Well what a year it turned out to be for the HLF Conserving Coniston & Crake project. News came in June that the Heritage Lottery Fund bid had been successful so then it was full steam ahead. The Project Officer and the Communities & Engagement Officer were appointed and work began on delivering the conservation and community projects.

  

One of the first conservation projects to get under way was at Thurston Outdoor Education Centre with the naturalising of a new water channel which had been created as part of their hydro power project. The channel, due to be connected in June 2018, now has slight bends, a fish friendly bottom and trees, creating good habitats that will mature over the coming years. The 120 trees were planted by Conserving Coniston & Crake’s new volunteer team in less than two hours. The volunteers have also done some coppicing work along Torver Beck. Some of the other conservation projects are due for completion early 2018.

Conserving Coniston & Crake has been out and about in the community at the Coniston, Torver and Lowick shows. There was a good turnout at the Family activity day jointly hosted with the National Trust at Hoathwaite. Over 20 people attended the bat walk led by local ecologist John Martin at Water Park – plenty of bats were spotted too!

  

So what about 2018?

The calendar will start with a walk on 2nd February to celebrate World Wetlands Day, showing why these are important habitats within the catchment (and the wider world!) Birds and bats will see habitat improvements as too will freshwater minibeasts, salmon and trout.More exciting things are being planned so watch this space……….