Volunteers on last year's Ennerday Fell Care Day. Photo: Rob Grange
A litter pick by canoe is just one of the activities on offer at an upcoming mass volunteering event in the Lake District.
Conservation charity Friends of the Lake District is inviting applications from outdoor fans to help in this year’s first Fell Care Day at Ullswater.
Other tasks available as part of the Flora of the Fells project include footpath repair, drystone walling, a litter pick on foot, clearing drains on a variety of nearby walks and filming or making tea and cakes for the hungry volunteers.
Children from Patterdale and Penruddock schools will be planting native flower bulbs, coppicing, stream dipping, making bat and bird boxes and creating a squirrel hide.
More than 20 groups and organisations are taking part including volunteers from Friends of the Lake District, the Lake District National Park Authority, the National Trust, the Ullswater Association, the Dry Stone Walling Association, Ullswater College, Eden Rivers Trust, and Ullswater Steamers, plus many individuals from Cumbria and visitors from further afield.
Glencoyne Farmer Sam Hodgson will be helping with the walling task on the high fells above Glenridding.
Sue Manson, Flora of the Fells project officer said: “By looking after the upland fells we can help reduce the impacts of flooding and improve water quality, look after the carbon stored in woodland, soils and peat and create better habitats for wildlife.
“The Fell Care Day’s also a great chance to get fit and do something fulfilling in an amazing setting.
“It’s a great buzz to be a part of an event like this with everyone coming together to play a key part to help the environment. Whether you’re an experienced volunteer or someone new, we hope we’ve got something to suit everyone, so please book your place now.”
Last year, 200 people, 130 schoolchildren and 33 organisations took part in two Fell Cares Days at Helvellyn and Ennerdale, completing the equivalent of 145 volunteer work days in just two days.
This year’s event will take place at Ullswater on Thursday 27 September and another Fell Care Day is planned for Thursday 25 October in Windermere.
Details are on the Fell Care Days website and would-be volunteers can also contact Sue Manson by email or on 01539 733187 by Friday 21 September.
