A project to restore nature in over 562 hectares of the western Lake District is now entering its second year.
The Nature Rich Miterdale project aims to create habitats to increase numbers of wildlife species and build a resistance to climate change.
Targeted species include spotted and pied flycatcher, redstart, ring ouzel, twite, tree pipit, and cuckoo, many of which are in decline across the UK.
Forestry England, the National Trust and the University of Leeds are working together on the scheme.
Plans include planting thousands of native trees including oak, birch and rowan and restore mountain woodland which includes rare species of willow which have almost completely disappeared from Cumbria.
The partners said due to overgrazing and drainage, parts of Miterdale’s natural landscape were in poor condition with degraded wetlands, and non-native species such as rhododendron ponticum were starting to spread.
They said that fences were being replaced and repaired to enable effective grazing management and non-native conifer saplings and the invasive rhododendron will be removed to allow native woodlands to regenerate and thrive.
Professor Dominick Spracklen of the University of Leeds, said: “The project shows how farming, forestry and conservation can work together to help nature recover.
“We are very grateful for the continued support of local communities and local farmers that help make the project a success.
“Support from HSBC UK and the Government’s Species Survival Fund will deliver nature recovery and will help us provide opportunities for communities across West Cumbria to restore their environment.”
Opportunities to volunteer and get involved with habitat management, ecological surveys and citizen science projects are available to help build awareness as well as to support skills development and career progression.
Steve Jolley, project officer for the National Trust, added: “We are running two volunteer days each month to provide opportunities for people to come and help with practical conservation, meet new people and learn new skills.
“It is great to see people in the valley helping to restore their local environment.
“Our volunteer days are free and open to all. We look forward to welcoming new volunteers in the next few months.”
