Rick
August 17-2005, 11:38 PM
Once again a forward thinking move by the forestry agencies of England, Wales & Scotland hi-light just how backward thinking our own Forest Services are, and how we in NI are being treated by our own government deptartments as 2nd class citizens compared to the rest of the UK & Ireland. At the same time as Forest Commission in GB is making yet another step forward in public recreation in their forests (read on for more), upper management within Forest Service NI are privately saying they have "weathered the storm" on MTB access to our forests and have "won the war"!
Forum regular and long time campaigner Rick reports on the latest developments accross the water:
The Forestry Commission has, today, celebrated the dedication of its estate for permanent public open access allowing future generations to enjoy the healthy environment of its woodlands and forests.
Forestry Commission Chairman, Lord Clark of Windermere said:
“I am delighted that the Forestry Commission is leading the way by dedicating its land so that the general public are able to enjoy our woods and forests in perpetuity. This means that we have secured a fantastic resource which will be used to help to improve the health of our nation”
The Forestry Commission will be dedicating all its freehold estate, adding an additional 17 per cent of land to the amount of land available under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.
Lord Clark said “We have permitted access to our woods for decades, so dedication is a catalyst for the process of encouraging even greater recreational use of our woodland”
This process has started with the Active Woods campaign, spearheaded by the FC. Active Woods – naturally good for you, aims to make people aware of the range of healthy benefits they can get from enjoying woodlands.
Thousands of Active Woods events and activities are taking place in woodland this year with opportunities to get active and enjoy things such as walking, orienteering, cycling or horse riding. There will also be many opportunities for quiet relaxation and activities to help you unwind within the natural environment, for example tai chi. www.forestry.gov.uk/activewoods (http://www.forestry.gov.uk/activewoods) tells you where to go and what to do.
Evidence points to the therapeutic value of trees, woodlands and forests and the wider benefits of exercising within a wooded environment. This makes woodlands ideal places for all ages and abilities to get fit and healthy.
Notes for editors
· The Forestry Commission’s Active Woods campaign promotes activity, healthy living and well-being by encouraging more people to visit and enjoy their local woodlands. More information is available at http://www.forestry.gov.uk/activewoods.
· Active Woods is supported by the Forestry Commission, the Woodland Trust, the Community Forests in England and the Tree Council and is backed by the British Heart Foundation.
· The new right of access to mapped open country and registered common land under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CRoW) will be in place across of England by 31 October 2005.
· Section 16 of the Act gives freeholders and longlease holders the opputunity to voluntarity dedicate their land for public access, subject to same rules as mapped access land.
· The vast majority of land dedicated so far has been by the Forestry Commission (116,062 hectares so far), with other contributions coming from a National Park Authority, a college, several private landowners and a parish council.
· Access opputunities will be publicised as dedicated land shown on www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk (http://www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk) and on OS Explorer Maps.
Media enquiries about this release should be directed to Rod Leslie, tel: 07778 964147 or Helen Townsend, tel: 07887 633776
Forum regular and long time campaigner Rick reports on the latest developments accross the water:
The Forestry Commission has, today, celebrated the dedication of its estate for permanent public open access allowing future generations to enjoy the healthy environment of its woodlands and forests.
Forestry Commission Chairman, Lord Clark of Windermere said:
“I am delighted that the Forestry Commission is leading the way by dedicating its land so that the general public are able to enjoy our woods and forests in perpetuity. This means that we have secured a fantastic resource which will be used to help to improve the health of our nation”
The Forestry Commission will be dedicating all its freehold estate, adding an additional 17 per cent of land to the amount of land available under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.
Lord Clark said “We have permitted access to our woods for decades, so dedication is a catalyst for the process of encouraging even greater recreational use of our woodland”
This process has started with the Active Woods campaign, spearheaded by the FC. Active Woods – naturally good for you, aims to make people aware of the range of healthy benefits they can get from enjoying woodlands.
Thousands of Active Woods events and activities are taking place in woodland this year with opportunities to get active and enjoy things such as walking, orienteering, cycling or horse riding. There will also be many opportunities for quiet relaxation and activities to help you unwind within the natural environment, for example tai chi. www.forestry.gov.uk/activewoods (http://www.forestry.gov.uk/activewoods) tells you where to go and what to do.
Evidence points to the therapeutic value of trees, woodlands and forests and the wider benefits of exercising within a wooded environment. This makes woodlands ideal places for all ages and abilities to get fit and healthy.
Notes for editors
· The Forestry Commission’s Active Woods campaign promotes activity, healthy living and well-being by encouraging more people to visit and enjoy their local woodlands. More information is available at http://www.forestry.gov.uk/activewoods.
· Active Woods is supported by the Forestry Commission, the Woodland Trust, the Community Forests in England and the Tree Council and is backed by the British Heart Foundation.
· The new right of access to mapped open country and registered common land under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CRoW) will be in place across of England by 31 October 2005.
· Section 16 of the Act gives freeholders and longlease holders the opputunity to voluntarity dedicate their land for public access, subject to same rules as mapped access land.
· The vast majority of land dedicated so far has been by the Forestry Commission (116,062 hectares so far), with other contributions coming from a National Park Authority, a college, several private landowners and a parish council.
· Access opputunities will be publicised as dedicated land shown on www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk (http://www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk) and on OS Explorer Maps.
Media enquiries about this release should be directed to Rod Leslie, tel: 07778 964147 or Helen Townsend, tel: 07887 633776