West Lakeland CIC
Gardeners
West Lakeland CIC
2, Seascale
# West Lakeland Farmer-Led Nature Recovery CIC
West Lakeland CIC is a community interest company based in Seascale that champions sustainable, nature-friendly farming across the upper Wasdale and Ennerdale fells and commons. Founded on the principle that community action can drive meaningful environmental and economic change, the organisation brings together farmers, land managers and local communities to map, assess and celebrate Cumbrian landscapes whilst securing the future of traditional hill farming.
The organisation serves farming communities, environmental stakeholders and local residents who share a commitment to preserving both agricultural heritage and ecological health. They work directly with farmers to record existing practices, identify improvement opportunities and create viable pathways for skilled workers to remain in rural communities.
What distinguishes West Lakeland CIC is their farmer-led approach—rather than imposing external solutions, they harness local knowledge and wisdom to inform decision-making. Funded by Defra and Lake District National Park, they focus on practical outcomes: reducing farming's carbon footprint, increasing biodiversity through species-rich corridors, and ensuring next-generation farmers can build sustainable livelihoods. Their work transcends typical conservation by addressing economic viability alongside environmental outcomes, creating a replicable model for rural communities beyond Lakeland. By positioning farming as part of the solution to climate change and biodiversity loss, they challenge the narrative that agriculture and nature conservation are in conflict.
West Lakeland CIC is a community interest company based in Seascale that champions sustainable, nature-friendly farming across the upper Wasdale and Ennerdale fells and commons. Founded on the principle that community action can drive meaningful environmental and economic change, the organisation brings together farmers, land managers and local communities to map, assess and celebrate Cumbrian landscapes whilst securing the future of traditional hill farming.
The organisation serves farming communities, environmental stakeholders and local residents who share a commitment to preserving both agricultural heritage and ecological health. They work directly with farmers to record existing practices, identify improvement opportunities and create viable pathways for skilled workers to remain in rural communities.
What distinguishes West Lakeland CIC is their farmer-led approach—rather than imposing external solutions, they harness local knowledge and wisdom to inform decision-making. Funded by Defra and Lake District National Park, they focus on practical outcomes: reducing farming's carbon footprint, increasing biodiversity through species-rich corridors, and ensuring next-generation farmers can build sustainable livelihoods. Their work transcends typical conservation by addressing economic viability alongside environmental outcomes, creating a replicable model for rural communities beyond Lakeland. By positioning farming as part of the solution to climate change and biodiversity loss, they challenge the narrative that agriculture and nature conservation are in conflict.
Services offered
Landscape mapping and assessmentFarmer-led consultation and advisory servicesCarbon footprint reduction planningBiodiversity enhancement projectsCommunity engagement and educationFarming heritage documentationSustainable land management planningClimate adaptation support