Natural England - Outdoors for All
Outdoors for All
Natural England has the responsibility to promote access, recreation and public well-being for the benefit of today's and future generations.
We will increase the opportunities available for people to make the natural environment an enriching part of their daily lives. Our objective is to improve the quality of places and increase the number and diversity of people inspired by and enjoying the environment.
The Diversity Review
The Outdoors for All programme is based on findings from the Diversity Review, which showed that some people are not as likely to access the natural environment for recreation and other purposes. The under-represented groups were found to be disabled people, black and minority ethnic people, people who live in inner city areas and young people.
Action Research Projects from the Diversity Review
Outdoors for All? Action Plan
The Outdoors for All? Action Plan was launched by Jonathan Shaw MP in March 2008. The Action Plan aims to ensure that opportunities are maximised for more people from currently under-represented groups to benefit from everything that the outdoors has to offer. Natural England’s role in the plan is to champion diversity and equality and to oversee delivery of activities agreed in the plan. A number of partner organisations are also committed to delivery of the Outdoors for All? Action Plan.
Getting people outdoors
Why not visit one of England's National Nature Reserves? These are some of the country's key wildlife sites and provide opportunities to experience wildlife at first hand and to learn more about nature conservation. Disabled Access to the NNRs has been audited and the Direct Enquiries website gives photographic details of access and facilities at 25 of the most popular sites so that potential visitors can find out what the site has to offer and decide for themselves whether access is possible.
Other Places to Enjoy Find out about other places you can visit including the coast, country parks and national trails.
Walking for Health provides health walk schemes to encourage people, particularly those who take little exercise, to make regular short walks in their communities.
One Million Children Outdoors is providing opportunities for children to enjoy nature and the natural environment.
Natural England wants all people to be able to Enjoy the Natural Environment.
Natural England is committed to "Contributing towards achieving a strong, healthy and just society. We aim to do so by promoting personal wellbeing, social cohesion and inclusion, and creating equal opportunity for people in existing and future communities".
Events to enjoy in the outdoors
Diversity work in Natural England
Access to Nature is a Big Lottery funded grant scheme administered by Natural England. Many of the grants are facilitating links between under-represented groups and nature. For example:
Mosaic is building links between ethnic minority communities and National Parks.
Let Nature Feed Your Senses is a partnership between LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) and the Sensory Trust that develops greater understanding of the relationship between nature, farming, food and our everyday lives.
VisitWoods, the first comprehensive, interactive website showcasing virtually all publicly accessible woodland in the UK is being created by the Woodland Trust.
Diversity and Equality in Natural England
Publications produced by the Diversity Team
