AS the Windermere Reflections (WR) project came to an end, a closing party with a difference saw staff, supporters and volunteers cross the lake by boat for an evening of entertainment and reflection at Wray Castle.

It was a fitting finale for a far-reaching green campaign that, over the past three years, has covered everything from tree planting and drystone wall repairing to art installations and catchy YouTube hits.

Following on from the highly successful Bassenthwaite Reflections programme in 2006, the project was set up in 2011 with a £1m cash pot from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The money brought together 19 schemes aimed at improving Windermere’s water quality, access to the landscape and increasing environmental awareness.

Although thousands of volunteers have become involved over the past few years, Windermere Reflections was led from a small office at Low Nook in Ambleside by programme manager Liz Davey, and two project officers, Debbie Binch and Amanda Luxmoore.

They have been working in partnership with organisations including the Environment Agency, Lake District National Park Authority, the National Trust, and the University of Cumbria, and additional delivery partners, South Cumbria Rivers Trust, Nurture Lakeland and Friends of the Lake District.

“There were three background issues that led to the formation of Windermere Reflections," said Ms Davey. “One was the level of phosphate in the lake which leads to algal bloom, another was the amount of sediment that gets into the water from eroded banks and the third was the fact that invasive species like Himalayan Balsam were thriving. So we wanted to do some surveys and some eradication.

“These are long-term issues so it’s unlikely that a three-year project could fix everything.

“Really, our purpose was to raise awareness of these issues for residents, businesses and visitors which I think we’ve done really well.”

Practical conservation activities have included riverbank repairs to keep soil out of the water, restoring reed beds, working on the foundations of Ambleside’s Roman fort and restoring Claife viewing station.

Another key aim was to improve access to the western shore, so staff and volunteers have upgraded over three miles of bridleway from Ferry Nab to Wray Castle and installed half a mile of new footpath.

There is now less run-off into the lake from surrounding hillsides thanks to a massive programme of tree planting - around ten thousand new trees in just the last couple of years.

Projects were designed to encourage everyone to make ‘greener’ choices, and over the last three years many hotels and guest houses have signed up to a pact to use fewer chemicals in dishwashers and other cleaners.

Local children have learned about the importance of the water quality in their home environment and at school. Lake users are being more careful about spillages when re-fuelling, and swimmers and kayakers have been urged to clean their kit and not carry invasive species from one waterway to another.

Gardeners have also been encouraged to use fewer chemicals, and that message was brought home when the BBC turned up to record the hugely popular Gardeners’ World radio show last summer.

And a woman dressed as a lake and singing a catchy song became a You Tube hit.

The ‘Windermere Song’, shown in local cinemas, is one of the more bizarre successes of the WR programme.

It had educational value, summing up in three minutes the essence of the WR message, as did a series of street theatre performances.

There was also a specially commissioned beer, Mere Gold, launched during a canoe race on the lake.

And earlier this summer, the WR team reflected on their own achievements in a remarkable open air art exhibition which covered seven sites and integrated art workshops with specially-commissioned installations.

‘Reflective Moments’ highlighted the journey of water through the catchment landscape from source to sea.

Ms Davey said that the Windermere Song, along with the schools programme, had been two of the most ‘impactful things’ achieved by WR.

“I think going into schools has made a huge difference in creating awareness about what a valuable resource the lake is and how we can enjoy it.”

The impact will be measured by scientists over generations to come, but there’s no doubt that the WR programme has created an impact already, and changed behaviour significantly.

“Our work with groups and businesses means people are now better informed, and many will be more careful about, for example, what dishwasher products they use,” said Ms Davey.

“It will be many years before scientists can measure the impact of our work on the quality of the water. We hope that we have helped to make a difference.”

On the legacy of WR, Ms Davey said: “There are the improvements to things like Claife viewing station, which are for everyone to enjoy, as well as physical resources we’ll leave behind like the Greener Boating Handbook.

“I believe the volunteers involved with the schools programme are going to continue their links with teachers and students.

“It’s been a really across the board delivery and we’ve had wins in each of the areas, as well as having great fun along the way.”

And on what happens now the project has come to a close, she added, “The scientific community has always been working together behind the scenes, and that will continue.

“I hope people will continue to keep making greener choices – the lake is a community asset and is everyone’s responsibility.

“The issues we have been dealing with are too big for any one organisation – we all help to contribute to waste water and there are things we can all do to help improve water quality.”