And by taking advantage of some of these offers these people can add their support to wildlife conservation Cumbria.

Make a Will for Wildlife Week (October 17-21) highlights how wildlife nationally can benefit from legacies.

But a number of solicitors in Cumbria offer a year-round discount and an opportunity to donate to the Cumbria Wildlife Trust if a nature lover wishes to do so.

Cumbria’s wildlife has benefitted hugely from legacies – totalling between £75,000 and £200,000 – which have gone on to fund major Trust projects and conservation work.

One example of this generosity is Cecile Walker, of Ulverston, who died last summer. Cecile was a founder member of the Cumbria Wildlife Trust in 1962. She remembered the charity in her will and the legacy is now being put to good use as the final piece of funding for the historic High Fell Project, which looks at how the Cumbrian landscape has changed over the past 50 to 65 years.

Cumbria Wildlife Trust Development Manager Helen Duxbury said: “Cecile’s legacy gift helps us preserve other people’s valuable memories of wildlife from her generation. Her gift will help us inspire another generation of wildlife enthusiasts, which will be vital in the future.”

Cecile’s legacy is a wonderful example as Cumbria Wildlife Trust highlights Make a Will for Wildlife Week.

"Legacies make a huge difference to The Wildlife Trusts,” according to the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts Chief Executive Stephanie Hilborne. “A donation to your local Trust in your will means you can look after the natural environment on your doorstep in future, making sure your ancestors can benefit in the same way that you have.”

Everyone living in Cumbria will have their favourite place for relaxation or exercise. And many of these places will be one of Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s 35 reserves. So it is only natural that people leave a legacy to ensure these places continue to delight visitors for many years after they have died.

Trust Vice President Sir David Attenborough said: "Anyone who cares about wildlife has a marvellous opportunity to do something quite unique, by remembering their local Wildlife Trust in their will. This generous act is one of the most important things you can do to make sure the species and habitats we love will be there for future generations to enjoy."

A number of solicitors are offering discounts. They are: A 25% discount is offered by:

• Temple Heelis, Kendal - 01539 723757
• HFT Gough & Co, Whitehaven - 01946 692461
• Brockbank Curwen Cain & Hall, Workington - 01900 603563
• Atkinson Ritson, Carlisle - 01228 525221 • Atkinson Ritson, Wigton – 016973 43241
• Thompson Wilson Pattinson, Windermere - 015394 42233
• Hewitson & Harker, Kirkby Stephen - 01768 371534
• Gedye & Sons, Grange-over-Sands - 015395 32313
• Arnison & Company, Penrith - 01768 862007 • Milne Moser, Kendal - 01539 729786
• Milne Moser, Milnthorpe - 015395 62263
• Atkinson Ritson, Wigton - 01673 43241

A 20% discount is offered by:

• Forresters Solicitors, Barrow-in-Furness - 01229 820297
• Kendal Wills, Kendal – 01539 723799/728020

A donation to Cumbria Wildlife Trust of £10/£15 on individual/joint Wills is offered by:

• Greenwood Kyle, Kendal - 01539 721613

Any gift left to Cumbria Wildlife Trust is tax-free so the money that would have gone to the Inland Revenue will be spent on saving wildlife.

The Trust said: “Your gift, however large or small will make a real difference for the future of Cumbria’s wildlife. “As well as legacies, in memory donations are a wonderful tribute to the life of someone who loved wildlife. Whether you donate instead of giving flowers at the funeral or simply wish to make a donation in their memory, these donations will ensure that your loved one's memory will continue through the healthy, diverse, natural world.”