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

The partnership was one of seven innovative winners which were revealed on the first day of London Climate Action Week, the largest city-wide climate festival in Europe, happening 22-30 June.

Every year, the Ashden Awards highlight inclusive climate solutions - work that creates a fairer world, as well as lowering emissions and preparing communities for climate threats. 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, supported by the Lund Trust, securing its place after a rigorous assessment and judging process and input from sector experts.

The 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. The work will improve drinking water, absorb carbon, and increase resilience to flooding, drought, and fire in the fight against climate change.

By protecting ancient Atlantic oakwood, restoring upland plants and returning natural processes, Haweswater is a place where wildlife can thrive; from Red Squirrels to Salmon, to Pied Flycatchers, rare Lichens, and the recently recolonised Marsh Fritillary Butterfly the mountainous landscape holds a richness of life.

In 2016, the natural bends were put back into a one-kilometre stretch of Swindale Beck, which had been artificially straightened around two centuries ago. The restoration work was to slow the flow of the river, creating suitable habitat for spawning salmon and trout, improving water quality, and contributing to reducing the risk of downstream flooding.

30,000 plants are being grown of about 50 different native species at the on-site tree and plant nursery and 200,000 native trees have been planted on site since 2011. 200 hectares of peat bog has been restored, helping to capture carbon, 1 km of river has been re-wiggled, and 30 hectares of species-rich wildflower hay meadow has been restored. 300 Cheviot Ewes are farmed alongside 35 Belted Galloway, Highland and Luing cattle and four native Cumbrian Fell Ponies, which all contribute to conservation grazing on the site.

Glen Swainson, RSPB Senior Site Manager at Wild Haweswater said:

“Partnership working with other organisations and local communities is key to ensuring that nature-based solutions within a farmed landscape can be beneficial to the climate and both the economy and the ecology of this rugged part of the Lake District.”

“Thanks to the ongoing conservation work, salmon are breeding once more in the restored Swindale Beck, while dippers and common sandpipers fly overhead. Once scarce Alpine plants are returning to the fells. Ring ouzels, redstarts and pied flycatchers make their nests and rare Marsh Fritillary butterflies have recolonised in the wildflower-rich meadows.”

“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.”

John Gorst, Catchment Partnership Officer for United Utilities added:

“The project at Wild Haweswater showcases nature-friendly farming at its best. As well as delivering fantastic results by enabling nature and wildlife to thrive, it also provides access to nature for the public.”

Ashden, a London-based charity, has been spotlighting transformative climate solutions for more than 20 years through its prestigious Ashden Awards scheme, shining a spotlight on innovators from the public, private and non-profit sectors.

The 2024 Ashden Awards champions were chosen by panels of expert judges from around the world including academics, business leaders, investors, and journalists.

The winners’ awards ceremony will take place tomorrowat the Institute of Engineering and Technology in London, during London Climate Action Week. Winners will receive financial and strategic support, which will help to continue the landscape scale restoration work that is ongoing at Wild Haweswater.