Nature Restoration Science
Cumbria Connect is running one of the biggest science monitoring programmes for nature restoration in the country.
Our dedicated Cumbria Connect science team are out, come rain or shine, scaling fells, trudging through bogs and wading through rivers to collect the data we need.
The team also works alongside universities across the country to inform current research into nature recovery efforts at a national and international level.
Our research
Our dedicated science team are carrying out moth counts, monitoring peatland water levels, measuring species densities to see how birds, mammals and plant life are faring and looking at the impact of browsing from deer and livestock.
In the summer of 2024, in partnership with land managers across the Lowther Valley and Mardale Common at Wild Haweswater, our team managed over 150 moth traps – a crucial night-time pollinator. Each moth we record will give us crucial data about our ecosystem’s health and will provide vital clues towards our understanding of our natural world.
Peatland monitoring is also a key focus. These bogs are brilliant carbon stores and their health is key to facing climate change including slowing water flow, preventing flooding and improving water quality.
Restoration is about more than just the land; it’s about people too. Our programme of social science monitoring brings together questions on the interactions between nature, people and place.
The level of science, at such scale, is what’s going to help Cumbria lead the way in nature restoration. It’s hands-on work and it’s making a difference.
Why are we monitoring our progress?
Restoration takes time and patience. Trees don’t grow overnight, species need time to return and whole ecosystems can take decades to fully recover.
While we can easily count immediate actions—like the number of trees we plant or the species we reintroduce—it will take years to see the bigger picture of recovery across the landscape.
To capture this journey, Cumbria Connect will monitor key indicators for up to 10 years, helping us track real, lasting change.
What are we measuring?
To understand the impact of our nature restoration efforts, we’re focusing on 21 key indicators across three main areas:
Nature’s recovery
Are native plants and animals making a comeback? Are habitats improving? These indicators help us understand the health of the ecosystem and the progress of restoration.
Ecosystem services
Nature restoration also benefits people by enhancing services like water storage, flood management, and carbon storage. We’re measuring these to show how a thriving environment supports local communities.
Community impact
We’re monitoring how our work supports the local economy, provides opportunities for community involvement, builds positive connections to place and encourages sustainable land use practices.
Building knowledge through long-term monitoring
With Cumbria Connect, we’re not just restoring landscapes; we’re building knowledge that can help Cumbria and other regions for years to come.
By learning from every step of this journey, we’re creating a healthier, more resilient future for our landscapes, wildlife and communities.
Discover our Science Projects
Explore the research shaping the future of nature restoration
A broader vision
Broader Vision: Research Facilities at Naddle Farm
Our long-term vision includes establishing a Centre for Upland Research at Wild Haweswater.
This new centre will support researchers with lab space, bunkhouse accommodation, and other essential facilities to advance upland restoration science.
Let’s be social @connectfornature
