Urban Parks & Climate Change Webinar
11th December 2023Northern Ireland Environment Link (NIEL) are hosting a lunch time webinar in January on retrofitting urban parks to deliver climate change actions. Julie Procter from greenspace Scotland is leading the session and it is set to be a really practical session. https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIqcO2orTMoGNDQtDTOJB1rB2fpV0iQgElc
Faughan Valley Woodlands Officially Opens; Unveiling a Haven for Nature and People
1st August 2023Outscape is delighted to have worked with Woodland Trust on development of Faughan Valley Woodlands, which opened to the public this week. Further to development of an Access and Interpretation Strategy for the Faughan Valley (Outscape 2018), Woodland Trust commissioned Outscape to scope and design a sculpture trail network, procure…
Urban Green Spaces
18th July 2023Local people from the voluntary, health, business and statutory sectors, universities, along with green space users have joined together to create a plan with the vision of seeing urban green spaces as key community assets, connecting people, enhancing nature, and helping towns and cities adapt to climate change. The collaboration…
Outscape Encourages Public to Get Out More
4th April 2023Marking the clocks going forward for spring, Outscape is encouraging people across the country to use the extra hour to ‘Get Out More’. As days lengthen and the weather improves, there is no better time to explore some of the hundreds of outdoor trails and places across Northern Ireland. Kerry…
Environment Fund – Water Quality Improvement Strand
20th February 2023The Environment Fund – Water Quality Improvement Strand 2023 is now open for applications. To complete an application and read the guidance please visit this webpage : https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/environment-fund-water-quality-improvement-strand This is also where you will be able to view a webinar. Additionally, we will shortly upload an FAQ document which should…
Update on the Dormant Accounts Fund Northern Ireland
28th November 2022From 5pm on 3 March 2023, The National Lottery Community Fund will not be accepting applications to Phase One of the Dormant Accounts Fund Northern Ireland from individual organisations. If you are thinking of submitting an application to the fund, we encourage you to get your applications in as soon…
IAAT Conference
24th October 2022Ireland’s Association for Adventure Travel are holding their conference in Northern Ireland for the first time this November. The IAAT is the representative body for adventure activity providers, with over 200 members across the island of Ireland. The association was set up in 2018 to develop this exciting and growing…
Future of Green Spaces in NI
27th September 2022NI Environment Link and the National Trust wish to invite you to the launch event for a new project looking at the Future of Urban Green Spaces in NI. Date: 4th October 2022. 12.00-13.00 This event will provide an introduction to this work, the Future Parks Accelerator Programme and enable…
Enabling Equestrian Access in Northern Ireland
10th May 2022The British Horse Society Ireland have produced a free resource - Enabling Equestrian Access Access in Northern Ireland. This document aims to enable the maintenance and opening of new access for equestrians. It provides advice and technical information for the inclusion of equestrians on existing and new public access areas.…
Newry Mourne and Down District Council ‘Crotlieve Pump Track’ – Have your say
10th May 2022Outscape has recently been engaged by Newry Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC) to assess the need for the provision of a children’s pump track in the DEA of Crotlieve (A pumptrack is a looped sequence of banked turns and berms for bikes that provides momentum around the circuit with…
AXA Parks Fund
29th April 2022AXA PARKS Funding available for charities, community groups and schools to create or enhance local green spaces. Never has there been more important time for our green spaces to flourish. Parks, large and small, in local communities throughout Northern Ireland, are vital sources of respite, places to exercise, somewhere to…
Response to Infrastructure 2050
26th April 2022Welcome for Infrastructure 2050 – draft Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland Outscape welcomes the draft Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland and the vision for investing in infrastructure that ‘enables everyone to lead a healthy, productive and fulfilling life; supports sustainable economic development; and protects our environment’ (pg. 13). We are…
