Friends of the Lake District has awarded hundreds of ‘Landscape Grants’ supporting environmental projects throughout Cumbria, from school nature areas to major woodland creation projects. 

The grants provide crucial support to small projects across Cumbria, enhancing the environment and the landscape. Hedgerows have been planted, dry stone walls repaired, bridges replaced and wildlife gardens created. Landscape areas such as bogs and moors, coastal areas, woodland, village greens, ponds and common land. 

One Landscape Grant awarded recently will help to fund dry stone walling repairs, new plants and trees as part of the creation of a woodland memorial garden in Bewcastle; providing a focal point for the start and finish of walks within the area and to promote the Parish of Bewcastle as a place to visit.

Barbara Smith, Project Committee Member said: 

“The legacy of the project will be a public space in Bewcastle – a meeting place, a learning place, a relaxing place, a place of contemplation, and we hope that when it is established, local people and visitors will find this a good reason to return regularly to Bewcastle for years to come.” 

Another award is funding the purchase of native wildflower seeds and bug hotels in support of an innovative initiative called the ‘Good Lives’ project based in Cleator Moor.

A site is being created to provide healthy food to the local community. The wider community will become involved when the project is up and running and will invite schools, community groups, families and individuals to join in and learn how to produce good, healthy food, to therapeutically garden, to gain wellness benefits from exercise and fresh air. 

It’s a substantial area that already supports wildlife such as Red Deer, Red Squirrels, swans, Red Kite, rabbits, butterflies and other insect life. Further planting will encourage pollination and will provide a haven for insects, amphibians and other wildlife alongside the area set aside for growing produce. The legacy of the project will be a valuable outdoor environment that the whole community will be proud of, that provides a thriving wildlife haven as well as producing good fresh food which will be available to all who need it. It will be self-financing in terms of supplying local food businesses with produce, the profits from which will be re-invested into the project. 

Jan Darrall, Policy Officer at Friends of the Lake District said: 

“As you can see, we are able to fund a diverse range of projects through our Landscape Grant 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 do let us know. We still have grant money left to allocate so I’d urge people to get in touch to see if we are able to help.” 

Applications can be made to Friends of the Lake District, and information on the Landscape Grants scheme can be found at www.friendsofthelakedistrict.org.uk 

Support is open to charitable organisations, voluntary and community groups, schools, social enterprises and local councils or conservation agencies. There are no application deadlines as the grant is open all year round. For more information contact [email protected]