19th October 2023

Santander UK has agreed to support the National Parks Partnerships and global impact company Palladium in the project known as Revere.        

The first phase of Revere’s work in the Lake District was funded by Estée Lauder Companies UK and Ireland.

Over 400 hectares of riparian woodland and wetland creation opportunities across the Windermere catchment area were identified for as locations where planting would lead to a reduction in the amount phosphorus entering the lake. Support by Santander UK will enable the next phase of the nature financing platform design work to take place.

“The landscapes of the Lake District provide enjoyment to millions of people every year, but they also provide opportunities by enhancing water quality, improving biodiversity and adapting to the impacts of climate change by reducing flood risk,” Richard Leafe, Chief Executive of the Lake District National Park Authority, said. ”In Windermere we’re continuing to work with experts and the community through the Love Windermere partnership, taking an evidence-based approach to address the current water quality issues.

He added: “With Santander UK’s support, we will be able to explore new nature-based solutions by unlocking much needed investment. This is an exciting and innovative project that will continue our work towards a healthier lake and surrounding area for everyone to enjoy.”

James Dunne, UK Head of Wealth Management and Insurance at Santander UK said:” It’s fantastic to share the exciting news about the second nature restoration project that Santander is supporting through its partnership with National Parks UK. I had the good fortune to be involved in the first project that delivered peat restoration in the stunning Cairngorms National Park. The second sees us supporting this innovative collaboration to deliver landscape restoration at scale in the inspiring Lake District.”

Love Windermere’s landscape management working group are overseeing the project, one of a number now underway.

“We’ve already seen some of the benefits Revere has brought to the Windermere area by enabling us to identify areas where potential woodland and wetland could be created to generate green finance opportunities,” Andy Brown, Chair of the Love Windermere Partnership, said. “This new partnership will mean we can step up work to use nature as a way of developing solutions to water quality as well as benefiting people, nature and local economy.”