Response to the Future Agricultural Policy Proposals for Northern Ireland
16th February 202215th February 2022 Re: Response to the Future Agricultural Policy Proposals for Northern Ireland Dear NI Future Agri Policy team, Outscape welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Future Agricultural Policy Proposals. As a not-for profit organisation who make it easier for people to responsibly enjoy the outdoors and hold the…
National Outdoor Recreation Forum Chairperson Opportunity
1st February 2022Sport NI in partnership with Outscape are seeking to appoint an independent, voluntary chairperson for the National Outdoor Recreation Forum (NORF) on behalf of its members. NORF was established in 2014 as a key output from the Outdoor Recreation Action Plan for Northern Ireland. The purpose of NORF is…
Poots launches consultation on NI’s first Environment Strategy at COP26
11th November 2021Edwin Poots MLA, has launched a consultation document on Northern Ireland’s first ever overarching Environment Strategy. The Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, made the announcement during his visit to the COP26 Climate Change Conference in Glasgow. The Environment Strategy will set out Northern Ireland’s environmental priorities for the…
Binevenagh Outdoor Recreation Training
6th October 2021ARE YOU INTERESTED IN AN OUTDOOR RECREATION QUALIFICATION? A Qualification in Outdoor Recreation can kick start a career, improve the experiences your business offers and help increase the provision of outdoor activities in the community and education sectors. That’s why over the next five years the Binevenagh Landscape Partnership will…
Nature Positive 2030
24th September 2021Nature Positive 2030 has been produced by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Natural England, Natural Resources Wales, NatureScot and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. It consists of two reports – a Summary Report and an Evidence Report. Nature Positive 2030 was published in September 2021 to mark the first anniversary of the Leaders' Pledge for Nature. Findings…
IAT Ulster-Ireland Business Webinars
2nd September 2021How Local Businesses can provide for Visitors to the Irish Section of the International Appalachian Trail (IAT) Outscape are currently delivering a marketing project for the IAT Ulster – Ireland. As part of this project we are pleased to announce we will be hosting local business webinars for six…
TNI Experience Development Programme
27th August 2021Tourism Northern Ireland (TNI) have launched their Experience Development Programme 2021-23. The Programme is designed to provide financial assistance to tourism organisations to support them in creating experiences that embrace our giant spirit and stimulate demand for Northern Ireland tourism to the benefit of the wider economy. It will support…
Angling on the Erne System – Online Workshops
25th August 2021Outscape on behalf of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, DAERA Inland Fisheries and Waterways Ireland has been commissioned to review the angling product on the Erne System. The outcome will be a prioritised action plan for the future development of the angling product that will raise Lough Erne’s profile…
Carrier Bag Levy NI Consultation
21st June 2021DAERA has launched a consultation on the NI Carrier Bag Levy (via DAERA). Outscape encourages all stakeholders to submit a response by 27th July 2021. Outscape supports tactics which reduce the litter in our outdoors, unfortunately single use carrier bags remain a source of such pollution. If addition, across the…
Join the Global Design Challenge 2021
21st June 2021Join the Global Design Challenge 2021! The Global Design Challenge for Sport and Physical activity is a worldwide search for ambitious, innovative ideas to get people physically active. The challenge is being led by University College Cork, in association with Sport Ireland, under UNESCO patronage and supported by national, European…
Adventure WiSe
24th May 2021The online Adventure WiSe course is a new course presented as part of the WiSe Scheme suite of professional practitioner courses. The aim of the WiSe Scheme has always been to promote responsible wildlife-watching, through training, accreditation and raising awareness amongst boat operators, adventure/wildlife guides, dive boat operators, etc. The…
Castle Caldwell Forest- Have your say!
