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Fix the Fells Rangers and Volunteers along a river putting in stepping stones on a soggy day

Our journey: past, present and future

Home Authority Our journey: past, present and future

The Lake District has inspired generations, and since the creation of the National Park Authority, our mission has been clear: to protect and preserve this unique landscape.

From early conservation efforts to establishing sustainable visitor practices, our history is rooted in safeguarding nature while supporting local communities.

Today, around 200 dedicated people work behind the scenes to keep this corner of England special. Our teams manage everything from maintaining footpaths and habitats to delivering visitor services and planning for responsible development. Every role contributes to balancing conservation with access, ensuring the Lake District remains a world-class destination.

Looking ahead, we’re committed to tackling the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and increasing visitor demand. Our vision is a resilient, thriving National Park—where nature, people, and heritage coexist sustainably. Through innovation, collaboration, and passion, we aim to protect this extraordinary place for generations to come.

A photograph of a national park ranger talking to a person on a quad bike

Respecting the past

This isn’t about keeping things in the past – it’s about carrying the best of our heritage into the future. Our special projects reflect this by:

  • Bringing history alive for young people through engaging experiences and learning opportunities.
  • investing in our communities to help them plan for the future through community planning, surveys and action on the ground.
  • Helping people conserve buildings and special places that hold cultural and historical significance.
  • Advising on the management and protection of ancient trees ensuring these national treasures last for generations.
  • Providing grants to local communities to help them maintain and celebrate their traditions.
History of the Park
A colleague in blue branded shirt with a huge grin welcoming

Caring for the present

The National Park has always relied on the who people live and work within it. In more recent centuries, it’s become a place where visitors come to relax, enjoy themselves and find inspiration.

We work with a wide range of groups to balance their needs with those of the landscape. This often requires high-quality negotiating skills to overcome complex and challenging issues:

  • Providing information through our visitor information centres.
  • Developing and maintaining access to land and water.
  • Encouraging responsible use of the countryside.
  • Organising and events to celebrate the National Park and support the economy
  • Working to conserve our plant and animal species
Visit our protect pages
white adult male in a black Lake District National Park jacket holding open documents outdoors near a stone building

Planning for the future

Our role in planning is not just to control development – it’s about supporting and managing development with people, not in isolation. We are committed to:

  • Creating policies that help manage change in collaboration with everyone from individuals to parish councils.
  • Making decisions on planning applications and advising people on how to comply.
  • Bringing organisations and volunteers together to ensure action takes place on the ground.
See our planning pages