Wild Ennerdale National Nature Reserve to protect Lake District

3,000 hectares of the Lake District is to become a National Nature Reserve.

The new National Nature Reserve is being created in Ennerdale, West Cumbria by Natural England.

It is set to be the largest nature reserve in the county and the ninth largest in England.

The reserve will include water, forest and mountains.

Tony Juniper chair of Natural England, said: "Wild Ennerdale is a diverse and varied landscape which supports some of our most unique and precious wildlife, including Red Squirrels, the Freshwater Pearl Mussels that dwell in the river there and which can live for 100 years, and the Arctic Charr – a fish that has hung on in the valley since the last Ice Age.

"We have been working with partners for some years to improve this already amazing place and its declaration as a National Nature Reserve will enhance the spectacular landscape, wildlife and habitats, safeguarding them for the future while providing space for people to get close to wild Nature. National Nature Reserves are at the very centre of our ambition to create a vibrant national Nature Recovery Network comprised of bigger and better places for both wildlife and people. The Ennerdale partnership is a great example of what we have in mind and shows how working together can achieve that aim."

Image by 3855198 from Pixabay