Cotswold Lakes Trust

Cotswold Lakes Trust is a charity dedicated to the conservation and enhancement of the Cotswold Lakes for the benefit of wildlife and people. The Cotswold Lakes comprises over 180 lakes and stretches across 42 square miles. It straddles three counties and contains four local authorities, several environmental charities and many commercial organisations including corporate, small and medium sized businesses. None of these are dedicated to the CWP alone and with the complication of authority boundaries, there is a risk that oversight of the Cotswold Lakes is segmented, resulting in poor outcomes for the flora, fauna, residents and visitors. This stunning wetland landscape is nationally and internationally important for wildlife with wintering and breeding waterbirds, aquatic plants, Black Poplar trees, bats, mammals and floodplain grasslands. In January 2021, the Cotswold Lakes was recognised nationally as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and also meets the criteria to be recognised as internationally important for water birds. Cotswold Lakes Trust is a not for profit organisation, and is unique because it transcends all of the competing interests in the area. It has the ability to act as a neutral broker, with no other agenda than to see the Cotswold Lakes flourish in a fashion beneficial to all parties, balancing environmental and commercial factors. Its sole focus is to improve the Cotswold Lakes by: enhancing its biodiversity, providing recreational opportunities for its local communities and visitors and providing an educational resource. By continuing to protect and enhance the rich natural environment and to promote a greater understanding of the heritage, wildlife and landscape, Cotswold Lakes Trust can ensure that the Cotswold Lakes will benefit generations to come.