Landscape award for wild valley

Landscape award for wild valley

AN ambitious and groundbreaking landscape project which is transforming a remote Lake District valley has been recognised by judges of a prestigious national award.

The Wild Ennerdale Partnership, which is returning the valley to a more natural eco-system, has received a commendation by the UK Landscape Award 2010 – only one of three schemes in the north west to do so.

John Gorst, United Utilities biodiversity officer with the Wild Ennerdale Partnership, said: “I am overjoyed that the project has been commended.

“We have been working hard to transform the environment of Ennerdale by reducing the impact on the landscape made by man and by reintroducing native tree species as well as helping important species of wildlife thrive.”

Gareth Browning, Forestry Commission area forester with the partnership, said: “We could not have received this commendation were it not for the hard work and dedication of all the partners and the brilliant support we have had.”

This is the first year of the UK Landscape Awards. Created by the European Landscape Convention, they aim to demonstrate the power landscapes can have on benefiting communities.