Reports

Rachel Oakley ‘’Wild Ennerdale’’ 22nd March 23

An update on the Rewilding of Ennerdale.

Despite being involved with Wild Ennerdale for over 25 years, Rachel spends most of her time away from the valley, working with the four agencies which control most of the area – United Utilities, Forestry England, the National Trust and Natural England. They are working to return most of the valley to a more natural state, after years of extraction from the lake and aggressive forestation of the valley sides.

In November 2022, Ennerdale became a National Nature Reserve, bringing protection to the 500+ mapped archaeological sites in the area, which is the best example of a settled medieval valley in the Lake District.

As part of this venture, there will be a gradual move away from sheep farming, apart from the high fell Herdwicks and the introduction of more species such as the Galloway cattle who are now settling well around the lake, which will no longer be part of the public water supply, allowing freshwater mussels and Arctic Char to thrive. There are benefits to the wider community, with improved access, better understanding of our natural surroundings, and the reinstatement of the River Liza flood plain.