23rd January 2025

The Lake District Foundation has raised over £125,000 in grant funding from Westmorland and Furness Council and Lake District National Park Authority’s Farming in Protected Landscapes to support vital work to reduce nutrient runoff from farms into the Windermere

Local farmer, Hannah Towers, is leading this extensive farm engagement programme, which aims to improve understanding of the current nutrient load in soils, inform ways of reducing the load and enable farmers to develop strategies to prevent runoff from entering the water course. So far, 35 farms have signed up for the programme (covering over 60% of the catchment), with soil samples from farms currently being analysed to inform nutrient management plans produced by Paul Arkle from Cumbria Farm Environment Partnership.

“The project has given farmers a means to voice their concerns about the future of sustainable farming in the Windermere Catchment.  Our engagement events have allowed like-minded farmers to meet and learn about soils and available grants in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere and to share experiences, exchange knowledge, and build stronger relationships” Hannah Towers, Love Windermere Farm Liaison officer.

The Lake District Foundation and the Love Windermere partnership aim to build on the programme’s success by supporting further work with local farmers to identify flow paths and develop strategic planting initiatives that will reduce flooding and erosion, which affects water quality in Windermere.