National Outdoor Recreation Forum (NI)

In Northern Ireland, the National Outdoor Recreation Forum (NORF) was established in 2016 to provide a mechanism for representatives from governing bodies of sport, local forums, and other non-governmental stakeholders to have an effective and united voice for the development of outdoor recreation. Mountaineering Ireland has participated in NORF from the outset.

NORF has been involved in addressing strategic and policy issues, particularly in responding to a review of access legislation in Northern Ireland. Mountaineering Ireland has been centrally involved in a proposal from NORF for the development of an Outdoor Recreation Bill for Northern Ireland. The proposal is based on providing quality outdoor recreation opportunities for this and future generations, in a way that achieves a balance between the common good, the rights of landowners and protection of the natural environment.

The Chairperson of NORF sits on the Strategic Outdoor Recreation Group which leads the delivery of Our Great Outdoors Northern Ireland’s Outdoor Recreation Action Plan.