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In our last edition of this newsletter, we shared with you how in September we visited the Ullswater Catchment Management CIC who has been successful in receiving some Local Investment in Natural Capital (LINC) funding from Defra.
They're exploring funding models which deliver nature recovery and natural flood management works on farms that benefit the natural environment but in a way which is mindful of farming cultures and traditions.
Watch our video from this day now!
Hear firsthand from Danny at Ullswater Catchment Management CIC, as well as our Cabinet Member for Climate, Biodiversity and Environmental Services, Councillor Giles Archibald, and Director of Thriving Places, Angela Jones.
Listen as they talk about how we are working together to making nature recovery a priority and restore, enhance and protect nature while also addressing biodiversity loss in Westmorland and Furness.
Last month, it was confirmed the Cumbrian Partnership - consisting of Westmorland and Furness Council, The Lake District National Park Planning Authority and Cumberland Council - would be one of seven areas allocated funding from the Government's Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund.
The Partnership has been awarded over £15 million to bring forward nutrient mitigation schemes and progress stalled housing development.
Nutrient pollution is an urgent problem for our freshwater habitats and rivers, many of which are internationally important for wildlife. This significant funding empowers us to develop and deliver solutions that unlock much-needed housing, including affordable options, across the affected catchments in Cumbria.
We estimate that, across our areas, at least 13,000 homes are either currently stalled in the planning process or will face future challenges due to nutrient neutrality requirements. Delivering solutions such as land use changes, private sewerage upgrades, treatment wetlands and riparian buffers will enable the development of these homes and ensure we protect our precious habitat sites.
This initiative will help us achieve our strategic goals, foster economic growth and safeguard our environment. We are committed to working closely with our partners and the development industry to accelerate the delivery of these solutions. Together, we will navigate the necessary processes to ensure our solutions are robust, cost-effective and that the right legal frameworks are in place to provide long term benefits.
We're supporting 'Get Cumbria Buzzing, Not Buffering', a partnership between Fibrus and Cumbria Wildlife Trust which works with local communities and landowners to create or restore flower-rich
sites for pollinators at 15 community sites.
Building on the Planting for Pollinators Project, the scheme aims to create areas of wildflower meadow, by introducing native UK northern plant species via seed and plug plants.
Two pieces of council-owned land within Parkview Fields in Barrow were planted up in September following a community planting day. Thanks to all the volunteers for their help on the day, including pupils from South Cumbria Pupil Referral Unit, Mind-in-Furness, and members of the council's Climate and Natural Environment Team!
Parkview Fields is situated in a residential area and near to a school meaning these new flower-rich habitats will not only benefit pollinators but the whole community from local residents and local school pupils, to other site users and a number of community groups who are active locally.
We can't wait for to see the wildflower meadows bloom!
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Last month, the team at North Pennines National Landscape (NPNL) welcomed a group from the council to Hartley Common, near Kirby Stephen, to learn about peatland restoration efforts in the North Pennines.
The area, part of a UNESCO Global Geopark, is a significant habitat which highlights the potential for restored peatland to act as an agent of carbon sequestration and natural solution to climate change.
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Councillor Giles Archibald, our Cabinet Member for Climate, Biodiversity and Environmental Services, and members of the Climate and Natural Environment team were greeted with beautiful blue-sky weather as they were given a tour of the site by the NPNL team.
Experts from the NPNL team were able to explain the environmental damage and wider impacts of degraded peatland, and share their experiences of restoring an area of peatland.
The visit gave us as a council valuable insight into the potential of peatland restoration, an opportunity to exchange ideas, and the chance to discuss possible future carbon credit projects in the area.
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In October, our libraries launched a new ‘Go Green’ collection, a specially curated selection of books aimed at inspiring the local community to take meaningful action towards environmental sustainability.
Available for residents across Westmorland and Furness, this exciting new collection will provide people with free access to a wide range of resources on topics such as climate change, renewable energy, eco-friendly lifestyles and nature conservation. It will also be available in eBook format via the Borrowbox app.
Our libraries are also developing further resources to create Sustainability Hubs with the aim to support community groups and individuals to get together and find ways to engage with climate challenges and connect with the natural environment.
As part of the initiative, residents can also expect a range of information and activities such as ‘Go Green’ events, featuring workshops on sustainable home practices, seed libraries, plant swaps, drop-ins and talks from local environmental experts.
For more information and a full list of titles included in the collection, visit our website.
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Cumbria Wildlife Trust and the Cumbria Innovative Flood Resilience project have launched a new series of Creature Comforts-style animations, showcasing how natural flood management (NFM) can protect communities from flooding, enhance biodiversity, and combat climate change.
