A landscape charity plans to extend a wildlife haven in a Lake District village after buying more land.
Friends of the Lake District bought Dam Mire Wood in Threlkeld, near Keswick in 2021.
The wood sits at the foot of Blencathra, and the landscape charity has planted trees and wetland plants, improved access to the site, installed bird boxes and created a willow den with the help of local schoolchildren.
The charity has now bought a next-door piece of land.
It said it was currently in a poor natural state, making it difficult for biodiversity and wildlife to thrive. There is also limited public access to the field.
The charity is now developing plans to expand Dam Mire Wood onto this new site and are asking for ideas from people about what they want to see and do there.
It recently held a local consultation day which included children from the local primary school who put forward their ideas and it has now launched an online survey to gather more ideas.
Initial plans for the site include planting more trees, adding in a bridge and footpaths, and installing bird boxes.
The charity has also announced that it has been chosen for this year’s Big Give Green Match Fund to help make plans for Dam Mire Wood a reality.
Between April 22 and April 29, donations made to the Dam Mire Extension appeal on the Big Give website will be matched by Big Give Champions.
Michael Hill, CEO of Friends of the Lake District, said: “Dam Mire Wood is already thriving with nature thanks to the work that Friends of the Lake District, with the support of our many volunteers, have done on the original site.
“It has also become a favourite place for people to visit and enjoy the stunning views. Now, with your help, we want to make it bigger and better.
“We hope people will fill out the survey to tell us what they’d like to see on the new site, whether that’s more places to sit, public artworks, or cameras to watch the wildlife that we hope will make this place their home
“And we hope the public will donate to our Big Give campaign, see their money doubled, and help turn all these plans into reality.”
Donations made to the Big Give appeal will also go towards plans to create a network of small ponds on the new site to help slow the flow of water from the surrounding fells. The ponds will also provide new habitats for wildlife, such as newts and frogs.
Sue Kiernan, who lives nearby, said: “Dam Mire Wood is a haven in Threlkeld for locals, schoolchildren, dog-walkers, visitors and wanderers alike.
“I love sitting on the sheltered bench, right underneath Blencathra, drinking in the spectacular view of Clough Head and St John’s-in-the-Vale as the seasons change.
“We are excited about what the future holds for the new piece of land with more open access and habitat creation, knowing this will be a wonderful site, not only for the present, but for future generations to enjoy.”
People can find out more about the survey and how to support the plans to expand Dam Mire Wood by visiting https://www.friendsofthelakedistrict.org.uk/dammire
