11th November 2024

As part of the East Shore Countryside Stewardship scheme, the National Trust is creating 65 hectares of wood pasture along Windermere’s eastern shoreline. This project is set to play a significant role in protecting Windermere by acting as a natural buffer between farmland and the lake, mitigating pollution through reduced runoff and sediment filtration. 

Wood pasture is a blend of open woodland and grassland and serves as a filter, capturing sediment and nutrients before they enter watercourses. This buffer zone helps maintain nutrient-rich soils, enabling the growth of deep-rooted plants that stabilise the soil, further reducing erosion and nutrient runoff into the lake. As a result, Windermere benefits from improved water quality, reduced sedimentation, and a healthier aquatic ecosystem. This initiative will also support biodiversity, offering habitats for various plant and animal species that thrive in wood pasture environments. 

By slowing runoff and filtering pollutants, wood pastures directly contribute to the sustainability of Windermere’s waters. This project is a reminder of how strategic land management can have far-reaching effects on water quality and ecosystem health. 

To find out more about the National Trust’s work in Windermere Our work in Windermere | National Trust.