Thanks for reposting John, much appreciated.

Duddon Valley 20-year nature recovery project begins Project leaders hope to restore meadows, woodlands and temperate rainforest in Cumbria.

We're in't news a bit this week. Well someone is.
@universityofleeds.bsky.social @envleeds.bsky.social @nationaltrust.org.uk @unitedutilities.bsky.social @forestryengland.bsky.social

Duddon Valley 20-year nature recovery project begins - BBC News share.google/kJgJrIt8pNTl...

On Your Farm - Landscape Recovery in the Lake District - BBC Sounds Caz Graham hears about a Landscape Recovery project in Cumbria’s Upper Duddon Valley.

As ever a very well researched report from Caz Graham of BBC Radio 4's On Your Farm. Interviews with several farmers from the project & other colleagues. But why does my hat look weird? @universityofleeds.bsky.social

Landscape Recovery in the Lake District - BBC Sounds share.google/2jiC64OsnQB5...

I'll have catch up with that, thanks for the reminder. We were out planting wood pasture that day.

I'm typing as fast as I can...💻!

Restoring Hardknott Forest

A lot* of people have been asking what'll be in the Spring newsletter. Pine martens are featured in a detailed blog about the Cumbrian reintroduction, there's info on lichens & galls, volunteering events & more.

Sign up link here ➡️ mailchi.mp/1dd189bd3314...

(*No-one. No-one has asked me.)

We'll be bringing our interactive and slightly educational stall to the Ulverston Volunteering Fair next month. Come along and ask us about what we do. Details below. Please share.
@cumbriacvs.bsky.social
@forestryengland.bsky.social
@cumbriauni.bsky.social

Great mix of suitable species, natural looking planting. We weren't involved back then (the farmer did the planting himself) but the high survival rate says a lot. Could also be lucky with weather, as drought has a big impact.

Thanks John. Much appreciated.

Cockley Beck farm in the Upper Duddon has one of the best planted areas of woodland we've seen. Really good survival rate. The trees are now ready to come out of their tubes & we're happy to help.
@nfudc.bsky.social
@cumbriacvs.bsky.social
@leedsleaf.bsky.social

We're now offering volunteer days at our new plant nursery. Help us grow trees & wildflowers to plant out in the valley. These days will be less physically demanding than our other volunteer days - but you will still enjoy fantastic views of the Duddon Valley.

www.trybooking.com/uk/FZWG

Restoring Hardknott Forest Volunteer Day: 12th April, 2026 Join us on a volunteer day to help maintain & remove tree tubes, remove non-native conifers, plant trees and wildflowers and allow the natural...

We're removing redundant plastic tree tubes from a local farm on Sunday. Two places left if you fancy helping. Booking link below. Please share ⤵️

@cumbriacvs.bsky.social @forestryengland.bsky.social @futuretreestrust.bsky.social @nationaltrust.org.uk

www.trybooking.com/uk/FWTL

It's bird nesting time. "Give birds space" is good advice from the @rspb.bsky.social.

At Hardknott we plan our volunteering activities and tree work to avoid disturbance to birds at this time of year.

As the weather warms, reptiles are beginning to emerge in the Duddon. Volunteers Helen & Jim spotted a slow worm at our volunteer day yesterday, & project farmer Paddy found a common lizard which he made friends with 😍 (or we let him think that). Hoping to see adders soon.
@arc-trust.bsky.social

Some timely info about ground nesting birds and disturbance.

www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wi...

Good to fit in a couple of visits to the famous Aigas Field Centre whilst in the Scottish Highlands.

Thanks Hannah.

Several pics of downy birch.

On the hunt for the distinctive droppings of pine martens today. Working with the team from South Cumbria Pine Marten Recovery Project, we're checking what effect the translocations to Cumbria has had on the Scottish population they were from.

On the hunt for the distinctive droppings of pine martens today. Working with the team from South Cumbria Pine Marten Recovery Project, we're checking what effect the translocations to Cumbria has had on the Scottish population they were from.

We're up north in the Scottish Highlands (well some of us are) finishing off our pine marten monitoring work after the successful Cumbrian releases. More info in our next newsletter. ⤵️
mailchi.mp/1dd189bd3314...

Here's a quick selection from our Spring residential at the weekend. 2000 trees planted, a few complimentary @northernmonk.bsky.social beers drunk, new friendships made. Great stuff as usual. Full write up and next dates in the April newsletter. Sign up link ⤵️
mailchi.mp/1dd189bd3314...

Congratulations to Dan & Harry, two new staff at Upper Duddon Landscape Recovery, who have passed their chainsaw training. As well as non-native tree removal, they'll be using their new skillz to make larch into posts, boards for leaky dams & raised beds for the tree nursery.
@envleeds.bsky.social

Spring Residential Weekend 13 - 15/16 March, 2026 Join us for a weekend's volunteering staying in the Birks Centre in the heart of Hardknott Forest. The centre has fantastic views over the site,...

Our Spring residential is next weekend, and thanks to generous support from @northernmonk.bsky.social we'll have free beer at this one (and 2000 trees to plant). One ticket left ⤵️ 🌳🍻

@envleeds.bsky.social @leedsleaf.bsky.social

www.trybooking.com/uk/FMUB

Yesterday was a perfect day for collecting juniper berries to grow on in our nursery. Nursery manager Julia is busy preparing growing space, with nursery volunteer days starting soon. Thanks to Chris & George Chinn at High Wallabarrow Farm for showing us their impressive stand of juniper.

(1/4) Our new study in @aer-ese-bes.bsky.social shows that well designed upland #woodlandcreation can avoid high #soilcarbon soils, a key aim of the #WoodlandTrust woodland creation guide principles and UKFS guidance. dx.doi.org/10.1002/2688...

Spring Residential Weekend 13 - 15/16 March, 2026 Join us for a weekend's volunteering staying in the Birks Centre in the heart of Hardknott Forest. The centre has fantastic views over the site,...

Our Spring residential is in 2 weeks and there's 1 ticket left. It's just £65 for the weekend & our supporters @northernmonk.bsky.social are providing some of their excellent beers for free! Come along & help restore habitats & plant trees in the beautiful Duddon Valley.
www.trybooking.com/uk/FMUB

Another successful team up of Upper Duddon Landscape Recovery and @nationaltrust.org.uk staff. 1000 trees planted at Black Hall farm in the north of the valley. Aspen, oak, birch, hazel & willow were added to a couple of existing fenced areas. @lakedistrictnpa.bsky.social @leedsleaf.bsky.social

Proof that no-one listens to me...I specifically said don't take offence.

Great example of teamwork on Harter Fell yesterday, removing a redundant stock fence. With a big chunk already done by the farmer, we were able to get the rest of the fence down & ready to take off the fell. Cheers to teams from Fix the Fells, @nationaltrust.org.uk & Upper Duddon Landscape Recovery.