Cumbrian landscape charity Friends of the Lake District has launched its 2020 ‘Landscape Grant’ scheme.
Spanning 70 years, the grant scheme has helped to support hundreds of diverse projects, allowing communities, groups and schools to transform and enhance their own small part of the county and contribute to an effort that has had a positive impact on every aspect of the landscape and cultural heritage of Cumbria.
Hedgerows have been planted, dry stone walls repaired, bridges replaced and wildlife gardens created. Landscape areas such as bogs and moors, coastal areas, woodland, village greens, ponds and common land have been restored together with cultural heritage features such as cast iron signposts. Support for hundreds of free events has provided access to the countryside and actively contributed to people’s health and wellbeing.
Jan Darrall, of Friends of the Lake District said: “When supporting so many disparate projects it can be easy to overlook the impact that this grant scheme has on the wider county.
“Multiple tree planting projects are playing their own small part in alleviating future flood risk, the repair of bridges and pathways damaged by storms has restored access to many of our most iconic fell routes and helped mitigate the wider impact of severe weather events.
“We think that the amazing cultural heritage of Cumbria is something to be cherished. By providing support with funding we can help to restore and care for the things which make our county special – the limekilns, signposts, cobbles – ensuring that we retain its unique appeal and its historical interest”.
“If you have an idea for a project or event then please visit our website for more information or contact us to talk it through. Our landscape grant scheme was created to support Cumbrian communities, schools and organisations in caring for our landscape and celebrating our cultural heritage.”
Applications can be made to Friends of the Lake District, and information on the new grant scheme can be found at www.friendsofthelakedistrict.org.uk/how-to-apply-for-a-grant
Support is open to charitable organisations, voluntary and community groups, schools, social enterprises and local councils or conservation agencies. There are no application deadlines as the grant is open all year round. For more information contact [email protected]
