By 2030:

• Our managed landscapes will be abundant, diverse, and connected
• Lives will be enhanced from experiencing the outdoors
• Recognised as a regional and national exemplar for promoting conservation and recreation and managing the balance between them

Read our Impacts report for 2022/23

Our purpose is to protect special places for wildlife and people. In summary our objectives are: 

• to protect and conserve the natural environment of land in our management
• to provide access to informal and formal recreation for people of all abilities 
• to enable people to learn about our wildlife, habitats and the natural environment
• to conserve and preserve built heritage 

To read our full charitable objectives approved by the charity commission, please click through to Our objectives. Carry on to read about our passion - the reason we do what we do.

• to reconnect children and their families with nature
• to promote and deliver health and well being in the outdoors
• to give people the opportunity to learn new skills and to gain employment
• to care for and improve our natural environment
• to celebrate and engage people with our built and social heritage

South West Lakes cares for natural and historic environments, providing health, social and wellbeing benefits for individuals and communities 

Since our inception in 2000, we have delivered projects valued at over £12 million. These projects, working across the south west of England, have been of benefit to people of all ages and abilities, local communities and the natural and built heritage found around the lakes. With this external funding, we have been able to benefit the public and environment by investing funds, community volunteer time and our passion into making the lakes what they are today. Read our Impacts report 2022/23. 

In 2022 we welcomed 2.25 million visits to our lakes, with visitors enjoying a whole host of activities to benefit their health and well-being, including walking, cycling, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, angling and simply being close to the water. 

Awards

In 2014 we were awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise under the ‘Sustainable Development’ category for the second time, and four of our flagship lakes hold ‘Gold’ awards under the Green Tourism Scheme.

We were delighted to receive two environmental awards in 2017:

• Our environmental work at Crowdy Reservoir to further improve a Site of Special Scientific Interest was highly commended at the Cornwall Sustainability Awards
• Our partnership work with South West Water on Invasive Non Native Species (INNS) was placed first in the Pennon Environment Awards 

2018 saw us gain a further two awards: a long standing bat monitoring project at Burrator Reservoir came first in the Pennon Environment Awards and we were extremely proud to be awarded Gold Investors in People.  

Join us - #ItsYourOutdoors

• Play a part in what we achieve by joining us and becoming a Friend of South West Lakes
• Support our on-going conservation and education work by setting up a regular donation
• Help us reach ambitious targets by donating to a current appeal
• Volunteering your time and skills
• Tell us about your favourite lake and experience