2 February 2008
Renewable energy schemes top grants giving
Small-scale renewable energy schemes were just some of the projects to benefit from more than £100,000 of environmental grants awarded last year by Cumbrian conservation organisation Friends of the Lake District. In 2007, a biomass boiler for Eskdale Youth Hostel and hydro-electricity generators for the Heron Corn Mill at Beetham and Gillerthwaite Field Centre in Ennerdale, were among more than 40 projects which were approved by the Friends of the Lake District scheme.
The grants are available to any groups which wanted to carry out work to enhance the local environment and projects supported ranged from supporting large projects like Cumbria Wildlife's restoration of Foulshaw Moss to the refurbishment of a traditional cast iron highway signpost at Little Musgrave. Many grants are awarded to more traditional landscape enhancement projects: £10,000 was given towards dry stone walling on Hampsfell, near Grange-over-Sands and £5,000 went to restoring native woodlands at Great Knott Wood near, Lakeside. However, the trend towards supporting alternative energy sources reflects current concerns about climate change.
'We are used to giving grants for things like tree planting and dry stone walling, but renewable energy is a new and important area for us', said Friends of the Lake District Policy Officer Jack Ellerby, 'Climate change will make a difference to our landscape and its great to be able to support projects which can help reduce its impact.'
Grants are available to groups throughout Cumbria, for more information visit www.fld.org.uk, or phone 01539 720788.
ENDS
Editors Notes:
1. For further information, and details of projects in your area, contact Martin Varley or Jack Ellerby on 01539 720788.
2. Friends of the Lake District is a registered charity committed to enhancing and protecting the landscape and natural beauty of Cumbria and cooperating with other bodies with similar objectives or interests. We are also regional representatives for the Campaign to Protect Rural England, a national charity that helps people keep their local countryside beautiful, productive and enjoyable for everyone.
Our theme for 2008 is 'Connecting People and Place'. Throughout the year we are focusing our work on encouraging people to gain a greater sense of belonging to places in Cumbria where they live, work and visit.
