More wildflowers are set to flourish across Eden thanks to additional funding to support pollinators.
Following the success of four Planting for Pollinators sites in Eden last year, Westmorland and Furness Council’s Eden Locality Board has funded two further sites for this year (2025/26).
Almost £12,000 of funding has been allocated by the Board’s Climate Action and Increasing Biodiversity Working Group to restore meadows this autumn at Hutton Roof Green and Shap Playing Field. This builds on the work at four community sites across Eden which have already benefitted from funding to plant: Fairhill Recreation Ground (Alston), Carleton Park (Penrith), Otteriggs Field (Salkeld Dykes) and Edensyde (Kirkby Stephen).
Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s expertise and guidance once again played a vital role in the success of recent seed sowing and planting days, helping to create more pollinator-friendly habitats across the Eden locality.
Planting took place over two days across the two sites with volunteers – including those from the local parish councils and primary school – coming together in their numbers, bringing with them not only a strong sense of community spirit but a shared passion to tackle biodiversity loss and enhance nature. Their combined efforts have resulted in the planting of 3,000 Cumbrian wildflower plugs, increasing the area of flower-rich habitat to support local pollinator populations and in turn increasing habitat connectivity for insects to move across our towns, parishes and countryside.
Councillor Lorna Baker, Chair of the Eden Locality Board, said:
“The success of the Planting for Pollinators project in Eden so far has been pleasing, with Cumbrian species carefully chosen to make a sustainable addition to our environment. It has been inspiring to see our communities come together with enthusiasm to improve their local spaces.
“Building on last year’s success, we are excited to see this next phase of planting at these two new sites. They provide vital habitats for pollinators but will also brighten our green spaces. Wildflower meadows flourish in poor soil of little direct agricultural use but by increasing the numbers of pollinators these marginal areas indirectly improve crop yield, which is useful in this rural area.
“We are grateful to Cumbria Wildlife Trust, the local parish councils and all the volunteers whose dedication made this recent planting possible.”
Tanya St. Pierre, Grassland and Pollinator Team Manager for Cumbria Wildlife Trust, added:
"We’re hugely grateful to have received further funding from Westmorland and Furness Council to continue our Planting for Pollinators work with communities in Eden.
"Over spring and summer, we surveyed community sites across Eden, providing recommendations for groups to help pollinators on their land, and set out in search of pollinators during community walks. Through the funding, we’ve been able to support two sites directly with pollinator habitat enhancements this year.
"We’re delighted to be working closely with Mungrisdale and Shap Parish Council across two community sites to create wildflower habitat. With over 3,000 wildflowers planted, we’re helping to transform these green spaces for pollinators and people to enjoy. Thanks to everyone who came along to give local pollinators a helping hand whilst meeting like-minded people and learning about creating habitat for pollinators.”
By bringing together conservation specialists and community volunteers, this collaborative effort represents a significant step towards reversing the decline of Cumbria’s pollinators, conserving biodiversity, and promoting long-term environmental sustainability.
For more information, email pollinators@cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk
