Friends Of The Lake District Celebrates Three Shortlists In National Awards
Friends of the Lake District has secured three national award shortlist places, recognising its conservation work and two dedicated team members.
The conservation charity has been shortlisted in the Campaign to Protect Rural England Centenary National Awards, which celebrate achievements in protecting the countryside as the organisation marks its 100th anniversary. The three nominations recognise different aspects of the charity's work, from restoring habitats and encouraging community participation to celebrating individuals who have spent years supporting rural landscapes. The shortlisted entries highlight the contribution of local conservation projects and volunteers working to protect the natural environment across Cumbria.
One of the nominations recognises Dam Mire Wood in Threlkeld, which has been shortlisted for the Best Green Space Project award. Friends of the Lake District has owned the woodland since 2021 and has expanded the site into an adjoining field to create a space intended to benefit both wildlife and local communities. The project has brought together practical habitat improvements and opportunities for people to experience nature, demonstrating how conservation work can support biodiversity while making green spaces more valuable to the surrounding area.
Volunteers and local schoolchildren have played an important role in developing the Dam Mire Wood site. Their work has included planting 1,000 trees, creating 60 metres of hedgerow and installing nesting boxes to provide additional opportunities for wildlife. Log dams have also been introduced to help slow the flow of water along becks that are vulnerable to flooding. These measures combine habitat creation with practical environmental management, helping improve conditions for wildlife while addressing some of the challenges associated with water movement across the landscape.
Further improvements are planned to make Dam Mire Wood permanently accessible to the public. The site is expected to become an open-access area following the installation of new bridges and pathways, making it easier for visitors to move through the woodland and explore its surroundings. The planned improvements will build on the work already completed by volunteers and schoolchildren, connecting the conservation benefits of the project with opportunities for people to spend time outdoors and engage with the natural environment.
The charity's second nomination recognises Jack Ellerby, a Kendal resident who has been shortlisted for the Countryside Changemaker award. Ellerby spent more than 20 years working for Friends of the Lake District, contributing to projects designed to protect rural landscapes and encourage greater public involvement in conservation. His work has included initiatives focused on dark skies, caring for the fells and improving hedgerows and field boundaries, leaving a lasting contribution to environmental work across the county.
During his career with the organisation, Ellerby originated Dark Skies Cumbria, an initiative highlighting the importance of protecting naturally dark skies from excessive artificial lighting. He also introduced annual fell care days, encouraging people to participate in practical activities that help maintain the Lake District's upland landscapes. Another of his contributions was the Hedges and Edges project, which focused attention on the value of hedgerows and field margins within the wider countryside. These initiatives reflect his longstanding interest in practical conservation and the protection of rural environments.
Although Ellerby has stepped back from formal employment with the charity, he continues to volunteer and share his practical knowledge with others. His ongoing activities include conservation work and dry stone walling, helping maintain traditional landscape features while supporting the skills needed to care for the countryside. His nomination recognises not only his previous professional contribution but also his continued commitment to protecting the places and traditions that help define Cumbria's rural character.
The third nomination is for Stephanie Gardiner, who lives in Grange-over-Sands and has been shortlisted for the Young Countryside Changemaker award. Gardiner first joined Friends of the Lake District as a volunteer in 2023 before being appointed an engagement trainee in 2025. Her progression reflects the opportunities available for young people to become involved in environmental work, develop practical experience and take on greater responsibility in projects that connect communities with the countryside.
Last year, Gardiner led the Go Wild Under the Stars project, which engaged more than 300 primary schoolchildren across Cumbria in activities addressing light pollution. The initiative encouraged young participants to consider how artificial lighting affects the natural environment and why dark skies matter for wildlife and people. By bringing the subject into educational activities, the project introduced children to an environmental issue that is often less visible than other forms of pollution, while creating opportunities to learn about conservation through direct engagement.
Gardiner also launched a youth voice project aimed at young people aged between 18 and 25. The initiative provides a way to involve younger generations in conversations about the countryside and the issues affecting rural landscapes. Encouraging young people to contribute their views can help conservation organisations understand their priorities and develop activities that connect with a wider range of communities. The project forms another part of Gardiner's contribution to the charity's work, combining youth engagement with the broader objective of protecting Cumbria's landscapes.
Colin Walker, chief executive of Friends of the Lake District, said the organisation was proud of all three nominees and welcomed the recognition provided by the national awards. He highlighted the breadth of work represented by the nominations, ranging from planting hedgerows and protecting dark skies to caring for the charity's land and campaigning for landscape protection. His comments emphasised that the shortlist places reflect different but complementary contributions to the organisation's conservation objectives.
The awards also provide an opportunity to recognise how environmental protection depends on a combination of projects, practical skills and community involvement. Dam Mire Wood demonstrates what can be achieved through habitat improvements and participation by volunteers and schoolchildren, while Ellerby's work highlights the value of long-term commitment to countryside management. Gardiner's projects show how conservation initiatives can involve younger generations through education and opportunities to participate in discussions about environmental priorities.
The shortlisted nominees will attend an awards celebration at the Houses of Parliament on Thursday, 29 October, when the winners are due to be announced. The ceremony will bring together people and projects recognised for their contributions to protecting rural landscapes and communities. For Friends of the Lake District, the three nominations provide national recognition for its work in Cumbria and the individuals helping deliver its conservation aims. The final results will determine whether the charity, its woodland project or either nominee receives an award.
The triple shortlist highlights the variety of work taking place to protect Cumbria's natural environment, from improving woodland habitats and managing water flow to preserving dark skies and encouraging young people to become involved in conservation. With Dam Mire Wood preparing for permanent public access and both nominees continuing their contributions to countryside protection, the recognition draws attention to ongoing efforts to support the county's landscapes. The awards ceremony will provide the next opportunity to celebrate these achievements when the winners are announced later in October.
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