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Cotswold Lakes Trust

Formed in 1996 as the Cotswold Water Park Society, and now known as Cotswold Lakes Trust, we have been a fully registered charity since April 2011. Cotswold Lakes Trust is governed by a Board of seven Trustees who oversee the work of a small team of staff based near Down Ampney in the Cotswold Lakes. Cotswold Lakes Trust works with a huge variety of people to care for this dynamic and challenging area.

 

Registered Charity No. 1120518

Staff & Trustees

Statement of Purpose

Leadership

We aim to be the focal point for:

  • the protection and improvement of the Cotswold Lakes’s rich natural environment and;
  • for any discussion concerning the future development of leisure and recreation facilities and public access in the Cotswold Lakes.

EDUCATION

We aim to engage increasingly with visitors, the local community, schools and universities to promote a greater understanding and appreciation of the heritage, wildlife and landscape of the Cotswold Lakes. This will encompass, among other things, migratory birdlife, rich fossil finds in the sedimentary sand and gravel, precious wildflower meadows, the area’s biodiversity as well as the health and well-being to be found in the outdoors.

BIODIVERSITY AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

  • we manage our sites sensitively, ensuring that their importance for wildlife is conserved and wherever possible enhanced.
  • we aim to carry out landscape-scale wildlife conservation and enhancement projects at our sites and across the Cotswold Lakes in partnership with others.
  • we provide advice to mineral companies, landowners and local communities on wildlife issues

PROMOTION

In supporting the Cotswold Lakes, we are the primary gateway for hundreds of thousands of visitors, residents, leisure operators, walkers, cyclists, birders, anglers, horse riders, dreamers and nature lovers on land or water. We want all visitors to value their time here. As a charity we encourage the benefits to be gained from the use of our own destination sites.

RECREATION AND ACCESS

  • wherever possible we encourage the public to access our sites for appropriate recreational purposes.
  • we pursue area wide initiatives to improve responsible access to and around the Cotswold Lakes.

MEMBERSHIP

We are a small team with a big-hearted membership. Members enjoy free parking at our car parks from where they are able to visit our bird hides, enjoy talks and events, and also lend a hand on our crucial conservation projects. You too can join and take part.

RESILIENCE

  • we are not central or local government funded. We work with donors, charitable funds, individuals, companies, and our membership. In addition, we operate our own sites commercially to make sure collectively we are here to develop the Cotswold Lakes for the benefit of wildlife and people.
  • we investigate the acquisition of new sites in order to protect and enhance their potential biodiversity value and/or recreational benefits.