Despite being one of the wildest places in England, the Lake District has been shaped by people through centuries of upland farming. Supporting these traditional farming methods is therefore an important part of planning for the future of these landscapes. Woodlands are an even older aspect of our landscape. Ancient woodlands once cloaked vast areas of the Lake District. Today Friends of the Lake District is dedicated to restoring and recreating native woodlands, for the sake of the landscape, the wildlife and the people who enjoy them.
We are no longer buying new plastic tree guards but re-using from our current stock while we await the outcome of current trials of non-plastic tubes which look very promising. When we next add to our stock of tree tubes, our intention is to adopt a more environmentally friendly solution. Read more
Friends of the Lake District Whole Valley Planning - A guide for communities. This project explored the feasibility of whether land management could be integrated across a whole valley, based on community led issues. Read more
Small, upland farms are a crucial part of the landscape, culture and communities of Cumbria. Our vision is to have a thriving local farming economy where farmers are properly rewarded for their work and the public benefit from improved landscape, access, biodiversity, water and health through responsible farming practices. Read more
Friends of the Lake District aims to increase woodland cover in Cumbria and better manage existing woodlands. We practice what we preach through managing trees and woodland on land that we own too. Read more