Nature Rich Miterdale

Introduction and aims

The Nature Rich Miterdale project aims to restore a 562 hectares site in the Miterdale Valley, located in the Western Lake District National Park. The project seeks to create a thriving mosaic of wildlife-rich environments, including upland oak-birch woodlands, species-rich grasslands, heathlands, and wet flushes. These restoration efforts will support a wide range of species that have experienced significant decline in the area, such as spotted and pied flycatchers, redstarts, ring ouzels, tree pipits, and cuckoos. Key to the project is the removal of invasive species like Rhododendron ponticum and non-native conifers, which have overtaken parts of the valley. By addressing these issues and repairing stock fences to manage grazing, the project will allow native flora and fauna to recover. Additionally, the restoration of habitats will help mitigate climate change impacts by creating resilient ecosystems capable of withstanding extreme weather events like droughts and floods.

The project has a strong community focus, engaging local people through a volunteer and engagement program. It aims to provide training to help develop new skills and potentially secure employment in the conservation sector. Volunteers will be involved in habitat management tasks such as tree planting, dry stone walling, and ecological monitoring. Collaboration with the National Trust, Forestry England, and the University of Leeds ensures the project benefits from a wealth of expertise and experience. The ultimate goal is to not only restore nature but also empower the local community, particularly in West Cumbria, by fostering engagement with the environment and offering new opportunities for skills development.

Project Officers:
Jack Hatton: j.hatton@leeds.ac.uk
Katherine Andrews: k.m.andrews@leeds.ac.uk

More information on the progress of the project here.

Booking links for volunteer dates are here.