Priorities and actions to find the baselines and make a difference
The emphasis is on a grassroots, farmer-lead nature recovery partnership that recognises the individuality and idiosyncrasies of each valley and works with the community to maintain the uniqueness, character and beauty of each place. It is recognition that the local knowledge, pragmatism, care and dedication of farmers and local communities will create the sustainable and bio-diverse future to the benefit of all.
Local knowledge and experience of traditional pastoral farming practices on the western commons of Kinniside, Stockdale and Nether Wasdale joining the two iconic lakes of Wastwater and Ennerdale is to be collected and collated to create a plan for positive change. A landscape-scale scheme to support local farming, the local communities and to continue nature-positive farming practices, maintain animal welfare standards and produce high quality foods for UK markets and abroad.
Priorities and next steps
There is a lot that we could be doing under the banner of the CIC and we will focus on the priority activities that will enable us to achieve our Mission.
“Farmers recognise the climate crisis and stand ready to do their bit. We just need to find out how best to do it.” Will Rawling, Ennerdale farmer and CIC Director
Baseline assessments and mapping were part of our funding bid, as was the focus on carbon capture and climate change. These initial priorities have been accepted as the basis for the West Lakeland Farmer-Led Nature Recovery CIC but our Farmers and Land Management steering group of local farmers is adding the detail and discussing priorities.
We hope that the areas covered below will form a strong foundation for future developments, additional strands and other local initiatives.
Environmental and ecological baseline assessments
“You can’t manage what you don’t measure.”
Baseline assessments and measurements of biodiversity, farming impact and current hill farming values are essential if we are to have an accurate picture of today and plan for a feasible future. A lot of data and research is already published and we see our prime role as one of bringing it together and presenting it in clear ways that communicate the value, threats and opportunities.
David Morley of Harrison & Hetherington has been walking the commons of Stockdale Moor and Kinniside as well as using aerial imagery for additional information. He has completed a baseline ecological survey, identifying and categorising habitats and assessing their condition and current use to add to the mapping already completed of Nether Wasdale Common.
So far, funding has paid for the time of a small team to meet with farmers to gather information about their farms, their land holdings, their management practices and the wildlife they have observed. This is all about taking time out to discuss and recognise the land’s inherent value for farming as well as for nature and the beauty of the agricultural landscape. Several farmers have given permission for wildlife cameras to be set up on their farms to gather more information too.
This data will be mapped, using an online platform called Land App, to allow farmers to take stock and consider what their planning priorities will be. The CIC will gather these views through the steering group, made up of local farmers, and then plan next steps.
Carbon sequestration
Upland areas provide opportunities for peatland growth and improvement, drainage and water retention and the capture of atmospheric carbon into vegetation. If we can take more CO2 out of the atmosphere and measure this, it will contribute to climate change targets.
There is a lot of carbon currently captured in our uplands and we are aware that there’s probably potential to capture much more. That’s what sequestration is all about. Funding to assess the current carbon sequestration of the commons will allow farmers to explore the options for the future and is an important part of our CIC’s purpose and aims.
Our commons and farmland of West Lakeland have an important role to play and we want to take a wide view of the planning required to improve this process.