Mike McKinley, the chairman of the Lake District National Park Authority, has died following a short illness.
Mr McKinley died yesterday.
A statement from the authority said: “Mike has made a huge contribution to the Lake District, Cumbria and National Parks in general over the last 15 years.
“As chairman of the Lake District National Park Authority, he has demonstrated his passion and love for the Lake District and its communities and he has championed the important role of National Parks for the nation in his chairmanship of National Parks England.
“All our thoughts are with Mike’s family and friends in Wasdale and beyond. We are considering how best to pay tribute to Mike’s work and love for this special landscape and its people.”