Wild Haweswater, a partnership between the RSPB and landowner United Utilities, has won the annual Ashden Award for Natural Climate Solutions.

More than 500 organisations applied for the 2024 Ashden Awards and Wild Haweswater was one of just two finalists in the Nature-based Solutions category.

This prestigious award is recognition of the landscape restoration work at Wild Haweswater, from the re-wiggling of Swindale Beck, to establishing Mardale Mountain Meadow, from re-wetting peat bogs, to nature-friendly farming, planting tens of thousands of trees and creating the largest native tree and plant nursery in the Lake District.

All to restore the rugged landscape, improve drinking water, absorb carbon, and increase resilience to flooding, drought, and fire in the fight against climate change.

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Glen Swainson, RSPB Senior Site Manager at Wild Haweswater said: “We’re delighted to receive this award and its only thanks to all our staff, volunteers and partners that so much has been achieved at Wild Haweswater.

“We are, however, in a nature and climate emergency and need to do so much more collectively to achieve our vision for net zero, restoring habitats, harnessing renewable energy, and supporting nature friendly farming for the benefit of nature, climate and people.”