Minimising Our Environmental Impact

SUSTAINING MEMBER OF EOCA

Osprey has been a valued and active member of EOCA since joining in 2013, and has recently also become a Sustaining Member of the association. Sustaining members provide additional funding, on top of the membership fee, that helps finance the core costs of EOCA, on behalf of the outdoor leisure sector, benefitting nature conservation.

We have partnered with European Outdoor Conservation Association, or EOCA for short, for over 10 years supporting numerous projects ranging from habitat restoration for Brown bears in Italy to rewilding of meadows in Yorkshire (UK).

EOCA is a not-for-profit organisation that brings the outdoor industry together – all with a shared passion for protecting and enjoying the great outdoors – to create a powerful force for good. We’re proud to have contributed over £100,000 towards EOCA’s conservation efforts since 2013.

We remain committed to do even more and, as an official sustaining member, we have pledged to donate at least €10,000 per year to EOCA’s conservation projects, to help protect and regenerate the wild places we all care so much about.

“Together, the outdoor industry enables EOCA to collect funding and direct it to the most deserving of conservation projects worldwide, addressing biodiversity loss, delivering nature-based solutions to the climate crisis, and protecting the great outdoors.”

- Catherine Savidge, Joint General Manager, EOCA

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In 2024, we supported the work of Fix The Fells.

A total of 1,750m of eroded path was repaired.

Fix the Fells has completed work on three eroded paths within the Lake District National Park, UK; on Glenridding Dodd, on Gowbarrow fell and on Loughigg fell. All three fells are easily accessible and fairly low, which means that they are popular with those exploring the Lake District for the first time, families and others who may not want to access the higher, more rugged fells.

More about fix the fells

Glenridding Dodd

The project aims to restore 3 eroded paths that provide access to some of the most accessible and popular Wainwrights: Glenridding Dodd – an easy Wainwright, which is popular with families and first-timers due to ease of access.

Glenridding Dodd

After four months of dedicated work, this route is now nearly complete. Walkers have given overwhelmingly positive feedback, noting how much easier it is to navigate. The project has also protected a large area from accelerating erosion, with bare ground being seeded with an upland grass mix. The grass has already germinated and looks fantastic – one of the perks of a rainy summer!

Challenges:

The steep terrain and unpredictable weather made this project particularly tough. Heavy rains often delayed work and transporting materials to such a remote location required meticulous planning and extra person power.

Local Flora and Fauna:

This area is home to a variety of upland grasses and wildflowers, which are crucial for supporting local wildlife. The improvements have helped protect these plants from trampling and erosion, ensuring they continue to thrive. Additionally, the area supports bird species like the barn owl and invertebrates such as the club-tailed dragonfly.

“The Lake District Foundation team are incredibly grateful for Osprey’s generous support of the Fix the Fells Partnership. With millions of visitors exploring our fells every year, the impact on our fragile paths and landscapes is significant. Osprey’s commitment helps us repair and maintain these vital routes - all while protecting the environment from erosion and degradation. Together, we are making a real difference for the fells, the wildlife they sustain and the people who love them."

– The Lake District Foundation Team.

Loughrigg

Easily accessible from Ambleside, this popular Wainwright has seen more people post Covid, with significant erosion of the steep path. This is quite intimidating, and the project will make it clearer and more accessible for less confident or first-time visitors.

Loughrigg

The ranger team has started work here a couple of weeks ago. A sustainable path will be created using stone pitching.

Challenges:

The main challenge here is the extensive erosion, which has made the path almost unrecognisable. The team is also dealing with the technical difficulty of stone pitching, which requires precision and skill to ensure the path is both durable and aesthetically pleasing.

Local Flora and Fauna:

Loughrigg’s diverse ecosystem includes species such as the bluebell and the common pipistrelle bat. The new sustainable path will help protect these species by reducing soil erosion and habitat disturbance.

Gowbarrow

Accessed from Aira Force, the path has become increasingly popular with a combination of being part of Ullswater Way and the new Ullswater steamers jetty, which has generated additional visitors.

Gowbarrow

Monthly work parties, consisting of the ranger team and volunteers, are making great strides here continuing to build the aggregate path, which will help restore and protect the eroded ground.

Challenges:

Coordinating the schedules of volunteers and ensuring everyone’s safety while working on uneven and sometimes slippery ground was as always, a significant challenge. Additionally, sourcing the right type of aggregate that blends well with the natural surroundings from the fell wherever possible.

Local Flora and Fauna:

Gowbarrow is rich in biodiversity, with habitats that support species such as the black-necked grebe and various types of wildflowers. The new path helps minimize human impact on these sensitive areas, allowing the flora and fauna to flourish.

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