Naturally Active website

 

A website to promote development of woodland recreation

www.naturallyactive.org

A website developed in the East of England to make more use of rural and natural recreational resources has been launched in Thetford Forest.

The website, Naturally Active, contains information and advice for all those seeking to make more of their woodland assets, and for rural communities with an interest in creating opportunities for people to lead more active lives and enjoy their local environment. These include landowners and woodland managers as well as rural groups, voluntary agencies, sport associations and businesses.

The venture is the result of a collaboration between the Forestry Commission, the East of England Development Agency (EEDA), the East of England Tourist Board and Sport England East.  Dr Suzanne Martin of Forest Research also assisted with the development of the site.

Steve Scott, Conservator for the Forestry Commission in the East of England, said:

“There is a huge range of untapped opportunities in our region to develop recreation, particularly in woodland. I hope that this website will encourage landowners and woodland managers to find out how they can diversify their available resources, to provide a financial return in a sustainable manner alongside other woodland priorities such as timber production and biodiversity.”

The website is an interactive resource with two main entry points. On entering the site users are given the option to navigate to the Commercial Woodland Recreation section  or to visit the Rural Sport and Recreation section.  The former is aimed at existing or prospective woodland owners and managers who are seeking new ways to make money from their land and woods. At its heart this part of the website has a powerful “Wizard” which helps pinpoint innovative woodland recreation activities.

The Rural Sport and Recreation site guides those who are engaged in designing, developing and implementing community activities and includes real life case studies of projects that are helping to increase access to sport and physical activity in many isolated areas.

Lord Clark, Chairman of the Forestry Commission, has praised the partnership working behind the scheme, adding :

“The Forestry Commission works with a whole array of partners to make the most of what our woodlands have to offer - from walking and extreme biking challenges, to tai-chi in the silence of the dawn and archery.

“Many of these things are being done up and down the country and there is the potential for lots more.  The beauty of this site is that it lets people see how it can really happen, and how we can develop attractions that will get more people out in the open air enjoying themselves.”

The launch event demonstrated a flavour of some of these opportunities with demonstrations of Frisbee golf and llama trekking, and children from  Bosmere School, near Needham Market, were given a unique opportunity to experience them first-hand.