Friends of the Lake District has been awarding grants to help the environment for over 70 years, awarding its first grant in 1943 for the purchase of Hobcarton Crag.

It has now contributed more than £1 million to over 600 environmental projects throughout Cumbria, from school nature areas to major woodland creation projects, through its Environmental Improvement Grant (EIG) scheme.

More than 70 years on, these grants continue to provide crucial support for small projects across Cumbria, enhancing the environment, landscapes and lives.

The Gough Monument on Helvellyn was fully renovated and restored by volunteers. The award of an Environmental Improvement Grant, hardy volunteers and some hard work in partnership with the Lake District National Park Authority enabled the restoration of this historic monument. 

More recently a grant award helped to fund a North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership project to lay stone flags along a section of Wainwright’s Coast to Coast walk. The footpath from Nine Standards Rigg in Cumbria crossed damaged peat which became badly eroded.

This was a real safety concern for the thousands of walkers that complete this route every year. As well as being damaging to the natural environment, it was also a hazard for people; a walker became so stuck in August 2015 that Kirby Stephen Mountain Rescue Team had to dig him out of the bog.

The new flag stones should encourage walkers to stick to one route, preventing further erosion and allowing boggy bare peat to re-vegetate. This will improve this area of bog for wildlife, the environment, and for the enjoyment of the public on this popular route.

View a film of footpath work on a section of the Coast to Coast walk from Nine Standards Rigg in the North Pennines AONB here.

Jan Darrall, policy officer at Friends of the Lake District said,

“We are able to help with funding for a diverse range of projects through our EIG scheme. If you have a project in mind that contributes to conserving or enhancing the landscape or one that helps people to connect with and enjoy the outdoors then please do get in touch.”

Grants are awarded to organisations, community groups and charities with projects located within, or demonstrating clear links to the Lake District and Cumbria.

More recently a grant award helped to fund a North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership project to lay stone flags along a section of Wainwright’s Coast to Coast walk. The footpath from Nine Standards Rigg in Cumbria crossed damaged peat which became badly eroded.

If you have a project that you think may qualify then please contact Jan Darrall on 01539 720788 for an informal chat or email [email protected]. More information is also available on the Friends of the Lake District website.

https://www.friendsofthelakedistrict.org.uk/environmental-improvement-grants-guidance