Perceptions of Outdoor Sports by Protected Areas Managers

Perceptions of Outdoor Sports by Protected Areas Managers - Europarc

The SEE Project aims to create a more sustainable approach to outdoor sports and recreation through education. Last year, through a European-wide survey, information was gathered on the perceptions of Outdoor Sports by Protected Area Managers. The results are available now.

EUROPARC wants to thank all our members that took the time to fill out this survey! The results will contribute to the preparation of a toolkit for outdoor sports trainers and educators. The toolkit will help effectively educate practitioners into more sustainable, respectful and enjoyable experience of being active in nature.

The “BeActive, BeOutdoors, BeResponsible” report provides an initial analysis of the data collected. There is also a summary available for different types of outdoor sports.

KEY FINDINGS: Perceptions about Outdoor Sports by Protected Areas Managers

Most Protected Areas indicated selected hiking (88.3%), mountain biking (57.5%), cycling (53.2%), running/orienteering (50%) and horse riding (39,2%) as the top 5 most practised outdoor sports.
The most consistent issues throughout the majority of habitats were perceived to be linked to hiking and were namely issues with unleashed dogs, and in mountain biking where conflicts with other users and practice in restricted areas were usually perceived as the most prominent issues.
70% of the respondents indicated that they monitor or estimate visitors numbers and 55% follow a visitor management plan but only 9% held the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism (ECST).

Read the report here