£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.”
