The Sport and Recreation Alliance has today launched a new guide to help increase the opportunities for sport and recreation in forests and woodland.
The guide, Promoting Sport and Recreation in Forests, has been produced as part of the Alliance's strategic partnership with the Forestry Commission.
It is intended to be an easy-to-read introduction to many of the sport and recreation activities that take place, or could take place, within the Public Forest Estate (PFE).
The guide will assist those staff within Forestry Commission England who have responsibility for managing and promoting sport and recreation opportunities in the PFE.
We will also use this document:
- to share with government Ministers and key MPs
- to maintain open dialogue with the Forestry Commission to ensure we make ongoing improvements to recreational access in the forests
- as a template for partnerships with other organisations with an interest in promoting outdoor recreation.
"The Forestry Commission is the largest provider of outdoor sport and recreation opportunities in England. Working with the Sport and Recreation Alliance and its members helps us to improve the opportunities for people to get outdoors and active in England’s forests – benefiting people’s health and wellbeing and helping to develop a sporting habit for life.
"This guide to promoting sport and recreation in England’s forests will help our managers to understand the needs of different activities and ensure that they have the contacts in relevant associations and national governing bodies to make sure activities suit a wide range of forest visitors – both repeat and new."
Sallie Barker, Interim Chief Executive Sport and Recreation Alliance:
"Forests and woodland are valuable facilities for a great variety of sport and recreation activities and we hope that by working closely with the Forestry Commission on projects such as this guide we can maximise the use of this important natural resource.
"This guide will help national governing bodies, our members, work productively with Forestry Commission staff and adopt a collaborative approach to promoting sport and recreation in our forests.
"It also provides a great template for the Alliance working in partnership with organisations in the future, not just on access and the environment, but on a range of issues that affect the sector – from public health to physical activity in schools."
