This new project, funded by a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, has seen fourteen young people from Carlisle learn more about wildlife and how to look after it.

The young people visited the nature reserve several times to learn about its wildlife, its natural heritage and the role natural heritage plays in our day-to-day lives. They also helped to improve the woodland by repairing boardwalks that were washed away in the floods and planted native trees.

Jamie Normington, Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s Senior Education and Volunteer Officer, says: “People can often be detached from the natural world so this is an amazing opportunity for young people from Carlisle to discover a natural place close to home. Wreay Woods Nature Reserve suffered damage in the floods of 2015 with paths that ran along the side of the river being completely washed away. The young people from Carlisle Youth Zone are helping restore the footpaths and hopefully will discover a love of nature along the way.”

The young people will celebrate the heritage that they have discovered by creatively sharing their learning with other young people at Carlisle Youth Zone, as well as with friends and family, through film, photography, poetry, games or any other creative way that inspires them.