Meeting boaters where they are: Working Together

The five-day event for boaters, businesses and visitors that is the Shepherds Boat Show hosted at Windermere Marina Village provided the perfect opportunity for us to take all things Love Windermere last month. It was an opportunity to connect face to face with boaters, anglers and water enthusiasts who share a deep love for Windermere and the surrounding area. 

Our stand, put together by the Lake District Foundation, gave people a real sense of what we’re collaboratively working to achieve. We were delighted at how many people stopped to chat, ask questions and share their own experiences and concerns about water quality.  A word of thanks to Shepherd Boat Sales who organised and Windermere Marina Village who hosted the show and gave us a valuable opportunity to share our Love Windermere message with an enthusiastic audience. 

Boaters are a vital part of the story. From fuel and waste management to invasive species awareness, there is so much our boating community can do and is already doing to maintain and improve water quality for generations to come.  

It was heartening to see so much enthusiasm and willingness to learn about the Love Windermere Action Plan and the 33 practical actions that we are taking to improve water quality and contribute to restoring the ecological health of the Windermere catchment. Every conversation that we had was a reminder of why this work matters and how much can be achieved when communities come together around a shared goal. Everyone was keen to find out how they can play their part. 

Why Your Actions Matter 

Windermere’s health depends on collective action. Every boater who uses pump out facilities for their wastewater, prevents spills, and stops invasive species helps maintain clear waters, thriving wildlife, and safe recreation spaces. Cleaner waters mean better experiences for swimmers, anglers, and everyone who loves the lake.  

Call to Action

Join the movement for Greener Boating. Visit Lake District Foundation’s Greener Boating page for tips and resources. Share your greener boating habits on social media and tag #LoveWindermere.  Sign up for our newsletter for seasonal advice and ways to get involved. 

Together, we can keep Windermere beautiful today and for generations to come.