Organisers are looking for local groups or individuals to run events as part of a festival to encourage people to explore, enjoy and learn about Cumbria uplands.
The Flora of the Fells project plans to run around 100 events in a major festival this year. Festival events run from April through to November throughout Cumbria and the North Pennines and yours could be one of them.
The Festival is being developed and co-ordinated by the Friends of the Lake District and builds on the success of previous festivals run in 2004, 2006 and 2008.

Festival Events Officer Sue Manson says ‘We'd like the festival to involve a wide range of good quality events and activities suitable for people of all backgrounds, abilities and ages run by a wide range of groups and organisations. For 2010 we are looking for events in the vicinity of the Kendal Limestone areas of Scout and Cunswick Scars, Windermere, Loughrigg, Skiddaw (including Bassenthwaite area), Helvellyn (including Ullswater and Thirlmere valleys), Scafell, Ennerdale, Arnside and Silverdale, Orton Fell and the North Pennines. So if you're part of a group planning to run an event in one of those areas which fits in with the themes of flora, fauna, landscape, or conservation, do contact us and be part of the Flora of the Fells festival.'

The underlying aim of the festival is to celebrate and raise awareness about why the Cumbrian upland landscapes and habitats are key to wildlife and conservation, communities, the economy, culture and the natural resources of the region, and highlight the changes that climate change may have on them. Flora of the Fells also hopes to raise awareness about the work being undertaken by the huge number of organisations working to conserve the Cumbrian uplands.
To be included in the Festival, events should take place ideally from March to November this year. Events do not need to be purely about wildflowers or flora (or involve going up a hill!) but should have a connection with local upland landscapes, habitats, local food, farming, wildlife and conservation, sustainability or climate change.

Festival events could include walks, talks, arts and crafts activities, local food events, outdoor learning and family activities, all ability access, culture, heritage, renewable energy, farm visits, plant identification courses, conservation work, sustainability and climate change activities, renewable energy, outdoor learning, geology, archaeology and many other things - we are open to suggestions!

Sustainability and climate change are underlying themes of the festival in 2010 so we are keen to promote events which are accessible using public or sustainable transport which also includes cycling or walking. The organisers will also be monitoring the carbon footprint of the festival during the year.

If you have an event you'd like to include in the Flora of the Fells festival this year, please contact Sue Manson 01539 733187 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

All events included in the festival will be publicised through the Flora of the Fells festival brochure, an ongoing events listing on our dedicated Flora of the Fells website www.floraofthefells.com and inclusion in regular email mailouts about events.

In addition to the festival the project has developed an education programme with local schools and published a series of booklets and leaflets about the Cumbrian uplands.

The deadline for submission of events to be included in the Festival publicity is the 31 January 2010.

Don't forget, Friends of the Lake District Members go FREE on all festival events under £5 organised by Friends of the Lake District.

The Flora of the Fells project is jointly funded by Friends of the Lake District and Natural England with support from the Lake District National Park Authority and the Tourism and Conservation Partnership.