Outscape is a not-for-profit outdoor recreation organisation working across the island of Ireland

Outscape Conference 2026 is underway! Today we are delighted to welcome over 100 delegates to Edenmore Golf and Country Club for the Outscape Conference 2026: “Shaping Green and Blue Spaces: An Integrated Approach to Developing and Managing Quality Outdoor Spaces.” The room is filled with representatives from across the outdoor recreation sector, including local authorities, voluntary organisations, government departments, national governing bodies, the private sector and many other partners. This diversity reflects the very essence of today’s theme: working together to shape our green and blue spaces in ways that deliver interconnected benefits for people, nature and communities. Our opening session set the tone with a series of inspiring presentations that moved from regional-scale thinking to landscape-level collaboration and on-the-ground delivery at specific sites. The session began with our keynote presentation: Following the River Tweed: How Catchment Thinking and Partnership Working Unlocks Investment and Impact – Luke Fisher The Destination Tweed UK initiative is a powerful example of how catchment thinking and partnership working can unlock investment and deliver meaningful outcomes for communities and nature. The ambitious project will create a 113-mile trail involving more than 150 landowners, guided by the inspiring motto: “Tread lightly, travel deeply on the River Tweed Trail.” We then heard from Mike McClure](urn:li:person:RNLuHJ-m4m) \(@[Landscapes Northern Ireland\), who highlighted the challenging context we face today — from climate change and biodiversity loss to wider societal pressures. His presentation emphasised how landscape-scale approaches provide an important framework for addressing these interconnected challenges. Finally, we moved from landscape scale to a powerful site-based example through presentations on An Creagán](urn:li:person:-Eby2t-KUA) and Haughey’s Bog, showcasing the transformation underway to restore peatlands while creating meaningful opportunities for public engagement. @[Simon Gray, Head of Peatland Recovery at Ulster Wildlife, shared the story of Haughey’s Bog, where restoration comes first — but is combined with thoughtfully designed public access and educational resources. Together with insights from John Donaghy, Centre Manager at An Creagán, this case study beautifully illustrates how restoring nature, providing responsible access and educating future generations can go hand in hand. A key message emerging from the session is that access matters. Enabling people to experience habitats “up close and personal” helps foster understanding, appreciation and ultimately the commitment needed to protect these landscapes for the future. We’re looking forward to a full day of discussion, learning and collaboration as we explore how integrated approaches can shape the future of our green and blue spaces.

Our second session at the Outscape Conference 2026 continued the theme of integrated approaches to shaping green and blue spaces, with three powerful case studies spanning uplands, woodlands and urban parks. Together, they showed how communities, nature and visitors can thrive when places are planned and managed holistically. Community-led Integrated Development in the Uplands – Josephine Kelly \(Project Officer at Cairde na hEaragaile\) gave the first case study explored the inspiring work taking place around Dunlewey and Mount Errigal, where a vibrant local community sees itself as the custodian of its landscape. In recent years, Mount Errigal experienced significant erosion due to growing visitor pressure. Through a collaborative and integrated approach, this has been addressed by developing a sustainable trail system protecting the mountain from summit to bog. Central to the project has been building local capacity, empowering the community to play an active role in nature restoration, visitor management and education programmes. There is still much to do, but the progress is already clear: • Reduced erosion • Stronger stewardship of the landscape • Economic benefits for the local community It is a powerful example of how community leadership can shape sustainable outdoor recreation in sensitive upland environments. Ancient Woodland Restoration – John Martin](urn:li:person:Tr-Ccd--ln) \(Director for @[The Woodland Trust Northern Ireland\) highlighted the importance of restoring and expanding ancient woodland habitats, reminding us that only 0.04% of Northern Ireland is covered by ancient woodland. This stark statistic underlines the need for integrated action, combining: • Large-scale woodland creation • Riparian restoration • Community engagement • Education programmes with schools Their projects show how restoration can benefit both people and nature, protecting biodiversity while also creating inspiring spaces that people want to visit and connect with. Ward Park Improvement Scheme – Edel Trainor \(Outdoor Recreation Officer for Ards and North Down Borough Council\) focused on a much-loved Edwardian park that sits at the heart of Bangor. A new integrated vision is now guiding its future, enhancing the recreational, ecological, cultural and economic benefits it provides for residents and visitors. The plans include: • Improved accessibility • Enhanced biodiversity • Investment in the built environment • Upgraded visitor and play facilities • A new Dementia-friendly garden • Creative features such as Habitat Letters with bug hotels While many improvements are already underway, this is just the beginning of an exciting journey for the park and the wider community. Together, these three case studies perfectly captured the spirit of integrated action that runs through today’s conference. As Margaret Mead famously said: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

