Organisers of the Big Windermere Survey need your help to raise £30,000 for 2024.
Launched in 2022 by the Freshwater Biological Association and Lancaster University, the survey has developed a community of volunteer citizen scientists to help monitor and understand water quality in Windermere and its surrounding catchment.
Four times a year, hundreds of citizen scientists come together to collect water samples which are then analysed in accredited laboratories.
Windermere is an internationally iconic freshwater lake in the heart of the Lake District National Park – vital for business, tourism, recreation, conservation, and wildlife. However, concerns have been raised about the health of the lake.
In particular, there are concerns about algal blooms and bacterial pollution which are potentially harmful to animals and humans.
The survey focuses on the key nutrients and bacteria that lie behind these issues, contributing to the scientific understanding of water quality in the Leven catchment.
Data gathered drives evidence-based action to protect and restore the health of Windermere.
The survey has already generated community-focused action and continues to support the development of future initiatives to improve lake conditions.
Data from the survey has already initiated local investigations and monitoring into higher phosphorus and bacterial concentrations from multiple wastewater sources and misconnections across the catchment.
To continue running the Big Windermere Survey, the association needs to raise £30,000 by the beginning of next month.
Previous surveys have been funded by generous grants from organisations such as Westmorland and Furness Council, the National Trust, Lake District Foundation and the Environment Agency.
It is seeking sponsorship support from the local business community to continue the research and outreach work and is raising funds through the Big Windermere Survey crowdfunder, with each donation of up to £250 being matched pound-for-pound by the Aviva Community Fund.
To donate, visit https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/the-big-windermere-survey
