Forest Service Challenge Fund 2014: Enhancing Forest Tourism Infrastructure

1. FOREST SERVICE NIEA Challenge Fund 2014

2. Background • Forest Service – An agency of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development responsible for the management of approximately 76,000 ha, almost 5% of the land area of Northern Ireland • New Forestry Legislation- The Forestry Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 enables a wider development of opportunities and partnerships to realise additional value from the wider recreational use of the forest estate.

3. Recreation Strategy • Launched in July 2009 • Outlined how Forest Service will promote the recreational and social use of our forests • Commitment to work in partnership to secure a more diverse range of facilities and attractions for the enjoyment of present and future generations

4. Key Achievements of Partnership Working • Memorandum of understandings in place with councils covering approx 60% of FS estate • Major mountain bike projects completed in Castlewellan Forest Park, Rostrevor forest and Davagh forest in partnership with Down DC, Newry and Mourne DC and Cookstown DC • Multi-purpose trails network completed in Castle Ward in partnership with National Trust • Regional playpark opened in Slieve Gullion Forest Park summer 2012 in partnership with Newry and Mourne DC • Biodiversity trails opened in Learmount forest in partnership with Derry CC and the local community group • A suite of walking trails completed in west Fermanagh forests to complement the tourist potential of the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark developed in partnership with Fermanagh DC • Childrens’ play area in Lissan forest developed in partnership with Lissan Trust.

5. Tourism Study • Study jointly commissioned by Forest Service and NITB • Study analysed tourism information and provided evidence-based proposals for tourism development in forests. • The report set out a forward vision ‘To use the forest estate to deliver an exceptional visitor and short break experience for all which will increase the economic impact of forest related tourism in Northern Ireland’

6. Vision Objectives • The vision is supported by three objectives; • To increase the economic impact of forest-related tourism • To encourage visitor experience and product development opportunities • To promote and enable effective partnership arrangements

7. Economy and Jobs Initiative • Forest Service secured £4 million from NI Executive’s Jobs and Economy Initiative under the theme ‘Supporting Infrastructural Investment’ • Purpose is to improve forest based tourism • Improve the quality and operational life of basic infrastructural assets that underpin forest based tourism and enable increased partner service delivery

8. Desired Outcomes of Funding • Local economy benefits as a result of an increase in visitor numbers and longer stays in the area • More opportunities for partners to become involved in delivering a wider range and higher quality of tourism services where infrastructure is enhanced to modern standards • Product / service provision costs matched to market demand • Support of jobs & skills in construction industry

9. Potential Improvement Categories • Infrastructure improvements to support partnership delivery and market growth; access, buildings, utilities • Information and communication improvements to promote forest sites; signage and interpretation • Integration of forest site infrastructure with partner/community led projects

10. The Challenge Fund is divided into five distinct streams

11. Challenge Fund – Forest Service Stream • Aims to improve recreational supporting infrastructure in a strategic manner • Not for recreational service delivery • Create opportunities for economic return through a wider range of visitor products/services through engagement with delivery partners

12. Challenge Fund – Key Points • Maximum of £30 K available per project • Delivery must be completed by 31 March 2015 • Projects may form part of a wider project but must have their own identifiable outcomes. • All projects to be on Forest Service land. • Projects must be recreational based and support forest tourism

13. What the Judges are Looking For? • Catering for market growth; Extent to which project proposals for supporting infrastructural improvements meet current, anticipated growth rates and opportunities for further increase in demand • Visitor impact; Extent to which the project facilitates the promotion of forest sites and new or improved services and standards • Public support and partnership potential – Extent of support for project improvements and partner involvement in delivery of new or improved services

14. Partnerships • Legal arrangements dependant on project proposal • To be agreed with Forest Service prior to any work commencing • Important that any project has longer term support if it is to make impact on improving forest-based tourism

15. Case Study – Learmount forest • Biodiversity Trails were developed in Learmount forest in 2011 through a partnership with Derry City Council and the Learmount community group • Work carried out included erection of signage, interpretation panels and publication material. • The trails and the forest is now more widely used by the local community, school groups and tourists • Learmount forest has been awarded second place in the category ‘Community Woodlands Award’ at the prestigious all-Ireland RDS awards ceremony at Castletown House, Kildare on 24 October. • The judges and many of the participants made a point of commending our partnership arrangements facilitating community integration in Learmount forest. • They were particularly impressed by the efforts of the city council, community group and the Learmount volunteers.