Watch the videos and hear from woodland creatures Twiggy, Milligan, Pat, Gill and Isla.
Developed in collaboration with the Environment Agency (EA), Westmorland and Furness Council, Royal Society Protection of Birds (RSPB), National Farmers Union (NFU), Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), and the National Trust, and funded by the EA, these captivating short films demonstrate how working with nature can reduce flood risks, improve water quality, and build climate resilience for homes, businesses, and farms across the region.
These captivating films, narrated by a cast of woodland creatures, illustrate how practical measures can protect homes, farms, and businesses while supporting biodiversity. Twiggy the Red Squirrel, Milligan the Hedgehog, Pat the Cow, and Gill and Isla the Salmon take viewers on an educational journey through the methods and benefits of NFM, from improving soil absorption to removing obsolete weirs and dams.
Natural Flood Management (NFM) is a catch-all term for a variety of landscaping techniques used to hold water back during flood events, which reduce the impact downstream on communities and infrastructure such as bridges.
We’re committed to working with our partners and communities to protect our environment, tackle climate challenges, and ensure a sustainable, resilient future for generations to come.
In Cumbria, we have an ambition to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2037, supporting the goals of the Zero Carbon Cumbria Partnership (ZCCP).
The ZCCP have developed Emission Reduction Action Plans (ERAPs) which focus on four key sectors:
- Buildings
- Consumption, waste and the circular economy
- Farming and other land use
- Transport and Mobility
As a council we have identified key actions within those plans which align with key elements of our strategies and policies and have highlighted areas where we are well positioned to take the lead in implementing actions, and where we can help encourage others to drive lasting, sustainable change for the future.
By working together, we can drive meaningful change across Westmorland and Furness as part of wider Cumbria, and inspire others to join us in creating a greener future.
Read more about the sector groups and ERAPs on ZCCP's website.
Did you know an unbelievable 3 million toys have been thrown in the bin in the last six months? These could have been reused, repaired or recycled.
Children quickly outgrow things and toys can easily pile up - in our cupboards, under the bed, in the toy chest! Research from Recycle Your Electricals revealed that toys are one of the electrical items most likely to be gathering dust in the nation’s cupboards - with nearly 7.5 million unused barbie dream houses, remote control cars, baby toys and electrical kids toys across the UK.
So if you are having a pre-Christmas clear-out of toys and games, and they are in good condition, consider donating these items to your local charity shop. Please check beforehand that they will accept the items you want to donate.
Or, have you got broken toys at home that are looking sad? Why not take them along to your local Repair Café to learn how to get them fixed? At the Repair Café volunteers will look at your broken toy, decide if it can be mended and help you to fix it there and then if it can be repaired.
Looking for gifts for the festive season? Maybe you could buy pre-loved toys and games this year. Have a look in your local charity shop to see what gifts they have for sale.
It's a great way to save a bit of money and help a local charity too.
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Find your nearest repair cafe!
Penrith Repair Cafe - Christmas special!
- Saturday 14 December
- 10am to 1pm
- Eden Arts, The Old Fire Station, Bridge Lane, CA11 8HY
All your usual household items, plus Christmas jumpers, fairy lights and Christmas decorations repaired.
Alston Repair Café
- First Saturday of every month
- 10am to 3pm
- Annex behind the Town Hall, Front Street, CA9 3RF
Kendal Repair Café
- Every second Thursday of the month
- 5pm to 7pm
- Space2Create, Unit 31, The Factory, Castle Mills, LA9 7DE
Ulverston Repair Café
- Second Tuesday of the month
- 6.30pm to 8.30pm
- Croftlands Community Centre, 44 Central Drive, Ulverston, LA12 9JN
Arnside Repair Café
- Last Monday of the month
- 10am to 12pm
- Arnside Educational Institute, Church Hill, Arnside, LA5 0DF
Simple, free advice is available to help you get on top of your bills, save energy and stay warm this winter.
The following organisations can provide advice on energy bills, information about simple energy efficiency measures to keep your home warm and cosy, and details of any funding you may qualify for.
Citizens Advice – visit citizensadvice.org.uk for advice on energy bill payments, dealing with energy debt, and available grants and funding. The service, which covers the whole of Cumbria, is available to private tenants, social housing tenants and homeowners.
Cumbria Community Foundation (CCF) – for more information about the Winter Warmth Fund, visit: cumbriafoundation.org or call 01900 825760.
