Visions and plausible pathways for positive lake futures in the English Lake District, UK: report on the introductory PLURALAKES workshop in the Lake District National Park, UK. 20th May 2025.

Moorhouse, H.L.; Mackay, E.B.; Thackeray, S.J.; Kuiper, J.J.

Visions and plausible pathways for positive lake futures in the English Lake District, UK: report on the introductory PLURALAKES workshop in the Lake District National Park, UK. 20th May 2025.

Moorhouse, H.L.; Mackay, E.B. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5697-7062; Thackeray, S.J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3274-2706; Kuiper, J.J.. 2025 Visions and plausible pathways for positive lake futures in the English Lake District, UK: report on the introductory PLURALAKES workshop in the Lake District National Park, UK. 20th May 2025. Wallingford, UK, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, 39pp. (Issue no.1)

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Abstract/Summary

•This report details the discussions and narratives which emerged following an introductory workshop in the English Lake District National Park carried out by the PLURALAKES project team on the 20th of May 2025. A local graphic illustrator Bethan Thorsby, Sporadic illustration joined the day to capture the discussions. •The PLURALAKES project seeks to improve the health of lake ecosystems, by including the multiple values and perspectives involved in lake ecosystem management, moving towards shared future visions for the lakes and the pathways on how to reach them. This workshop was the first in a series, centred on activities and discussions supported by two frameworks: (1) the Nature Futures Framework and (2) the X-curve. The Nature Futures Framework (NFF) is a tool to guide exploration of the diverse values people hold towards nature and test and develop scenarios which incorporate these values and future visions. The X-curve is a tool used to support discussions on navigating the pathways or changes to these futures. At the start of the day, attendees were asked to share memories or their connections to a lake or lakes in the Lake District National Park. Following an introduction to the NFF, participants identified where within the framework their values most aligned resulting in three groups, associated with different values with nature. Discussion sessions on visioning positive lake futures, describing “seeds of change” or examples of positive practice and navigating tensions were then conducted, with notes and illustrations capturing the dialogue of the three groups. This report describes these discussions in more detail. •Shared visions for positive lake futures included values of respect, responsibility and connection with restored shoreline and standing water habitats and increased diversity and abundance of lake species. However, as visions and pathways were further explored it became clear that tensions exist between two sets of the Nature Futures Framework values. The first, ‘nature for nature’, focusses on valuing nature for its own sake and having space for nature to function naturally in a way that increases resilience to pressure. The second, ‘nature for society’, emphasizes the importance of increasing human integration and activity, to promote connection and allow society to continue to utilise the resources and services needed from nature. It brought into question how, where and when can nature exist in the absence of human influence in a region such as the Lake District National Park which seeks to promote a prosperous economy, world class visitor experiences and vibrant communities, whilst sustaining its ecosystems (see Lake District National Park - The Lake District Foundation - Charity of the Lake District). •Continued dialogue and investigation of pathways to the future using different scenarios for change will help to identify where compromise is most needed. Exploring these pathways and scenarios of change will form the next steps planned in the PLURALAKES project. Finally, it should be recognised that some important local voices were missing from the workshop, despite efforts to engage with these groups, including landowners, tourist, recreational and agricultural representatives, meaning a full diversity of perspectives are not included in these findings. The PLURALAKES team will continue to try and engage with members from these sectors/communities in future workshops.

Item Type:

Publication - Report (Other)

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Environmental Pressures and Responses (2025-)

Funders/Sponsors:

Dutch Research Council (NWO), Research Council of Finland, Swedish Research Council for Sustainable Development (FORMAS), UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Horizon Europe

NORA Subject Terms:

Ecology and Environment
Hydrology

Date made live:

10 Sep 2025 13:02 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/540167