Countryside Recreation: A handbook for managers

Description

Visiting the countryside is now the most popular leisure activity in Britain, with over 1,600 million visits a year, according to recent Countryside Commission data. As the awareness of the general public about the countryside and the environment in general is increasing, so too is the range of recreational opportunities on offer and the amount of leisure time available for people to enjoy them. These changes have brought about many pressures on the countryside and are continuing to do so . In the centre of this process are the countryside recreation sites (country parks, country estates, picnic sites, nature reserves and so on) which are seeking to provide a balance of opportunities and attractions within the countryside, whilst at the same time protecting the natural history and landscape. Managing these sites requires a great degree of skill and understanding of physical and human processes. Furthermore, new trends in seeing these sites as a 'gateway' to the enjoyment of the wider countryside bring with them new requirements and opportunities. Countryside Recreation outlines the principles of site development and management in the countryside. The various elements which shape countryside recreation are examined: human demands, physical constraints, ecological and aesthetic considerations and the legal framework surrounding countryside recreation provision. The process of management is explained and the types of facility and opportunity which might be provided by the Countryside Manager, including visitor centres, nature trails, interpretation, ranger services and special events. All these are then set within the context of the site management plan, which also examines staffing and economic considerations for the site. With this concise handbook and introduction countryside managers will get to know the issues they will have to confront and acquire the skills to succeed in handling them.