Working with Farmers
in West Cumbria
Rivers are directly shaped by what happens on the land that drains into them. Because most of the land in West Cumbria is agricultural, we work hand-in-hand with farmers to provide practical advice and grant funding that improves river health while supporting resilient, profitable farm businesses.
Whether you're looking to improve productivity, manage natural resources, or access funding, we are here to help.
How we can help your farm
Our team offers guidance and support across a wide range of on-farm practices. What we can do depends on your specific catchment and active funding schemes, so support looks a little different in each catchment; examples of our work include: Fencing along watercourses: protecting riverbanks from livestock erosion to improve water quality and safeguard valuable land.
Wetland creation: creating and restoring natural wetlands to slow water flow, reduce runoff, and boost farm biodiversity
Watercourse management: practical guidance on maintaining healthy, functional drainage and channels.
Tree planting and hedgerow creation: riparian planting, stabilising soils, and improving wildlife corridors.
Soil health: practical advice and techniques to maintain structure, reduce compaction, and retain nutrients.
Fertiliser efficiency: optimising application to save money on inputs while preventing runoff into local watercourses.
Year-round tree planting offer
We have a year-round offer for tree planting. You could be entitled to grants to plant trees on your land. Get in touch with us below to chat further about how we can support planting trees and hedgerows on your land.
Local catchments & farmer meetings
We run regular farmer meetings and collaborative projects tailored to specific local catchments. If you farm in these areas, please get in touch to find out more:
River Cocker: contact Bethany to learn more, or view project updates here
Waver & Wampool: contact Tasha to learn more, or view project updates here
Resilient Glenderamackin - Landscape Recovery Project: this long-term project is currently fully subscribed. Contact Clair to register your interest for future opportunities, or view updates here
Outside these catchments?
If you farm within West Cumbria but don’t fall into the Cocker or Waver Wampool catchments, we still want to hear from you. Whether you want advice on a watercourse, a wetland, or tree planting, please get in touch.
Borrow farm equipment
To help you manage your land sustainably, we have specialised equipment available for local farmers to borrow, including soil aerators to help look after your soils.
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Get in touch to check availability and arrange to borrow equipment.
WCRT have carried out a very large project adjacent to our village. The river bed was in a ruinous state for many years. Their determination and vision has returned this valley back to its original wild state. We are extremely grateful for this transformation
Brian Mossop, Moresby Parish Council and Walkmill steering group
Habitat Improvement Projects
A Wilder Walkmill
Catchment Partnerships
River Cocker
Fish & Habitat Surveys
Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS)
Longlands Lake
Resilient Glenderamackin
River Ehen
River Irt
St John’s Beck
Rivers Waver & Wampool
Woodlands For Water
Support our work
Without the help of our fantastic supporters, we’d be up the creek!