After the Lakes for Living, Lakes for Life Conference 2009

18 - 21 May 2009 Low Wood Hotel, Windermere, Cumbria

July Edition

Throughout history, lakes have provided the essentials of life: food, water, transport and recreation. But in the 21st Century we talk about their importance in economic, cultural, environmental and social terms.

It was with these themes in mind that representatives from around the world came to Windermere in May to share the experience of tackling problems with lake catchments and seeking appropriate solutions.

This was a conference that sought to blend together sector values and bring us all back to that overall awareness and respect for these precious bodies of water, sharing examples of where we can work together to achieve sustained catchment management.

The timing of the conference was crucial. European countries now have legislation setting standards for lake water quality for the very first time, while climate change, the focus of Ed Gillespie's inspirational speech, remains an ever present global challenge. Whilst this prognosis and urgency had some solemnity, the conference was very much up-beat with dynamic workshops and practical study tours.

One clear message came out of the conference - there are serious economic and environmental challenges ahead and we urgently need to harness our combined efforts, skills and knowledge to manage these sensitive environments. Fortunately, lakes around the world are blessed with committed individuals and organisations, all prepared to share their experience and innovations.

Our conference contribution was to provide a toolkit to help us all identify that good practice and to facilitate the protection of our lakes for future generations: “Lakes for Living, Lakes for Life”.

John Pinder and Bob Cartwright

Joint Conference Directors

Site Update For

www.lakesforliving.com

Our website is currently being uploaded with the feedback and output from the conference. All materials will be available by 17.07.09. Please keep checking the website to view and download the resources.

Delegate Request

If you haven’t done so already, please complete the post- conference questionnaire which will close on 17.07.09 If you have any photos from the conference – worthy of sharing with other delegates – please send them to John Pinder at john.pinder@environment-agency.gov.uk

Conference Success

“What a wonderful conference …! Not only was it the most well-thought-out conference I've ever been to, but I really feel that good, productive thoughts were had and shared, and that progress and inspiration were found…it’s a beginning, not an end!” (A happy delegate!)

Over 120 delegates from 16 countries including Kenya, Canada, Germany and Japan gathered to take part in the first ever gathering of world leaders in the UK to debate the various benefits of lake environments, sharing good practice and the latest thinking on lake management.

Apart from the obvious success of the conference format, we received UK wide media coverage including the BBC Radio 4 Today programme and BBC Breakfast TV plus various online media formats including the Guardian and Farmer’s Weekly among others. Hopefully we also “sold” the English Lake District to our visitors through the various tours and the fabulous local produce sampled at the Low Wood Hotel including the local Grasmere gingerbread and the real ale from Hawkshead brewery!

Windermere Twinning Ceremony

The event also saw the twinning of Lake Windermere with its counterpart in British Columbia, Canada.

Under the alliance, the two countries will share knowledge and learning to support partnerships that help us enjoy our lake environments in a sustainable way, so that we preserve their distinctive cultural heritage and sustain them for future generations.