John Muir Day 2023

Freedom for nature, for people, for communities

Here in the Lake District we partner with the John Muir Trust to support the John Muir Award. The award encourages people to enjoy, connect with and care for the beautiful landscapes around us. The John Muir Trust's work to protect and restore wild places is guided by three freedoms:

• Nature should be free to repair itself
• People should be free to enjoy the benefits
• Communities should be free to thrive

It’s no surprise that this is similar in many ways to the vision for the Lake District National Park; both organisations are committed to the beauty of nature being maintained and enhanced alongside people and communities for mutual benefit.

We can all play our part

Whether we are individuals or families enjoying our day in the Lake District, teachers or outdoor leaders guiding our group through the John Muir Award, or business owner or worker, resident or visitor, we should all get involved.

So, on John Muir’s 185^th birthday I invite you to think about how you can leave nature a little better off, enjoy the benefits and help communities thrive.

There are so many ways we can do this

Here are a few – but really it’s only limited by our imaginations:

• Drive less, see more – leave the car and walk, cycle or take advantage of the £2 bus fare.
• Get your hands dirty – join a volunteer day at Glenridding or Hardknott. Many organisations have volunteering opportunities – Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Friends of the Lake District and of course the National Park.
• Support local independent shops for local and fair trade.
• And when you’re out on the fells, just that simple act of picking up a piece of litter or clearing a blocked footpath drain leaves nature a little better off – and a warm feeling that we are helping to care for wild places.