South Cumbria has enjoyed several wildlife success stories, from the successful breeding of Ospreys at Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve to the thriving seal population at Walney Island.
According to Natural England however, only 10 per cent of land in the Lake District is in favourable condition for wildlife.
Cumbria Wildlife Trust also estimates that only 15% in the whole of Cumbria can be reliably said to be ‘protected for nature’.
READ MORE: The remote Furness valley leading the way in landscape recovery
A government target of 30% is needed by 2030 and as such, there are many volunteers and experts who are dedicated to protecting and looking after what we have left.
Whilst it is important to enjoy our wildlife success stories, it must be remembered that this wildlife needs a healthy and thriving environment.
Here are six important nature projects in South Cumbria, unique in the UK, that you may not have heard of.
BOOM (Back on our Map)
Back On Our Map is a pioneering project supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and hosted by the University of Cumbria.
The project works with communities to reintroduce locally threatened or extinct species to South Cumbria.
Species include the pine marten, hazel dormouse, small blue butterfly and many more.
The Upper Duddon Landscape Recovery Project is aiming to not just on conserve one or two species - but whole ecosystems on a landscape scale.
It represent hundreds of farmers, landowners and nature experts working together to deliver significant environmental change.
Together, they are working restore rivers, boost biodiversity and much more in 3,000 hectares of the Upper Duddon catchment.
Clawthorpe Fell
South Cumbria has some of the richest and most important examples of limestone pavement which survives in the country.
With only 2,000 hectacres remaining, limestone pavement is one of the UK’s rarest and most vulnerable wildlife habitats.
Taken over by Cumbria Wildlife Trust in 2022, work is being done to protect the precious pavement that houses distinctive plants which attracts insects wildlife.
Blelham Bog
Blelham Bog to the northwest side of Blelham Tarn near Windermere is an important site for rare invertebrates, including a rich population of rare caddisflies and the rare snail Vertigo liiljeborgi.
Although small, the site contains a number of Sphagnum moss species, aromatic bog myrtle, delicate cotton-grass and the tiny white-beaked sedge.
Duddon Mosses is one of the few remaining peatland habitats in England.
Recognised for its international importance, this quiet haven is hidden at the top of the Duddon Estuary
It provides a welcome sanctuary for plants, animals and human visitors alike.
The nationally rare and distinctive moss Sphagnum pulchrum can be found here as well birds of prey such as buzzards and barn owls.
Water-loving birds such as waders and pink-footed geese enjoy the tranquillity of the reserve in winter-time.
The Earnse (Environment & Arts Resource for Neighbourhood, for Schools, for Everyone) project launched just last week.
It is aiming to build a deeper bond between the local community and their natural heritage on Walney Island - home to the only grey seal colony in Cumbria.
Named after the beautiful sand and shingle found at Earnse Bay, the project is a partnership between Natural England, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Westmorland and Furness Council, and local arts charity, Art Gene.
The scheme includes creating opportunities to help people connect to nature with activities with plans to building of a community space due to open in 2026.
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