Organisers of Kendal Calling have pledged to donate £100,000 to Lake District conservation projects over the next five years.
To kickstart the commitment, the music festival has donated £10,000 to Save Windermere.
Andy Smith, co-founder of Kendal Calling, said: “We believe that if we’re lucky enough to put our festival on in this beautiful part of the world, then Kendal Calling should not only celebrate the Lake District, but protect it, too.
“This donation to the wonderful lot at Save Windermere is just the start of a five-year journey, during which we’ll be giving back to the incredible place that makes our festival so special.”
Save Windermere is a campaign group dedicated to ending all treated and untreated sewage discharges into England’s largest freshwater lake.
Matt Staniek, founder of Save Windermere said, “We are incredibly proud and grateful to be supported by Kendal Calling in such an exciting initiative. Water quality impacts each and every one of us, and Windermere is the epitome of the exploitation taking place across the country as our lakes, rivers and seas are being destroyed. Today shows that our voice is growing stronger as we collectively call for an end to sewage pollution in England’s largest lake.”
Kendal Calling celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.
It has taken major and industry-leading steps to reduce its environmental impact, including eliminating single-use plastics across the entire site, and promoting sustainable travel options, to ensuring zero waste to landfill and securing greener energy solutions.
Its ongoing Leave Nothing But Memories campaign encourages festival goers to take their tent and waste away. Last year saw a record 98.93% of tents taken home.
Around 40,000 people are expected to attend this year’s festival, at Lowther Deer Park near Penrith, which takes place from July 31 to August 3.
