Paul McDougall, owner of Elder Grove Bed and Breakfast, planted two ash trees to offset carbon generated by his business and to celebrate Climate Change Week. Elder Grove B&B won Cumbria Tourism's Sustainable Tourism Award in 2010, which Friends of the Lake District helped judge, for reducing their water and energy use, recycling up to 90% of their waste and attempting to source all of their food and goods from within Cumbria. Paul said: ‘As part of our entry to the North West Tourism Awards, we also decided to offset the carbon produced by printing and photocopying the materials needed to enter. It was really great to be able to help out and plant the trees too.'

David Willan Fine Foods had an elm tree planted as part of their new Corporate membership of Friends of the Lake District.

Friends of the Lake District bought land at the Helm in 2007 and have opened it up for local people to enjoy on foot. Judith Moore, Policy Officer at Friends of the Lake District said: ‘We're really pleased that businesses have supported us by planting trees. This is also important as part of increasing woodland in Cumbria, as trees are clearly valued by many people as shown by so much recent interest in the Government's proposed forest sell off.'

If you would like to make a donation towards more tree planting by Friends of the Lake District to celebrate a loved-one or an event, or to increase the green credentials of your business please contact David Baker, fundraiser at Friends of the Lake District on 01539 720788 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .