Broughton Primary pupils get hands-on with nature recovery at Hardknott Forest

Pupils from Broughton-in-Furness Church of England Primary School have taken part in a hands-on nature recovery day at Hardknott Forest, supported by funding from the Lake District Foundation’s “Real Hedge Fund”.

The visit gave children the chance to see conservation in action within the Upper Duddon Landscape Recovery Project, a long-term partnership working with farmers, landowners and environmental organisations to restore habitats, improve soil and water quality and help nature recover across the upper Duddon Valley.

During the day, pupils explored the woodland, set up camera traps to monitor wildlife and planted willow pegs along the riverbanks. These practical activities helped the children understand how small actions, carried out carefully and in the right place, can contribute to a healthier river system, richer habitats and a more resilient landscape.

Hardknott Forest is one of the most significant habitat restoration sites in the Lake District. Once dominated by commercial conifer plantation, the area is being restored into a more natural mosaic of native woodland, bog, scrub and open ground.

For the pupils, the visit offered a rare opportunity to learn directly from the people involved in shaping the future of the landscape on their doorstep.

John Hodgson, Community Engagement Lead for the Upper Duddon Landscape Recovery Project, said:

“It was a real pleasure to welcome Broughton Primary to Hardknott Forest and to give the children the chance to be part of the work happening here. Nature recovery can sometimes sound like a big, distant idea, but days like this help make it real. The children were asking thoughtful questions, looking closely at the landscape and getting stuck into practical work that will support the riverbanks and the wildlife that depends on them. That connection between young people and place is incredibly important.”

The day was made possible through the Lake District Foundation’s Real Hedge Fund, which supports practical projects that restore hedgerows, native trees and habitats across Cumbria, helping to reconnect habitats and store carbon.

Anya Kuliszewski from the Lake District Foundation said:

“The Real Hedge Fund is about more than planting trees and hedgerows. It is about helping people understand the value of nature recovery and giving communities the chance to play an active role in caring for the landscapes around them. Supporting Broughton Primary to visit Hardknott Forest felt like exactly the kind of opportunity this fund was created for. The pupils were able to connect with a major landscape recovery project close to home and see how practical conservation work can help protect Cumbria’s rivers, woodlands and wildlife for the future.”

For Broughton Primary, the visit brought classroom learning to life and gave pupils a direct connection to the landscape around them.

Ross Cousins, Class Teacher at Broughton-in-Furness C of E Primary School, said:

“This was a brilliant learning experience for the children. They were not just hearing about conservation in the classroom, they were out in the landscape, using equipment, planting willow and seeing how their actions could make a difference. It helped them understand the links between rivers, woodland, wildlife and people in a really meaningful way. The day sparked so much curiosity and gave them a sense that they can be part of looking after these special places.”

One pupil summed up the experience by saying:

“I knew this was going to be a brilliant day, and it has been!”

Through the Real Hedge Fund, the Lake District Foundation is helping to support practical nature recovery across Cumbria while creating opportunities for local communities to connect with the landscapes, rivers and wildlife around them.