The campaign is tackling blue-green algae in the lake, which caused the cancellation of last year’s great north swim. This problem occurs when too much phosphate is in the lake. Phosphates come from a range of sources, including fertiliser run off from lawns or farms, but also from sewage (if you have a poorly maintained septic tank) and detergents.

We’re raising awareness about what laundry and dishwashing detergents people can use that will not harm Windermere. We’ll be working one-to-one with about 100 tourism businesses, delivering them training workshops and presenting at events. We’ll be working with schools, public events, and community action groups. We did this work last year in Bassenthwaite & Derwentwater and was hugely successful. See our report

Between July 2011 and July 2012, Love your Lakes is working to improve water quality in Lake Windermere. We’ll be helping local businesses, residents and visitors to take simple steps to help. By reducing the amount of damaging phosphates going into the lakes from washing machine and dishwashing detergents we can all do our bit to protect the future of one of Lakeland’s most popular and beautiful destinations.

Aims of Windermere Love Your Lakes

– Raise awareness of the problems facing the lakes with businesses, visitors and local communities.
– Working with local communities and taking part in local events.
– Making visitors aware of the issue before they book so they can do their bit too.
– Providing information and resources for businesses to help them help their visitors.
– Providing visits from our Sustainable Tourism staff to tourism businesses to help them identify ways of reducing the use of phosphates.
– Working with suppliers and local retailers to source and develop phosphate-free products.

You can find out more about this project and download a list of Phosphate free products by clicking here.

As part of their international award they were given a 4 page article in Responsible travel magazine (www.responsibletravel.com) which was given out at the World Travel Market to businesses from across the globe, it’s also available online here. In keeping with their branding they have used, in Nurture Lakelands words,  “your gorgeous pinky photo of Wast Water”. Click here to see More details on the Wastwater Photograph featured in the article.

They faced competition from across the globe in the category to win the award, with the Kangaroo Valley Tourist Association, Australia being the Highly Commended runner up. Sue Savege, Director of Nurture Lakeland and Sustainable Tourism Officer Amy McLoughlin were in London to receive the award.

Ms Savege had this to say:

“We are delighted to have received international recognition for our important work to support conservation and promote sustainable tourism. Winning this prestigious award gives testimony not only to the hard work of the Nurture team, but also to the efforts of our members and supporters who are helping to secure a sustainable future for the Lake District and Cumbria.”

With over 17 years experience of inspiring businesses to support conservation and adopt sustainable tourism practices Nurture Lakeland is a pioneer of local tourism partnerships. This destination’s results speak for themselves – £1.7 million has been raised working with 1,200 tourism businesses in fundraising for local conservation projects. Campaigns such as a car free scheme and the Herdy Fund have been successful at encouraging visitors to the area to ditch the car, as well as promoting the conservation of the Herdwick sheep, and the rural lifestyle associated with upland fell farming in Cumbria and the lakes.

Business members of Nurture Lakeland are promoted through a Green Directory which visitors to the area can use to ensure they are supporting businesses that are environmentally conscious. Individuals are also encouraged to become members of Nurture Lakeland to help look after our beautiful yet surprisingly fragile landscape.

Congratulations must go to Nurture Lakelands team of dedicated professionals for their continued support of conservation in the Lake District and great exposure and recognition on an international stage.

Nurture Lakeland is a registered charity working with visitors and with tourism related businesses. They encourage fundraising to support conservation and raise awareness of environmentally sustainable practices within the tourism sector. They have a membership of over 230 businesses across Cumbria all of whom are committed to protecting the area for now and for the future. I’m proud to be a member of Nurture Lakeland and supporting the conservation effort. Tourism and conservation working in partnership for a more sustainable Lakeland. http://www.nurturelakeland.org/