This campaign has now closed
Working with a team of volunteers, to survey current juniper sites in Cumbria and compare their condition to the previous survey data (collected in the 1970's). Once we know the condition of each of the sites, we will take action to improve the condition of juniper woodlands through positive management and targeted planting of saplings.
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Situation
Juniper is only one of three native species of conifer in Britain. Cumbria is an important county for juniper, having more areas of juniper woodland than anywhere else in England. Many of the juniper woodlands originate from the 17th to 19th century - meaning that they are reaching the end of their 200 year lifespan. In the past, juniper was highly valued for firewood and for making gin ensuring sympathetic management. However, as the uses of juniper waned, people ceased to manage it in a way that encouraged its growth and juniper currently has limited natural regeneration. Fundamental to protecting and enhancing Cumbria's juniper is knowing exactly what we have got and ascertaining if conditions are improving or worsening. We can only find this out by carrying out surveys. Once we know the condition of the existing juniper woodlands - we can take positive action to improving their condition through positive management and targeted planting of saplings. Juniper is currently at risk of reducing in number. Many of the existing juniper woodlands are too old to regernation as the fruit is not fertile. In areas where saplings do start to grow they are often grazed on by sheep stunting their growth. By planting saplings of a good size and protecting vulnerable areas through fencing we aim to secure the future of Cumbria's juniper. When do we aim the project to start and for how long? We hope to secure funding to enable us to start the project in autumn of 2010. The project will run for 3 years. How much funding is need? The total cost of the 3-year project is around £250k