On 16th November, a group of Green Lancaster volunteers headed up to Cumbria for an ECOWoods field trip with Wild Haweswater.

Wild Haweswater is a is a joint initiative between the RSPB and United Utilities. At the heart of this rugged Lake District landscape, nature restoration works alongside hill farming, for nature, water and people. Ancient Atlantic oakwood are protected, uplands, woodlands and natural processes restored, rivers re-naturalised, peat bogs rewetted, and floodplains reconnected.

We spent the day in Swindale valley, where we were joined by two members of the Haweswater team, Spike and Jo, Warden and Tree Nursery Office respectively. They gave us an introduction to the site and the wider project and facilitated the day’s activity. We got to volunteer in a wonderful setting, surrounded by Lake District fells, soaring buzzards, a recently re-naturalised Swindale Beck, and under a lovely autumn sun.

We helped the project by removing 10-year old tree tubes that were no longer needed from the landscape. This will ensure that plastics are removed from the environment. Alders, hawthorns and blackthorns had taken particularly well and releasing them from their tubes was satisfying, knowing that they will keep growing for many years to come, slowly increasing tree cover in this beautiful valley. Our volunteers did a great job and we collected six 1-tonne bulk bags of them!

After an al-fresco packed lunch where we got to chat with Spike and Jo further about their exciting project, we finished off collecting tree tubes and then headed over to Naddle Farm at the northeastern end of Haweswater Reservoir. There, we were given a tour of their tree nurseries where they grow a myriad of native trees from seeds and cuttings. Their set up was impressive and an inspiration for our own micro tree nursery at the ECOHub. They specialise in part in growing juniper, a species that is in decline and threatened by a fungal disease and yet used to be part of the local landscape. In addition to trees, the project also grows wildflowers to increase biodiversity in the area.

Wild Haweswater runs several initiatives to help nature recover alongside regenerative farming practices. They have been tree planting for over twenty years across Swindale valley and the fells surrounding Haweswater reservoir. They have rewiggled the river, allowing it to regain its natural course, creating floodplains and diverse ecosystems. They have reinstated traditional hay meadows. As mentioned, they have set up an impressive tree nursery where they grow countless native species. They have reduced their sheep flock from 1500 to 300 Cheviot sheep and implemented specific grazing practices moving them to new locations often so that one area does not become overgrazed. They have set up hides from which to observe red squirrels, birds and badgers. They have implemented a Celebration Wood where each tree represents an important moment or person, planted by members of the public and families. And last but not least, they have helped raise the profile of natural climate solutions and ecosystem restoration. To find out more about the project’s vision for Haweswater’s future, read this article or watch this video.

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