How you can help

Please donate today to help get this once-in-a-lifetime restoration project up and running!

Your money will initially go towards:

• Carrying out baseline surveys of the wildlife on site
• Sourcing seed and growing native trees
• Tools for volunteers help with our work
• Boundary repairs
• Restoring the 920 acres of peatland
• Planting the first trees on site
• Helping to fund a project officer to oversee the delivery of the restoration

The need for funding is long-term, though the costliest stages will be the initial few years when the need for equipment, tools, specialists and contractors is greatest. 

Can you imagine England’s highest nature reserve?

Our 100-year vision for a wilder Skiddaw Forest:

Take a virtual tour of Skiddaw Forest

This long-term nature recovery project will initially focus on four priorities:

1. Creating Atlantic rainforest

A new broad-leaved temperate rainforest woodland, covering roughly 20 per cent of Skiddaw Forest, will be created over the next 100 years or so. Comprising more than 25 species of locally-sourced native trees and shrubs, the woodland on the slopes and ghyllsides will become a rich haven for lichens and mosses, and a home for upland birds, mammals and plants.

2. Restoring Peatlands

Peat bogs cover an extensive area of the lower slopes and the ‘bowl’ of Skiddaw Forest. At 992 acres, this is probably the largest single area of upland peat in the Lake District. Reversing historic drainage is vital to restore it to a healthy and functioning condition to lock away carbon and reduce flood risk downstream.

3. Improving heathland

Recreating high-altitude scrub and alpine-like grassland across 120 acres will return habitat that’s almost entirely absent from the English uplands. Juniper and a variety of willow species will grow in the harsh conditions of the exposed areas beneath the summits.

4. Safeguarding heritage

The Trust will work to preserve the historic heritage and cultural importance of this iconic mountain. It is open access land and a proportion is common land (the rights aren’t currently exercised) – there will be no change to access arrangements or common rights.

Our vision at a glance:

The story so far

Where is Skiddaw Forest?

Also known as ‘Back o’ Skidda’, Skiddaw Forest is situated in the north of the Lake District National Park.

From the nearby town of Keswick, the Skiddaw Massif dominates the skyline, forming part of the high-altitude bowl that contains Skiddaw Forest. By ascending one of the surrounding fells and gazing down, the vast expanse of Skiddaw Forest is spread out before you. 

Cumbria Wildlife Trust cares passionately about wildlife and wild places – we’re here to put wildlife back into our land and seascapes to make Cumbria a wilder county with more space for nature.

We restore and connect wild places, work with nature to tackle the climate emergency and support people to take local action for wildlife.

With a dedicated team of staff working closely with volunteers, partners and thousands of supporters, together we’re creating a wilder future for Cumbria.

A new future for Skiddaw Forest

Wild and rugged, Skiddaw Forest is a valuable area for wildlife, designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and recognised as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

Beneath much-loved fells, the heathland is home to ring ouzel, red grouse and merlin, whilst extensive peatland is carpeted with sphagnum mosses, sundews and cranberry.

This special site can – and should – be so much more.
From the fell tops to the lower slopes and across a vast expanse of open land, more wildlife will thrive in restored habitats.

Grassy fellsides will be transformed into a delightful natural habitat of low-growing trees; montane scrub will grow in exposed areas below the summits; wetland wildlife will thrive in healthy carbon-storing peatland; rare species will become common once more; and people will be drawn to experience the wilderness.

Be part of this opportunity to create something truly amazing – please donate today.

This continues to be the largest fundraising ask we’ve ever made. Your donation - regardless of size - is crucial to ensuring that the restoration of this iconic piece of land is realised.

If you’re not able to contribute to this appeal at this time, please know that your support as a member, volunteer or supporter is already enormously appreciated and we know you’re doing everything you can.

Thank you

To learn more about the beginning stages of this project, and the first part of our appeal which saw you help us secure the purchase of the highest nature reserve in England, please click on the button below:

The story so far