1st April 2021Outscape has been appointed by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council to prepare a Development Plan for Castle Caldwell Forest and Legg’s Wood.  Members of the public are invited to express their views on the future development of Castle Caldwell by taking part in a quick online survey.    Already offering scenic lakeside walks in a mature woodland setting, the…
Waterways Ireland Launch New Paddling Guidelines
12th March 2021Waterways Ireland more frequently receive queries from paddlers on their Blueway network and recreational trail navigations e.g. WRT negotiating locks or passing other craft. Patrick Harkin, Inspector of Navigations has put together the attached advice document which sets out key safety messages and protocols for “navigating†our waters in…
Walking For All Update Report 2021
25th February 2021In 2019, Sport NI and the Public Health Agency (PHA) formed a partnership with a view to creating a single coordinated led-walking programme within Northern Ireland. The programme is called Walking For All. The Walking For All programme is ‘shovel-ready’. The attached report is a status report of preparatory work…
Job Opportunities: Mourne Heritage Trust
25th January 2021Mourne Heritage Trust are recruiting for two posts – a new Countryside Services manager and a new joint post with Woodland Trust. Click on the links below to apply. Countryside Services Manager This important post has not been recruited to in almost a decade and a half and offers…
Launch of Deaf and Disability Consultation Programme – Enhancing accessibility of three AONBs
25th January 2021As part of Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust’s commitment to making their three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty accessible and enjoyable for all they are working with Direct Access and have just launched a three-month consultation programme with deaf and disabled people to identify key locations within the…
Job Opportunity: Lough Erne Landscape Partnership (LELP)
25th January 2021LELP are currently recruiting for the post of Environmental Education Officer to join the team. An exciting 9 month opportunity to work as part of the Lough Erne Landscape Partnership (LELP) in Fermanagh during 2021. LELP is a £2.6m partnership programme, delivering 23 projects over 5 years with funding support…
To Recovery & Beyond: The Future of Travel & Tourism in the Wake of COVID-19
4th January 2021COVID-19 has caused many setbacks over the world and will continue to do so, not least for the Travel and Tourism sector, which has come to a near-total standstill. However, the industry remains optimistic in the face of adversity. The report produced by World Travel & Tourism Council in…
Dormant Accounts Fund NI
22nd December 2020Dormant Accounts Fund NI will support the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector in Northern Ireland to be more resilient and prepared for the future by funding activity that increases capacity and sustainability. Funding size is up to £100’000 for individual organisations and will open on 12th January…
Community Heritage Fund Applications
22nd December 2020The National Lottery Heritage Fund  will be opening Phase 2 of their funding grants on February 8th 2021. They will be offering grants of between £100,000 to £250,000 and £250,000 to £5m for projects based in Northern Ireland that will encourage engagement with their local heritage. The Community Heritage…
Launch of Discussion Document on a Northern Ireland Climate Change Bill
10th December 2020The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is seeking the views of individuals, organisations and business across society in order to understand public views as to what a Northern Ireland Climate Change Bill should like. The Discussion Document sets out options, with analysis and questions for your…
Environmental Plans, Principles and Governance for Northern Ireland
10th December 2020DAERA Minister, Edwin Poots, today published a discussion document highlighting three specific elements of the UK Government’s Environment Bill, currently making its way through Parliament. The Department of Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs (DAERA) is seeking views on a number of environmental governance issues that arise due to UK…
Launch of Clean Air Strategy Discussion Document
3rd December 2020The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has launched a Discussion Document in advance of developing the first Clean Air Strategy for Northern Ireland. The Discussion Document presents evidence and research on a range of ambient air pollutants. It also outlines the current policy and legislation and…
UK Outdoors Transformation Group Update – September 2020
8th October 2020Over the last few months the work undertaken by the UK Outdoors Transformation Group has picked up in terms of pace and the scope. The focus still remains on the Association for Heads of Outdoor Education Centres (AHOEC), Institute for Outdoor Learning (IOL), and the Outdoor Council (OC) continuing…
Job Opportunities – Binevenagh and Coastal Lowlands Landscape Partnership Scheme
