The Lake District Foundation (LDF) is to welcome its newest ambassador, adventurer and environmental campaigner, Kate Rawles.
Kate, who uses her adventurous journeys to raise awareness and inspire action on major environmental challenges, has recently returned from The Life Cycle – a ride from Colombia to Cape Horn by bamboo bike, during which she explored the increasing loss of biodiversity.
A former lecturer in Environmental Philosophy as well as Outdoor Studies at the University of Cumbria in Ambleside, Kate set up Outdoor Philosophy to explore big questions about the relationship between humans and nature – but rather than speaking inside lecture theatres, she chose to educate her audience outdoors instead.
In 2006, Kate cycled from Texas to Alaska along the spine of the Rockies exploring climate change, publishing a book about her journey and subsequent findings. The Carbon Cycle; Crossing the Great Divide, was later shortlisted for the Banff Mountain Festival Adventure Travel Award, 2012.
Kate’s other adventures include the Gyre to Gaia ocean voyage with Pangaea Exploration, which focussed on the increasingly pressing issue of plastic pollution.
Commenting on Kate’s acceptance of the ambassadorial role, LDF Chair Sarah Swindley says, “We are delighted to welcome Kate as an ambassador for the Lake District Foundation. Her passion for communication and adventures in the great outdoors are a perfect fit for our cause, and we hope that this partnership will inspire many more people to care for our spectacular wildlife and landscapes.”
Kate joins existing ambassador Sean Conway, who has been supporting the charity since it was founded in 2017. Meanwhile, Sean is holding a special lecture on Saturday January 19 as part of his “Explore from the Door” project with the Coniston-based Coppermines Lakes Cottages company.
You can find out more about the Lake District Foundation, here.
