Join the Green Lancaster team on an ECOWoods practical field trip to Restoring Harknott Forest in the Lake District and contribute to restoring one of the largest conifer plantations in the Lake District National Park to native woodland. 

As part of this field excursion, we will join Project Officer John Hodgson in the remote Duddon Valley (Western Lake District). Restoring Hardknott Forest is a partnership project led by the University of Leeds and Forestry England that is designed and implemented as a natural climate solution with specific benefits to nature and people. Non-native Sitka spruce is gradually being clear-felled, with emergent saplings removed to allow native broadleaf woodland to naturally regenerate, and thus restore and reconnect ancient woodland within the Duddon Valley and in the long-term nearby Eskdale. 

After a site introduction and briefing, we will walk along forest tracks to the work site (approximately 45 minutes walking time). The task will include removal of non-native and self-seeded Sitka Spruce, to enable neighbouring naturally regenerating native broadleaf trees to grow as part of the native woodland restoration. We will remove the spruce using hand tools such as loppers and pruning saws (provided on site). Some trees will be brough back to Lancaster and repurposed as sustainable Christmas trees.  

All volunteers joining this field trip will need to bring warm and waterproof clothing, sturdy footwear such as hiking boots, as well as a packed lunch and warm drink. It will be possible to borrow equipment from Green Lancaster if necessary.  

Please note this activity requires a reasonable level of fitness due to the terrain, planned activities and walking distance to the work site. Please contact the Green Lancaster team on green@lancaster.ac.uk if you have any questions related to accessibility requirements. 

Full details will be circulated by e-mail to all registered volunteers during the week commencing 28th November. Transport is provided.

Our field trips are a real opportunity and privilege to experience the great outdoors and contribute to significant projects across the country that tackle the climate and ecological emergency. If you have booked a place but are no longer able to attend, please cancel your ticket to enable someone else to benefit from this opportunity. Thank you.