Groups and partnerships
Small tortoiseshell butterfly © Amy Lewis
Working together for wildlife
Cumbria Wildlife Trust works in partnership with other organisations to achieve the best results for wildlife. We also support special interest groups, which are made up of volunteers and experts in a particular field.
The Cumbria Mammal group Facebook page is already populated with a number of posts, photographs and videos and new members are always welcome.
Follow Cumbria Mammal group on Facebook
As well as being a useful means of sharing observations from around Cumbria the Cumbria Mammal group is planning to run some specialist field meetings with a view to producing the mammal experts of tomorrow.
Cumbria is fortunate in possessing some real experts and if these individuals cast their minds back, they will recall that they were initially shown the ropes by someone willing to share their skills.
The demise of the old Mammals Group and the regional Badger Groups has created a vacuum in this educational area that this new Group intends to fill.
Why did the Cumbria Local Nature Partnership come about?
Cumbria’s brand is defined by our location and unique environment; it has provided the resources for innovation that have made Cumbria globally renowned.
However, we continue to witness the decline of nature in Cumbria as climate change, development pressure and modern day life impact on our surroundings that have provided us with vital natural resources.
Once common species have become rare, and treasured landscapes are changing. We need our natural systems to provide for us.
We rely on nature to supply essentials such as food, clean air and water and to underpin the quality of our lives by supporting health, recreation and fulfilment.
Nature also provides our economic base. Environmental growth will change our thinking and practice; it will ensure that nature can sustain and support our communities and businesses in the future.
Which organisations are involved in the Cumbria Local Nature Partnership?
Cumbria Local Nature Partnership consists of a wide range of organisations including:
- statutory agencies
- local authorities
- representatives of farming and landowning interests
- research and educational institutions
- businesses, voluntary organisations and community groups
Read more
In late 2014 the Cumbria Local Nature Partnership (CLNP) Board was established with Lord Inglewood as its Chair (a full list of CLNP Board members is contained within the CLNP Strategy - which you can download below).
Since then we have been seeking to work strategically with leaders from all sectors and foster a step change in delivery for the environment embedding its value in local decisions for the benefit of nature, people and the economy.
The CLNP Board has also been working to develop the CLNP Strategy. This strategy sets out what the CLNP wants for the environment in Cumbria.
The CLNP's vision for the environment of Cumbria is:
“Cumbria is a place where consideration for the environment informs every decision making process and where the environment is managed to provide a wide range of benefits for nature, people and the economy. In Cumbria nature’s role within the landscape is understood and valued by all”.
It also outlines the approach required and lists the themes on which CLNP and others need to work in order to realise this vision.
The four key themes are:
1. Putting people at the heart of environmental policy;
2. Managing environmental impacts and growing the economy;
3. Adopting an integrated landscape approach to conservation on both land and at sea;
4. Improving knowledge and understanding of the environment
The CLNP will encourage delivery and where necessary instigate a series of priority actions under these four themes using the best available evidence and in consultation with its stakeholders and others (e.g. Morecambe Bay and Northern Upland Chain LNPs).
More information?
If you would like to find out more about the CLNP and its work please contact Paul Evans (Partnership Officer) using the details below.
Contact: Paul Evans, Partnership Officer, Cumbria Wildlife Trust
Telephone: 01539816300
Email: Paul Evans
Cumbria Local Nature Partnership is seeking to recruit a new Chair.
Cumbria has an amazing range of landscapes and geology, supporting a diverse and rich wildlife. However, we continue to witness the decline of nature in Cumbria as climate change, development pressure, land management and modern day life impact on our natural environment. Once common species have become rare and wildlife habitats have been lost, degraded or fragmented. It now an imperative not only to prevent further losses, but to work towards reversing the damage and declines. 'Nature Recovery' is needed - restoring and reinstating habitats and wildlife in such a way to ensure that we can sustain a healthy environment into the future. The government’s 25 Year Environment Plan and the draft Environment Bill show a commitment to recover nature, and tools are being put in place to help this change.
We also need our natural systems to provide for us. We rely on our 'Natural Capital' to supply essentials such as food, clean air and water. It also underpins the quality of our lives by supporting health, recreation and fulfilment. We need a change in our thinking and practice to ensure that economic growth and development recognises the value of our natural environment and helps maintain and recover nature.
Can you help lead 'Nature Recovery' and promote the changes needed for a Natural Capital approach to economic development?
The Cumbria Local Nature Partnership (CLNP) is searching for a senior level high profile individual who can provide leadership and act as an influential advocate for the Partnership’s purpose, vision and functions.
