Lake District hay meadows supported through BMW UK funded Recharge in Nature partnership

£65,000 is being invested into a hay meadow project in the Lake District as part of a nature-friendly farming initiative.

The project to enhance biodiversity on farmland is funded by BMW UK’s Recharge in Nature project, a partnership secured by National Parks Partnerships which will be delivered by Cumbria Wildlife Trust with support from Lake District National Park Authority.

The Lake District’s species-rich grasslands support a variety of flora and fauna including rare and threatened plants, which provide vital nectar sources for pollinators like bumblebees, hoverflies, and butterflies.

The soil microbiota and fungi networks in these grasslands also foster a healthy ecosystem, supporting species from ground beetles to small mammals and birds.

Several sites have already been identified for the project, and between June and September 2025, Cumbria Wildlife Trust are working closely with farmers taking part in the nature-friendly farming initiative to manage seed sowing, transplanting seeds from nearby donor sites.

Claire Foster, Farming Officer for Lake District National Park Authority, said: “In the Lake District, species rich hay meadows have been shaped by centuries of low intensity farming, through a traditional calendar of grazing by sheep and cattle, combined with annual hay-making. These grasslands are typically unimproved or semi-improved, meaning they haven’t been heavily fertilised or reseeded.

“As the Lake District faces increasing challenges, the protection of species-rich grassland is more important than ever. These habitats support nature, traditional farming systems, store carbon, improve soil and livestock health, and support pollinators, enhancing the landscape that underpins our food systems. We’re delighted to have received this funding from BMW UK, which allows us to work with Cumbria Wildlife Trust to raise awareness of the value of traditionally managed hay meadows.”

Tanya St Pierre, Grassland and Pollinator Team Leader at Cumbria Wildlife Trust, said: “We are delighted to be working with the Lake District National Park Authority on this incredibly important project. Species-rich hay meadows are one of the rarest grasslands in the UK, yet the most biodiverse. Providing farmers and landowners with the opportunity to enrich their grasslands with rare and declining native plants, is a great step forward towards helping safeguard their future in Cumbria.”

Entering its third year, the Recharge in Nature partnership between BMW UK and National Parks has seen 81 new electric vehicle charge points installed across the Lake District, Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors, Dartmoor, and Bannau Brycheiniog National Parks over the last two years, with more to come later this year. Each National Park also has its own nature restoration and community impact project funded through the partnership, which includes the hay meadow project. The partnership will see a total of £1 million invested into nature and community projects, as well as putting all fifteen of the UK National Parks firmly on the EV map, installing new charging points at every site.

Emily Barrow, Brands Communications Manager at BMW UK said: “The Recharge in Nature partnership is about making a real impact to the National Parks by enhancing accessibility for drivers of electric vehicles. Through this partnership, we’re proud to be supporting the Lake District to not only increase EV charging access, but the restoration of vital habitats that not only underpins biodiversity, but also plays a key role in sustainable farming.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

About Lake District National Park Authority

In July 2017, the Lake District National Park was awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status in the cultural landscape category.

The Lake District is one of 15 National Parks. The others are Bannau Brycheiniog (formerly Brecon Beacons), the Cairngorms, Dartmoor, Exmoor, Loch Lomond and Trossachs, Northumberland, North York Moors, Peak District, Pembrokeshire Coast, Eryri (formerly Snowdonia), the Yorkshire Dales, the Broads, the New Forest, and the South Downs.

More information about the National Park can be found on our website www.lakedistrict.gov.uk

About Cumbria Wildlife Trust

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 skilled and professional staff working closely with volunteers, partners and thousands of supporters, together we’re creating a wilder future for Cumbria. We are part of a UK-wide grassroots movement made up of 46 individual Wildlife Trusts who all believe that we need nature and nature needs us.

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2023, the BMW Group sold over 2.55 million passenger vehicles and more than 209,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2023 was € 17.1 billion on revenues amounting to € 155.5 billion. As of 31 December 2023, the BMW Group had a workforce of 154,950 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company set the course for the future at an early stage and consistently makes sustainability and efficient resource management central to its strategic direction, from the supply chain through production to the end of the use phase of all products.  www.bmwgroup.com

About UK National Parks

The UK is home to fifteen National Parks, with ten located in England, three in Wales, and two in Scotland. Combined they span almost 10% of land and are more than just protected landscapes; they are living, working environments where people and nature can thrive together. Each National Park is managed by an Authority, an independent body funded by the central government and other sources. These authorities do not own all of the land within the National Park but are tasked with conserving and enhancing the natural beauty, wildlife, and cultural heritage of these areas. They promote opportunities for the public to experience and understand the unique qualities of National Parks while fostering the economic and social wellbeing of local communities.

2024 marked the 75th anniversary of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act, which laid the foundation for the creation of these protected spaces. Today, National Parks continue to play a vital role and are committed to leading a transition toward a fairer, greener, and healthier future. By embracing large-scale nature-based solutions to create natural resilience, our National Parks continue to inspire, sustain, and benefit generations to come. National Parks are open for everyone to explore, with more than 104 million visits each year, offering a chance to connect with nature and experience the beauty of the outdoors.

For more information, visit www.nationalparks.uk.

About National Parks Partnerships

National Parks Partnerships (NPP) unites companies, investors, and environmental funders with all fifteen UK National Parks to drive positive change for people, nature, and climate. Spanning the iconic landscapes of the Peak District, Lake District, Eryri, Dartmoor, Pembrokeshire Coast, North York Moors, Yorkshire Dales, Exmoor, Northumberland, Bannau Brycheiniog, The Broads, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs, Cairngorms, New Forest, and South Downs, NPP operates at a national level to foster partnerships that enhance and protect these vital natural areas.

Since its inception in 2016, NPP has formed impactful partnerships with leading global brands, including BMW UK, Santander UK, and Estée Lauder Companies UK & Ireland. NPP’s comprehensive approach identifies and develops key projects in need of support, offering diverse opportunities such as deploying green finance through the Revere: Investing in Nature initiative with Palladium, to supporting innovative nature-based solutions that preserve and restore biodiversity, to staff engagement, joint marketing campaigns, in-kind contributions, and thought leadership. By aligning with both global and UK-based brands, NPP creates bespoke partnerships that deliver meaningful, lasting impact in National Parks and surrounding communities.

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Lake District National Park