Rusland Valley and Coniston Fells from Rusland Heights © Teresa Morris
Rusland Local Support Group
Welcome to Rusland Local Support Group (LSG) information page
Rusland covers a rural and densely wooded area known historically as part of the High Furness Fells in the southern region of the Lake District National Park between Coniston Water and Lake Windermere.
Rusland LSG is an active group of volunteers who organise a range of conservation and learning activities throughout the year.
© John Edmonson
Rusland church © Colin Barr
Stone walling © Marion Brown
The area is characterised by extensive ancient semi-natural woodlands and coniferous plantations, wide open fells, patchworks of pasture, scattered farms and hamlets, and a network of twisting minor roads.
It's a working cultural landscape, with an active farming community. The woods have been coppiced over many centuries, once supporting hundreds of jobs and fuelling a large part of the local economy.
Horse-logging also known as snigging logs.
Scattered through the woods are fascinating remnants of charcoal pitsteads, potash kilns and bark-peelers huts. Oak bark peeling for the tanning industry was also part of the local woodland economy and we have one of the last standing tannery buildings in Cumbria.
The area contains Special Areas of Conservation, Sites of Special Scientific Interest and numerous County Wildlife Sites. The rich mosaic of habitats includes oak woodland, upland moor, hay meadows, flushes, lowland raised bog, fens, mosses, tarns and rivers. It's a haven for many threatened plant, butterfly, moth, bird and small mammal species.
We're also lucky enough to have some remnants of rare temperate rainforest habitat.
Colton Heights © Marion Brown
Background
Rusland Local Support Group, established in 2025, has been formed with the enthusiasm of members and volunteers from in and around the area who originally came together to participate in a Heritage Lottery-funded programme called ‘Rusland Horizons’.
We're a friendly bunch and look forward to growing our volunteer base to help keep our area special.
Activities
Rusland Local Support Group organises a range of conservation and educational activities from hedge and wildflower planting, walling, removal of invasive species, birdsong walks, moth trapping events, and evening talks.
We're also part of the #species project working to restore temperate rainforest in Cumbria.
For more information, sign up to keep up to date on activities or email RuslandLSG@cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk
Register with Rusland Local Support Group
Even if you're already a member of Cumbria Wildlife Trust, or a newsletter subscriber, please enter your details so that we can register you with Rusland Local Support Group.