Natural Resource Management, Education and Conservation
Ireland’s countryside is undoubtedly a high quality natural resource which is extensive and diverse. Resource Management, Education and Conservation are ongoing requirements if our countryside is to continue to lend itself to the provision of opportunities for a wide range of countryside recreation activities for both the local population and for an increasing number of tourists.
To date, no national Country Code has existed in the south of Ireland, although a plethora of codes from various organisations have been developed. In the UK, currently, three different versions of the Country Code exist.
- In 1999, the Countryside Access and Activities Network (Northern Ireland) revisited the Country Code and modified it to make it more relevant to recreational users.
- More recently, England and Wales published a new Country Code following the introduction of the CROW Act and Scotland published another version, the ‘Access Code’, following the introduction of its freedom to roam legislation.
- We are still waiting on a Country Code for RoI.
The Leave No Trace message differs from all existing country codes in that it is an ‘education programme’ that constantly puts the message and skills before outdoor users. Its hard to argue against the 7 principles of Leave No Trace for reducing the damage caused by outdoor activities, which seem like basic concepts to be incorporated into resource management.
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Be Considerate of Others
- Respect Farm Animals and Wildlife
- Travel and Camp on Durable Ground
- Leave What You Find
- Dispose of Waste Properly
- Minimise the Effects of Fire
For more information please look at www.leavenotraceireland.org.