17th September 2020Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust, as the lead partner, has received permission from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to start the £3.4m Binevenagh and Coastal Lowlands Landscape Partnership Scheme This exciting 5-year scheme will work with and on behalf of local communities to explore, enhance, conserve, and improve…
Key Stakeholders – Sport and Physical Activity Strategy 2020 to 2030 and beyond – Pre-consultation survey
9th September 2020The Department for Communities is developing a new Sport and Physical Activity Strategy for Northern Ireland to cover the period to 2030 and beyond. The new strategy will build on the successful foundations of the Sport Matters strategy which was published in 2009 and which continues to guide Government…
Tourism NI launches Web Development Programme
24th July 2020Tourism Northern Ireland has announced the launch of the Website Development Programme 2020-21. The programme is designed to improve the attractiveness and bookability of Northern Ireland’s visitor experiences. It will assist tourism providers to market and sell their experiences through improved web provision given the market pressures within the…
Updating ‘Countryside for All’ Good Practice Guide – Have your say
1st July 2020Paths for All has commissioned Sensory Trust to carry out an initial review of the ‘Countryside for All good practice guide’ which was originally produced by Fieldfare Trust. The guide continues to be the key reference document for improving access to the countryside and greenspace and Paths for All…
Sport NI’s Proposed Financial Response to COVID-19 – Consultation
1st July 2020Sporting organisations have responded tremendously during the Covid-19 global pandemic, with many still playing a pivotal but quite different role within their communities. However, Sport NI recognise that some organisations are still facing difficult challenges and that these organisations need their support. On 10 th June 2020, the Sport…
DAERA £800,000 Environment Challenge Fund Competition Launched
24th June 2020Environment Minister Edwin Poots MLA has announced an £800,000 Environmental Challenge Fund Competition, to support environmental projects across Northern Ireland. The Fund is available for not-for-profit organisations and councils to deliver key environmental priorities across Northern Ireland. It is envisaged that the majority of grant awards will be between…
Sport NI COVID-19 Survey: Understanding the current sporting landscape in Northern Ireland
30th May 2020Sport NI is conducting the COVID-19 Survey: Understanding the current sporting landscape in Northern Ireland survey to better understand the range of challenges that sports organisations are facing at this time. The online survey should take about 20 minutes to complete Sport NI recognises that organisations have responded tremendously…
VSG – COVID-19 Recovery Planning Guidance
28th May 2020VSG COVID-19 Recovery Planning Guidance – Working Practices for Landowners and Countryside Managers The UK and Ireland wide Visitor Safety Group has published COVID-19 Recovery Planning Guidance - Working Practices for Landowners and Countryside Managers. The guidance seeks to cover the key areas all landowners and countryside managers will need…
European Network of Outdoors Sports – Manifesto for the Outdoors
28th May 2020In the context of the COVID-19 health crisis, the European Network of Outdoors Sports (ENOS), of which Mike McClure, Sport Northern Ireland is current chair, has taken action to highlight the added value that outdoor sports can bring for individuals and communities and can be used to help in…
Ireland Staying Active During COVID-19 Restrictions – Sport Ireland Research
27th May 2020Additional 500,000 regular walkers; 450,000 runners; 220,000 cyclists Percentage of inactive adults drops 8% from same period in 2019 Active adults report significantly higher levels of self-rated physical health compared to inactive adults. Download Report 1 - Impact of COVID-19 Restrictions on Sport and Recreational Walking Download Report 2…
Sport Wellbeing Hub Launched
24th April 2020Sport NI in partnership with the PHA has announced the launch of The Sport Wellbeing Hub in response to the COVID 19 challenge. The Hub is unique. It provides instant access to helpful information, guidance and screening that is tailored specifically to help care for our wellbeing needs. The COVID-19…
Everyday connections required to help tackle nature crisis
28th February 2020New research released by the National Trust shows those with an active ‘engagement’ with nature are more likely to help tackle the nature crisis. Download Full Report Those who make small, every day connections with nature are much more likely to take action to protect it. Some of the…
The Space to Thrive – review on the social benefits of urban green spaces
25th February 2020[et_pb_section admin_label="section"] [et_pb_row admin_label="row"] [et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text admin_label="Text"]The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with The National Lottery Community Fund, have published 'Space to Thrive' - an evidence review on the social benefits of urban green spaces, including the benefits to health and wellbeing. Download Full Report The Space to Thrive…