Objective 1

More opportunities for people to enjoy high quality recreational, cultural and educational experiences close to where they live.

Access to open space and to the opportunity to experience a clean, safe and green environment is an essential part of quality of life for everyone.

Trees and woodlands in the landscape create an atmosphere of tranquillity and provide a sense of ‘escape’, even in the most urban environment. They provide contact with nature and a setting for a wide range of recreational, cultural and educational activities, offering adventure and challenge whilst absorbing noise and visual intrusion.

Of course, well-managed trees and woods can contribute to the quality of the environment without being open to general public access. Indeed, it may not be practical or desirable for some sensitive woodland to have any public access.

On other sites, alternative approaches may include limited access to particular features or facilities, access by permit or licence or access only at certain times of the year.

Understanding the region’s diverse access needs and meeting them with the right types of access provision, close to where people live, will require an imaginative mix of both new woodland creation and the development, or improvement of facilities in existing woodlands and wooded areas. This is a challenge for all owners and managers which needs careful planning, together with the effective targeting of advice, practical support and incentives.

Objective 2

A greater contribution to public health and well being through more community participation, public access, active recreation and sport. Enjoyment of the natural environment and active participation in its care give proven health benefits to individuals and communities.

Physical inactivity is a serious problem in society, with implications for a number of conditions including coronary heart disease, stroke and obesity. Walking, cycling and involvement in practical activities such as voluntary conservation work are widely acknowledged as effective therapies to combat inactivity and to aid physical recovery.

Promoting physical activity and improving well-being through access to the natural environment are major regional health objectives.

Providing the right opportunities to those with greatest health need requires close working between land managers and those in health, sports and physical activity sectors.

Local partnerships must ensure that woodland based provision is properly planned, developed and co-ordinated with other services, support and promotional networks, and, by actively engaging with education and community outreach activities.

In areas where there are opportunities to meet health needs through the creation or development of access to existing, privately owned woodland, an imaginative approach to the mix of advice, support and incentive will be needed.