A series of free landscape training events for outdoor leaders will begin next week.

Landscape charity Friends of the Lake District’s Leaders’ Landscape Training Programme is aimed at mountain leaders and outdoor practitioners to help expand their understanding of Cumbria’s landscapes and upland ecology. They cover the issues and pressures that outdoor users place on our landscape, wildlife and habitats, enabling leaders to pass on their knowledge to those with whom they work.

Kay Andrews, Landscape Engagement Officer with Friends of the Lake District and organiser of the programme said: “The challenging couple of years we’ve had has highlighted further the importance of time outdoors on both our physical and mental wellbeing. Along with climate anxiety, this has led to increases in people exploring landscapes and wanting to learn more. Outdoor Leaders have an important role to play in sharing their knowledge with the groups they take out.”

“We’ve got a packed programme this year including breaking barriers in the outdoors, the drivers of landscape change, archaeology, the challenges of upland management and balancing visitor pressure to name a few. The sessions are all of a walk and talk format giving participants the chance to learn from experts in their field face-to-face in an outdoor setting.”

Events are free to outdoor leaders and run from April through to October at various locations in Cumbria. Places are allocated on a first-come, first served basis.

Booking for Friends of the Lake District’s Leader’s Landscape Training sessions is essential. Sessions are offered as accredited Continuous Professional Development training through the Mountain Training Association for members.

Friends of the Lake District’s Leaders’ Landscape Training Programme for 2022 is sponsored by CONQUER Lake District: designers and creators of National Park goods that have a touch of nostalgia about them.

To find out more or to book a place, visit Leaders Landscape Training Events 2022 | Friends of the Lake District.