The Mersey Valley is a joint countryside management project covering the river and surrounding land between the Manchester/ Stockport boundary and the Manchester Ship Canal in Irlam.

The project is run by a Joint Committee of councillors from Manchester City Council and Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council, along with representatives of the Environment Agency. Its aims are to encourage the use of the Valley for recreation, conservation and agriculture rather than development.

Within the project boundary, the Joint Committee manages nearly 40 sites on behalf of the constituent authorities, totalling 300ha/800acres. The Joint Committee also guides the work of the Mersey Valley Countryside Warden Service, with Manchester City Council acting as managing district.

The Warden Service is responsible for land and visitor management on Mersey Valley sites.

This includes:

• Access management, including path surfacing and maintenance, stiles, gates and boardwalks.
• Woodland management, including tree planting, thinning, coppicing, and tree surgery.
• Other habitat management, including creating or maintaining ponds, ditches and other wetlands, and creating and maintaining species-rich grasslands.
• Clearing litter and flytipping.
• Patrolling the sites and other areas in the Valley.
• Interpretation, including displays, leaflets and other publications, and public and private events.
• Providing a free education service tailored to the needs of individual schools.
• Encouraging informal recreation including canoeing, angling, orienteering and cycling.
• working in partnership with community groups