Friends of the Lake District is an independent charity (no.1100759) and the only membership organisation dedicated to protecting and enhancing Cumbria’s landscapes. We represent CPRE – The Countryside Charity in Cumbria.
Our vision is for thriving Cumbrian landscapes – for nature, for people, for ever.
- We campaign for landscapes that are tranquil, rich in cultural heritage and environmentally healthy.
- We inspire and mobilise people to work in partnership with us to protect and enhance these landscapes for generations to come.
- We lead by example in demonstrating sustainability and conservation on the land that we look after.
Our values guide the way in which we work:
We make an impact.We are committed to ensuring that what we do makes a real difference both to the landscapes of Cumbria, and to the lives of the people who live, work and visit here. We take time to reflect on our work, admitting and learning from our mistakes, so we can become more effective.
We are experts. We draw on our expertise to make the strongest case for protecting and enhancing Cumbrian landscapes, and we are generous about how we share it.
We collaborate. We know that teamwork and partnership-working are essential, and we foster good working relationships within our own charity and with other organisations. We collaborate in order to inspire and empower public authorities, allies, and communities to take action.
We are positive. We work with enthusiasm and passion, and we inspire others to do the same. We take pride in what we do and celebrate our successes as a team, recognising the efforts made by staff, Trustees, volunteers, and members to deliver results.
We care. We care for each other and encourage one another to cultivate a healthy work life balance. We recognise the positive effects that being out in the landscape can provide and encourage everyone to access this wonderful resource. We are inclusive and actively look for opportunities to widen diversity among the people we interact with as a charity.
Why Landscape Matters: a Landscape Charter for Cumbria and the Lake District
The Landscape Charter has been created to explain why landscape matters to everyone, to affirm Friends of the Lake District’s commitment to protecting the remarkable landscapes of Cumbria and to highlight how we will work towards supporting a living, working, wildlife friendly and culturally rich landscape in Cumbria.
A bit about our history…
Friends of the Lake District started at a public rally in Fitz Park, Keswick on 17 June 1934. A group of passionate people launched an association with the aim of protecting the beauty and traditions of the landscape, while ensuring the public had access to it. They also began to campaign for the Lake District’s status as a national park.
In 1951 our campaigning finally led to the creation of the Lake District National Park – one of the first national parks in the country. But our work didn’t stop there. Today we continue to be a strong voice for the landscape – campaign against threats and challenges, alongside carrying out practical conservation work and projects to inspire others.
Read out 2024 Manifesto for Cumbria’s landscapes here.
Check out the Frequently Asked Questions about our work here.
