There are ranger services throughout the Gt M/cr area - I used to work for Wigan RAnger Service - which is now Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust Ranger Service. Staff are dwindling at a lot of ranger based places but its worth checking all the authorities around - Chorlton Water Park will have info very close to you, but there still ranger service staff in most of the boroughs and some days and events going on. Look on the RSPB site for info on local RSPB groups - they have events and lectures, days out and volunteer work parties in some instances.
Pauline
PS Thanks Ken for plugging my book - its like me old now - but the places and info remains more or less the same
