Back to the Bassenthwaite National Nature Reserve
Welcome to Banks Point, a Bassenthwaite Lake National Nature Reserve Restoration of Lakeshore Habitat Project.
Keeping a healthy lakeshore is vital to the overall health of the lake. The natural vegetation growing here provides valuable cover for fish, birds and insects. It can also help protect the water quality by absorbing phosphorus and nitrogen from land run-off and filtering loose sediments.
What do we want to achieve?
Some recreational activities can lead to the disturbance of lakeshore habitats such as trampling which can lead to the loss of vegetation cover and make the shoreline susceptible to erosion through wave action. By fencing off areas of lakeshore vegetation we can prevent further trampling of vulnerable habitats by guiding people to the pitched areas where they can access lake.
We will also be carrying out some tree coppicing to help diversify the woodland age structure and allow light through canopy to encourage the growth of plants in the understory below i.e. globeflower. This will help to increase the biodiversity by providing more feeding and nesting opportunities for birds and insects.
How you can support
Please support this project by only accessing the lake from the stone pitched areas along the lakeshore at Banks Point.
Our ambition
"Working with our partners, volunteers, and communities we aim to improve water quality and ensure a resilient, natural transition of habitats from open water to lakeshore vegetation and woodland to support native wildlife. We want a place where responsible visiting is encouraged, and communities feel a strong sense of pride and ownership."
What makes Bassenthwaite special?
Activities that place pressure on our freshwater environment
The top six issues are:
How are we tackling the issues and managing the NNR for nature and people.
