BUD PLEA: A web database of oak bud burst across the country is being compiled for the first time.

Volunteers are needed to help record the dates of when local trees burst into bud and enter the details onto the Forestry Commission's website on www.forestry.gov.uk/obb.

Information submitted will be automatically entered onto a map of Britain to track how bud burst progresses across the country, which will be later analysed by scientists.

NEW TREES: New native woodlands totalling almost 110 hectares will be created in the Lake District National Park Authority during the next year.

Three bids for grants through the Forestry Commission's challenge fund for creating new woodlands in national parks, were approved including plans for a 39-hectare woodland at Jackson's Wood, Broughton-in-Furness; a 21-hectare woodland on the Gilbrea Estate, Lorton Valley, and a 50-hectare area at Standing Stones Farm, near Ennerdale.

EX-KEEPERS SOUGHT: A search is under way to track down long-serving gamekeepers who have played an important role in conserving the countryside.

The Country Land and Business Association has launched an awards scheme to recognise the skills and dedication of game and river keepers.

Two awards will be presented, to gamekeepers who have completed 40 years service on not more than three estates, and to those who have dedicated at least 25 years looking after the same river system.

Nomination forms are available by calling 01524-782209.

AIR LIFT: Volunteers from Flight Army Air Corps will be lending a hand to footpath repair work in isolated areas of the Lake District.

Over seven days Territorial Army reservist pilots of No 6 Flight AAC will be helping to move under-slung loads of stone and rock to paths in need of repair, as part of their training in handling large cargos underneath the helicopters.

team effort: Volunteers aged 19 to 90 rolled up their sleeves to help plant more than 150 trees in Skelsmergh Millennium Wood at Garth Row.

A range of tree species were planted from seed gathered locally as the second part of a scheme which has seen more than a thousand trees planted over the last two years.

Kendal Neighbourhood Forum and Cumbria Broadleaves, as agents for United Utilities, helped fund the latest phase of the project.