Discover, learn about and enjoy the landscapes and environments that make Cumbria a special place.  At Friends of the Lake District we hope to inspire and inform people of all ages to find out about, explore and connect and help look after the living landscape.

Schools
Our schools work is mainly delivered through two projects: Flora of the Fells and Our Green Space

In our education activities we often work with other environmental organisations and communities. We are also part of the Cumbria Education 21 Group, a network of organisations working in Cumbria on sustainable and environmental education.

Advice and grants are available to help you improve your school grounds for things like wildlife gardens and to develop an outdoor classroom.
See our Environmental Improvement Grant scheme page.
We are always happy for any of our land to be used by schools for learning.

Flora of the Fells Project

The Flora of the Fells project, core funded by Friends of the Lake District and Natural England is about connecting people of all ages and backgrounds with Cumbria’s upland landscapes and environments.

Our education work focuses on schools and young people across Cumbria using direct experience in the outdoor classroom, hands-on activities and helping to develop longer-term sustainable links with local sites. It’s a chance to explore a ‘wilder’ place, discover what makes it special, from tiny arctic alpine flowers or mosses (which have survived since the last ice age), habitats, and the geological, natural and human impacts that shape the landscape.

We work mainly with primary schools but also with secondary schools as well as family or youth events. Activities and projects link to the curriculum and are generally cross-curricula Some schools take part in the John Muir Award [link to www.johnmuiraward.org as part of their projects with us.

Young people can get involved in conserving and protecting environments through hands on work, and survey or produce interpretive materials which can be shared with other students, parents and the community.

Our Green Space: This new three year project is about celebrating and enhancing the heritage, cultural, environmental and community value of open green spaces in Cumbria in five areas; Barrow, Wasdale, Newbiggin, Burgh-by-Sands and Great and Little Asby. Several schools and youth groups are also getting involved with the projects; from recording their local history, felt working, photography to research, ecological and historical surveys or producing interpretative materials.

Adults
Learning isn’t just for the young it’s a lifelong thing, which we will think should
be fun and enriching, a chance to try your hand at new skills like dry stone walling or hedgelaying, discover new things or brush up on existing interests, come along to a Flora of the Fells event activity. Previous events have included farm walks,  archaeology and flora walks, poetry picnics, craft or local foods workshops.

We can also arrange talks on any aspect of our work including transport, climate change or how we look after and manage our land.

Farm Events
During 2006 and 2007 Friends of the Lake District supported by the Cumbria Farming Network, The National Trust, Leader +, Cumbria Tourism and Natural England worked with over 50 farmers across the county to organise events on their farms. 



 These events were aimed at raising public awareness about the link between farming and the environment and each one provided a unique opportunity for the public to visit a working farm and hear first hand about the range of work undertaken by farmers and the changes taking place in farming today. 

Many people recognise the value of encouraging the public to visit a working farm and are keen that these types of events can continue in the coming years.  Friends of the Lake District believe it is important that those visiting or living in Cumbria recognise the link between farming and land management and are given the opportunity to learn more about the role farmers play in maintaining our environment. 

We are currently seeking funding to run a three year project ‘Farming Landscapes’ that will be developed in partnership with the Cumbria Farmer Network, many farmers, volunteers and other organisations across Cumbria.  The project will give farmers the opportunity to gain the necessary skills and confidence to develop resources and host their own public events aimed at raising awareness about local produce and the link between farming, food and the landscape.  If you would like to get involved or want further information please contact Carol Douglas on: 01539 720788 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it