This year’s Annual Outdoor Visitor Survey has been launched to help establish a greater understanding of public use of the Island’s forests.
The survey assists the Isle of Man Government with the forward planning and policy development of the Island’s hills, forests and glens.
Data gathered will focus on visitor numbers, determining whether there is a demand for further sport and recreation and obtaining ideas for future developments for both residents and visitors.
David Cretney MHK, Member for the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, said:
‘Through the Programme for Government we’re committed to taking care of our uplands, plantations, glens and rivers. We want to make them a place for people to enjoy being alongside nature in a way that best suits them.
‘Last year’s survey was extremely useful to help determine where and why people are using the Island’s glens. Since then a number of improvements have been made to the majority of the glens to help reflect the reason why people are visiting them, and to encourage more people to venture out and enjoy these wonderful places.’
Last year the annual survey focused on the Island’s 18 glens with results from the 2018 survey contributing to a number of improvement works being untaken at various glens around the Island.
The survey will be open until the end of August and can be completed online, at a number of sites around the Island’s forests or by visiting the Forestry stand at the Royal Agricultural Shows this summer.
To complete the 2019 Annual Outdoor Visitor Survey and view results from the 2018 Annual Outdoor Visitor Survey, visit: www.gov.im/outdoorsurvey