Cumbria Action for Sustainability’s Cold to Cosy Homes service helps households across Cumbria to stay warm and dry, save money on their gas, electricity and water bills as well as do their bit for the planet by using less energy.
Everyone can get FREE advice over the phone and for households that are eligible, the service can arrange home visits or an advice telephone call from one of their friendly, trained advisers.
The team can help advise on things from free energy saving and draughtproofing equipment, heating and boiler controls, to helping you understand energy bills, meter readings, smart meters and support you with switching tariff as well as identifying – and applying for - insulation and heating improvement schemes and grants.
To get your free advice session or to check if you’re eligible for more support, visit cosyhomes.org.uk visit cosyhomes.org.uk, call 01768 210276 or email office@cafs.org.uk.
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As we decorate the house, add presents beneath the tree and the smell of mince pies and mulled wine wafts its way through the house, it's easy to forget about packaging during the festive season.
But could you rethink your festivities to not only prevent and reduce your waste but save money?
Here are some top festive reduce, reuse, recycle tips:
1. Organise a gift swap. A gift swap can be a fun and sustainable alternative to buying new presents, especially if you're looking to reduce waste and save money. Instead of buying new gifts for everyone, consider hosting a gift swap with friends, family and even colleagues to exchange items you no longer use.
2. Presents to wrap? Why not go for a different look this year and use fabric or reuse old newspapers or magazines. Not only will they stand out in the present pile but save your pocket and help save the environment.
3. Take charge of your batteries. New toys and gadgets often mean new batteries - with people in the UK using 189 million batteries and each household throwing away on average seven batteries over the Christmas period. Why not try rechargeable batteries? And if you are using disposable ones, always remember to recycle them and not to dispose of them in your general household waste as they can cause fires in bin wagons and waste processing plants. Check Recycle Now for nearby recycling points.
4. Shop second hand. Instead of buying brand new clothes, furniture, electricals, toys or garden tools, why not check out Recycle for Cumbria's map of charity shops and reuse organisations to find a bargain while supporting a good cause or sign up to Freegle to give or get something for free.
5. That's a wrap! Remove ribbons, bows and other adornments before recycling wrapping paper and do the scrunch test - if it doesn't spring back it is non-foil and can be recycled.
Visit the Recycle for Cumbria website for lots of useful information.
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Throughout December, Barrow, Kendal, Penrith and Ulverston libraries are offering FREE Christmas jumpers and accepting donations of adult and children's sizes.
Building on the success of the service's World Book Day and Halloween Costume Swaps, it's that time of year to get yourself a new-to-you Christmas jumper.
Customers are welcome to browse the rails and take a Christmas jumper, without the need to donate.
Give a festive jumper a new lease of life, save money and reduce waste.
Why not pop down to one of the libraries and check out their swap rail?
Check our website for opening times.
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St Mary's Hospice Ulverston volunteers will once again be collecting trees on Friday 10 and Saturday 11 January 2025 from LA11, LA12, LA13, LA14, LA15, LA16, LA17, LA18, LA19, LA20 and LA21 postcodes.
Make sure you register online before midnight on 6 January 2025 to be included. You can scan the QR code to the right or register by visiting just-helping.org.uk
The areas in which the charity is collecting trees covers Ulverston, Barrow, Askam, Cartmel, Dalton, Grange-over-Sands and Millom – a significant proportion of the area in which St Mary's Hospice's services operate.
The charities welcome a donation for the collection of your tree. When you give locally, the Hospice are able to spend locally and every single penny they generate is spent directly on delivering care for people in Furness and South Lakes.
No trips to the tip, no needles in car, you will be supporting a local charity AND your tree gets recycled!
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How we talk about climate change can inspire and motivate people to act, or make it feel more overwhelming and confusing than it needs to be.
By understanding the issues, we can help explain to others why it's important to act on climate change, the scale of that action and how to be part of that change on an individual and community level.
To help, we'll be sharing useful links and highlighting some great resources that help explain the main issues.
Hubbub
Hubbub is an award-winning environmental charity that’s all about inspiring action that’s good for the environment and for everyone. They bring businesses, organisations, local authorities and community groups together to create campaigns that make it easier and more possible for all of us to make choices that are good for the environment.
From making leftovers tastier, reuse easier, second-hand the default and communities that are greener and more connected to the environment, Hubbub try to offer everyday solutions that do good, feel good and show how much change is possible when people come together.
Check out their website for hints and tips for sustainable action.
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In this section, you can find links to some of the latest reports, articles, and updates on climate change, biodiversity and nature recovery:
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