The breakout sessions at the conference provided excellent examples of taking an integrated approach to shaping green and blue spaces — bringing together conservation, recreation, communities and local economies to create places that work for both people and nature. At Divis and the Black Mountain – A View to the Future, Andrew Corkill from National Trust shared the long-term vision for this iconic upland landscape overlooking Belfast. The project brings together conservation, visitor experience and community engagement to enhance access while restoring habitats. Plans include peatland restoration, conservation grazing, a new summit trail and improved visitor facilities. A key takeaway was the importance of assembling the right multidisciplinary team - funders, designers, environmental specialists and contractors - to ensure projects deliver integrated outcomes for people and nature. In Mountain Bikers and the Capercaillie: Finding a Solution to a Conservation Crisis, Adam Streeter-Smith from Cairngorms National Park Authority shared a compelling case study on balancing recreation with species protection. Using detailed data on capercaillie locations and mountain bike trail use, the project demonstrates how evidence-led decision making and strong community engagement with the mountain biking community can help manage trails in ways that reduce disturbance and protect important habitats, while still enabling people to enjoy the outdoors. Finally, Key Principles of a Successful Blueway, presented by Chris Scott from Outscape and the Blueway Partnership, explored how waterways can be developed as high-quality recreation routes that also support local communities and conservation. Successful Blueways are designed to be welcoming to beginners or “dabblers”, supported by local activity providers, and connected to wider experiences such as walking trails, viewpoints and local heritage. They also play an important role in promoting responsible recreation and environmental awareness, supported by the Blueway Accreditation Criteria. Together, these sessions highlighted how collaboration, good data, community engagement and thoughtful design are essential for shaping landscapes that support nature recovery, recreation and local communities.

That’s a wrap for the Outscape Conference 2026 – “Shaping Green and Blue Spaces: An Integrated Approach to Developing and Managing Quality Outdoor Spaces.” Today we were delighted to welcome over 100 delegates to Edenmore Golf & Country Club, bringing together representatives from local authorities, voluntary organisations, government departments, national governing bodies, the private sector and many other partners. This diversity reflects the heart of today’s theme: working together to shape green and blue spaces that deliver benefits for people, nature and communities. Across the day we heard inspiring examples of integrated approaches in action, from catchment-scale collaboration along the River Tweed, to peatland restoration and public engagement at Haughey’s Bog, and community-led landscape stewardship around Mount Errigal. We also explored the importance of ancient woodland restoration, the renewal of urban parks like Ward Park in Bangor, and how projects such as Divis and the Black Mountain, Blueways development, and the Cairngorms capercaillie conservation initiative demonstrate that recreation, nature recovery and community benefit can be successfully planned together. In his closing reflections, Outscape Chair Dawson Stelfox highlighted three ingredients for successful place-shaping: • A strong vision that people can rally around • Genuine community involvement that builds social licence • Long-term commitment to maintenance, evaluation and reinvestment Ultimately, enhancing and protecting green and blue spaces depends on leadership across the sector. By working together, and continuing to build public support for access to nature, we can ensure these places deliver lasting benefits for both people and the environment. A final takeaway echoed throughout the conference: people and place can thrive together. With strong partnerships, meaningful community involvement and a long-term vision, recreation and nature recovery can reinforce each other rather than compete. A huge thank you to Outscape’s strategic funders — Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs \(DAERA\), NIEA Northern Ireland Environment Agency](urn:li:person:3Vhhyjoz\_c) and @[Sport NI — for their continued support in these endeavours and for funding this event, which provides a valuable platform for learning and collaboration across the sector.

Today at the Junction in Dungannon, we were delighted to officially launch Walking for All, a major cross-border walking initiative designed to strengthen rural communities and improve health and wellbeing through led walking. Outscape is proud to lead this project, in conjunction with 18 programme partners, through support from PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body \(SEUPB\) - European Funding. The programme responds to a clear and growing need for accessible, community-based physical activity, particularly in rural areas where opportunities to take part in structured, social exercise may be limited. By delivering free, led walks in local community spaces, Walking for All is designed to reduce barriers to participation, support mental and physical wellbeing, and strengthen social connection locally. The programme’s 16 regional Walking for All Officers are now actively working alongside communities in their local area to recruit Walk Leaders and form almost 600 walking groups across the regions. The event highlights the strength of cross departmental support and partnership behind the programme to deliver a sustainable, scalable model that supports healthier, more connected communities and we look forward to working with partners to embed Walking for All in communities for years to come. View the full media release on the brand new Walking for All website: www.walkingforall.com Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council Ards and North Down Borough Council Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust Derry City & Strabane District Council Donegal Local Sports Partnership](urn:li:person:PoJ\_NLoJlt) @[Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Louth Local Sports Partnership Mid Ulster District Council Mountaineering Ireland Sport Ireland

Outscape is pleased to mark the start of the Mullaghmatt Forest MTB Trail Design project. Following an initial site visit with the client and design team, the site shows strong potential - including exciting connectivity opportunities with the neighbouring Rossmore Forest Park, County Monaghan. We look forward to sharing more as the project progresses. Watch this space.