded and supported by nature, surrounded by the birds and the bees,” says Mike.Â
Outcomes
The Whalley Range team want to play their part in protecting the sport for future generations to enjoy.Â
Through their actions, the club has:Â
- Reduced flooding problems from retained rainfall in summer. Â
- Improved soil health and reduced erosion by allowing natural ground covers, like clovers and daisies.Â
- Reduced mowing and fuel usage and associated carbon emissions. Â
- Increased natural nitrogen levels in the soil. Â
- Removed the need to buy pesticides to maintain the grounds, as the natural system of worms, insects and birds keeps the pests away.Â
- Increased worm activity, aerating the soil and allowing water to better soak in. Â
In addition, the club have reached record membership and the team believe their environmental sustainability work has contributed to member retention and engagement.
The Whalley Range team encourage all local sports clubs with grounds to do this work and play their part in adapting to climate change and enhancing biodiversity.
“We don’t want a world where we can’t play cricket because it’s always flooded,” says Mike.
What ideas and inspiration can you take from this to your own club?
Top tips
- Play your part, and start somewhere; for example, planting trees!
- Let spaces rewild; sometimes ‘benign neglect’ is best