Whilst not necessarily drawn from an organisation/background working for the natural environment they must understand the importance to Cumbria of a healthy and robust natural environment. They must also have experience of, and strong links to the business community, and must want to help ensure the natural environment is managed sustainably for the benefit of nature, people and the economy.
For full details of the role and further info about our work visit: www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/about/what-we-do/groups-and-partnerships
If you would like to discuss the role further, call Paul Evans on 01539 816 300 or email paule@cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk
Deadline for applications is 9am on Monday the 9th March 2020.
Download more information
Cumbria local nature partnership environment strategy PDF
Cumbria local nature partnership summary document PDF
What is the Cumbria Peat Partnership about?
It brings stakeholders together to share knowledge, develop best practice and actively support the restoration, stewardship and the long-term future of the wide range of valuable peat habitats in Cumbria.
The Cumbria Peat Partnership will actively support the restoration and better stewardship of peat land habitats with the aim of delivering:
- Flood Risk Management
- Biodiversity, Water Resources
- Water Quality
- Carbon Storage
- Water Framework Directive benefits
What are the key objectives of the Cumbria Peat Partnership?
The formation of the Cumbria Peat Partnership (CPP) in spring 2012. Its key objectives are that by 2020 we will:
- Seek to achieve favourable management conditions of 2020ha of Peat land habitat in Cumbria.
- Improve connectivity of Peat land habitats for the benefit of flagship species in Cumbria.
What work has been carried out so far?
Surveys are currently being carried out of potential restoration sites, following a detailed mapping exercise of the available peat habitat in the Lake District National Park and areas of high restoration potential.
This will help us to identify areas of erosion and help us to define where best to focus our resources.
Who is a member of the Cumbria Peat Partnership?
Representatives from the following organisations will form the membership of the partnership:
- Cumbria Wildlife Trust (CWT)
- Environment agency (EA)
- Natural England (NE)
- The Forestry Commission (FC)
- The National Trust (NT)
- United Utilities (UU)
- Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA)
- Cumbria Farmers Network
- National Farmers Union (NFU)
- Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
- Nurture Lakeland
- Cumbria Woodlands
- Friends of the Lake District
- Moorland Association
More information?
If you would like to find out more about the Cumbria Peat Partnership and its
work please contact Neil Harnott (Senior Conservation Officer) at Cumbria Wildlife Trust. Telephone: 01539 816300
Email Neil Harnott
Cumbria Peat Partnership (CPP) terms of reference PDF
Cumbria's dark skies allow us to see the natural wonder of the stars, but are also critical for the health wildlife and our own natural well-being. Sadly light pollution in Cumbria is increasing each year, threatening to obscure our view of the stars and blinding and confusing animals so they can’t feed or find a mate. Discover more about The Friends of the Lake District project to stop light pollution.
Our enduring partnership with Vine House Farm has inspired and enabled people to look after the wildlife in their garden for over ten years.
Feeding Vine House Farm bird seed, home grown on their wildlife friendly farm in Lincolnshire has enabled tens of thousands of people to experience the joy of wildlife in their gardens.
Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Sites (RIGS) were originally designated as important places for geology and geomorphology outside statutorily protected land such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
This has changed and RIGS have become ‘Local Geological Sites’ (LGS) which, importantly, are recognised by local planning authorities; Cumbria GeoConservation gets consulted if any proposed development impinges on an LGS.
This is a means of safeguarding important Earth science and landscape features for future generations to enjoy.
Further information about local geology and a map showing the location of Local Geological Sites can be found on the CumbriaGeoConservation website
For all the Local Geological Sites that can be visited without seeking permission, 'Site Data Sheets' can be downloaded from the CumbriaGeoConservation website and for some sites there are non-technical leaflets to download.
Cumbria Biodiversity Action Plan (species updated list 2009) PDF
The aim of the group is to facilitate the well planned and managed reintroduction of beavers to Cumbria through the delivery and support of enclosed scientific beaver release trials, as well as community engagement and advocacy.
- Beavers are native to Britain but were wiped out in the 16th century, mainly due to hunting.
- Beavers are completely vegetarian and do NOT eat fish.
- Beavers can provide a range of environmental and socio-economic benefits. These include flood risk alleviation, improved water quality, habitat creation for other wildlife and increase revenue for the local economy through nature-based tourism.
- The proposed release schemes in Cumbria are enclosed scientific trials and will only take place if a license is granted and funding can be obtained. They are not for free roaming beavers so they will be unable to move into the wider surrounding countryside.
- In the long term, the Cumbria Beaver Group would like to see beavers return to Cumbria. However, it is vital that any reintroduction is well planned, well managed and has the support of the local community.