Organisations carrying out environmental projects in Cumbria can apply for support from Friends of the Lake District.
The group has awarded hundreds of landscape grants, which provide crucial support to small projects that enhance the environment and the landscape.
The parish of Bewcastle recently received a grant to help fund dry stone wall repairs, new plants and trees as part of a new woodland memorial garden.
Barbara Smith, project committee member, said: “The legacy of the project will be a public space in Bewcastle – a meeting place, a learning place, a relaxing place, a place of contemplation, and we hope that when it is established, local people and visitors will find this a good reason to return regularly to Bewcastle for years to come.”
Another award is funding the purchase of native wildflower seeds and bug hotels in support of an innovative initiative called the Good Lives project in Cleator Moor.
A site is being created to provide healthy food to the local community. The wider community will become involved when the project is up and running and will invite schools, community groups, families and individuals to join in and learn how to produce good, healthy food, to therapeutically garden, to gain wellness benefits from exercise and fresh air.
It’s a substantial area that already supports wildlife such as red deer, red squirrels, swans, red kite, rabbits, butterflies and other insect life.
Funding for further planting will encourage pollination and will provide a haven for insects, amphibians and other wildlife alongside the area set aside for growing produce.
Jan Darrall, policy officer at Friends of the Lake District, said: “We are able to contribute to funding for a diverse range of projects through our landscape grant scheme. If you have a project in mind that contributes to conserving or enhancing the landscape or one that helps people to connect with and enjoy the outdoors then do let us know. We still have grant money left to allocate so I’d urge people to get in touch to see if we are able to help.”
Applications can be made to Friends of the Lake District, and information on the Landscape Grants scheme can be found at www.friendsofthelakedistrict.org.uk
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 jan-darrall@fld.org.uk
