North Wales Outdoor Charter... Reconciling Conservation and Recreation? Chris Hooper

Who am I?! ✤ Outdoor Education Teacher at The Conway Centre ✤ Visiting Lecturer at Bangor University ✤ MA Countryside Management Graduate ✤ Collaboration with Snowdonia Active over North Wales Outdoor Charter Group ✤ Outdoor Activity Participant!

Background? ✤ Snowdonia Active organised a meeting at Plas Tan Y Bwlch in early ✤ Increasing pressure from environmental & access issues. ✤ Recent disbanding of the Sustainable Use of Snowdonia group.

Current Situation: ✤ WATO forum piloted to link Wales’ 3 National Parks with the aim of sharing good practice across the outdoor sector. ✤ Pembrokeshire Outdoor Charter Group ✤ South Wales Outdoor Activity Providers Group ✤ Snowdonia Active (North Wales)

“Managing the impact of organised outdoor activity groups in North West Wales; an investigation into good practice.” ✤ ‘Delphi’ methodology using an expert panel of stakeholders. ✤ Two rounds of questions with feedback to investigate issues raised. ✤ Anonymous to encourage honest and open opinion. ✤ Attempts to reach consensus opinion on the way forward. ✤ Based on 4 case study venues: Afon Ddu, Moelwynion, Penrhyn Mawr & Lion Rock. ✤ What is considered to be good practice? ✤ Considered wide variety of solutions including, payment for access, permit systems, parking charges, dissemination of information etc...

Opinions... ✤ Very strong agreement on the positive benefits of introducing people to a range of natural environments using outdoor activities. ✤ Majority stakeholder view that organised group use would increase in the future. ✤ A necessity to keep the negative impact that groups have on the environment in the wider context of the debate on the sustainability of the natural environment.

Threats? ✤ No single representative body. ✤ Reliance on voluntary approach to work. ✤ Increased use of venues. ✤ Size of geographical area to be covered. ✤ Inadvertent promotion of outdoor activity venues. ✤ Funding...

Discussions... ✤ Lots of practical suggestions to improve sustainability. ✤ Improved opportunities for education, both for providers & participants. ✤ A desire to put something back. ✤ Sharing ideas and resources. ✤ Information to visiting groups. ✤ Highlighted other venues with potential issues.

What is the NWOCG? ✤ Representative proactive membership body. ✤ Promote collective engagement of the outdoor sector in North Wales ✤ Environmental sustainability of outdoor venues. ✤ Maintain and improve access to outdoor venues. ✤ Provide workshops and disseminate information on ‘good practice’.

What it is not... ✤ A ‘policing’ organisation; members sign up to the outdoor charter and agree to its content. ✤ Statutory, it is a voluntary membership organisation... Although it would be great to get everyone onboard! ✤ Health and safety, there are other more appropriate organisations which already fulfil this role.

Why? It is our livelihood Collective responsibility Proactive vs. reactive

Conclusions? ✤ Formation of a North Wales Outdoor Charter Group, a missed opportunity if we don’t. ✤ Continued use of voluntary guidelines. ✤ Emphasis on environmental issues within NGB awards structure. ✤ Environmental awareness training for those delivering outdoor activities (local contexts). ✤ Place environmental awareness within an inspection system?

✤ Phase 1: Engagement. ✤ Phase 2: Organisational ‘form & function’. ✤ Appointment of a part-time paid coordinator. ✤ Sources of funding. ✤ Database of activity providers. How?

“You are the custodians of the home I am talking about. Please take good care of it. Escort your charges through it in a way that will always ensure its good repair. Show them how the home's furnishings are arranged. Help them appreciate the decor. Introduce them to the home's other occupants. Teach your charges how to have fun there without messing up the place. Above all, model for them the peace of mind that comes with knowing that when all else about us fails and disappoints and hurts, our home will be there still, on those waters, in those woods, and in those mountains, to take shelter and comfort in.” Dustin 2003:18