DAERA partners with Outscape on new Outdoor Recreation Action Plan for Northern Ireland

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has welcomed Outscape's partnership with his department to develop a new Outdoor Recreation Action Plan for Northern Ireland.

Outscape is being supported by DAERA's Environment Fund for this work to fulfil a priority on connecting people to the environment under the Environmental Improvement Plan for Northern Ireland.

As part of this process, Minister Muir will also be seeking nominations to a refreshed Strategic Outdoor Recreation Group to provide the strategic coordination, action, and targeted investment to develop and deliver the action plan. The Department will also work to support local councils to develop and deliver Community Trail Networks and Green/Blue Places Plan in all district council areas.

Making the announcement today, Minister Muir said: Ensuring we all have access to high quality outdoor recreation opportunities is something I am very passionate about.  Engaging in the natural environment is fundamental to good health and well-being with clear benefits for physical and mental health.

However, it is clear that action is needed on improving access to nature. Outscape's recently published People and the Outdoors Monitor (POMNI) found 80% of people would like to spend more of their free time outdoors, with just over half of those surveyed finding local green spaces easy to get to without a car.

I was heartened to read in the survey that many people would like to have greater involvement in developing and maintaining local green spaces. As part of this process, we will be engaging with key stakeholders to co-design a new Outdoor Recreation Action Plan to ensure we strike the right balance between the needs of landowners, local people, tourists and the environment."

He continued: I recognise the significant collaboration, planning and resourcing by multiple agencies and organisations in developing and managing green and blue space and trails for outdoor recreation.

By working together, we can create high-quality natural spaces that are accessible, welcoming and sustainable, ensuring everyone can enjoy the benefits of outdoor recreation for years to come.

Dawson Stelfox MBE, Chairperson of Outscape, said: Outscape warmly welcomes the opportunity to work on a new Strategic Outdoor Recreation Action Plan for Northern Ireland. This important work will help to move from ambition to delivery, with a clear focus and commitment on practical, implementable actions that will improve access to nature and support people, landowners, communities, and places across Northern Ireland.

 We look forward to engaging constructively with DAERA and wider stakeholders to help co-design the Action Plan that is practical, inclusive and focused on delivering measurable and sustainable change on the ground.

Notes to editors:

1. The Environmental Improvement Plan for Northern Ireland includes targets to update the ORAP, refresh the Strategic Outdoor Recreation Group and Develop a Community Trail Network & Green/Blue Places Plan in all district council areas. 
2. GreenspaceNI Map: https://out-scape.com/greenspace-ni-map/ is a collated map of all accessible green space spanning two hectares or more, as well as off-road trails throughout Northern Ireland. It encompasses natural spaces accessible to the public with permission from the landowners, including urban and rural parks, forests, beaches, and off-road trails.  Annual analysis provides evidence for the Environmental Statistics Report 1.7 and PfG Wellbeing Framework indicator for the Percentage of households with accessible natural space within 400 metres (48% in 2026) PfG Wellbeing Framework - Outdoor recreation
3. Outscape is a not-for-profit organisation working to make it easier for people to responsibly enjoy the outdoors. It supports policy development, evidence gathering, partnership working, outdoor recreation planning, trails and greenspace development, training and participation programmes. Outdoor Recreation Experts in Ireland | Outscape
4. A previous plan was published in 2014 as a partnership between DOE, DCAL, Sport NI and NITB: Our-Great-Outdoors-The-Outdoor-Recreation-Action-Plan-for-Northern-Ireland_SportNI-2014.pdf
5. The People in the Outdoors Monitor for Northern Ireland (POMNI) 2025 provides population-level evidence on outdoor recreation participation, barriers, health and wellbeing benefits, nature connection and local greenspace access. https://out-scape.com/pomni/