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Overview of Topic 7.5 EU and Irish Government Acknowledge the Health and Wellbeing Benefits of ForestWell explores how both the European Union (EU) and the Irish government recognise and promote the significant health and wellbeing benefits associated with forest-based recreation and wellness initiatives. It highlights the positive impact of forest and outdoor activities on public health, mental well-being, and economic development. It examines key policies and frameworks such as the EU Forest Action Plan and Ireland’s National Outdoor Recreation Strategy, demonstrating how they support and enhance the role of forests in improving quality of life, promoting sustainable tourism, and enabling rural development. It provides insights into the substantial economic contributions of outdoor recreation and how investments in forest wellness can lead to long-term benefits for communities and the environment.
Forest and outdoor recreation offers significant benefits to public health and well-being, making it a vital public good. The use of public lands, trails, and facilities for outdoor activities not only provides free access but also contributes to substantial improvements in physical and mental health, resulting in savings on healthcare expenditure. A pilot project conducted by Coillte and the HSE,Ireland demonstrated the profound impact of regular outdoor forest-based recreation on the health outcomes of prescribed patients, described as the “single biggest intervention in mental health services in 20 years.’Forest-based activities, such as angling, play a crucial role in promoting active ageing by incorporating various physical activity levels, providing therapeutic engagement with nature, and promoting social connections, all essential for maintaining positive mental health and well-being’. (Source Coillte, Ireland Outdoor Recreation Plan)
Recreation serves as a driving force for health and well-being through prevention, aligning with initiatives like ‘Healthy Ireland’ and ‘Health-Promoting Community’ in Iceland to name a few, a national framework aimed at improving health and well-being by increasing the proportion of healthy individuals, reducing health inequalities, and providing opportunities for healthy outdoor recreation across the country. Interaction with the outdoors has been shown to significantly contribute to psychological and mental well-being, highlighting the transformative power of outdoor recreation. The Countryside Recreation Network emphasises ‘the potential of public lands to contribute to the health agenda of the country, underscoring the importance of accessible outdoor spaces in promoting overall well-being’. (Source Countryside Recreation Network)
In addition to direct health benefits, outdoor recreation enhances user quality of life in various ways, contributing to their overall well-being. The utility value associated with access to public lands is estimated to be significant, with forests, canals, and iconic landscapes playing a vital role in enhancing the well-being of local communities. Overall, outdoor recreation not only promotes physical health but also enriches the lives of individuals and communities, underscoring its importance.
The recreational use of forests, both state and private, is set to grow significantly in Europe, given increased levels of urbanisation, growing wealth and leisure time, and increasing interest in outdoor pursuits and nature. Forest recreation holds significant potential for rural development diversifying the tourism product base and maximising the utilisation of rich natural resources. As demand for outdoor recreation grows, there is an increasing need for outdoor recreation resources and spaces, particularly in urbanising areas. Recognising forests as providers of public goods and experiences, the European Forest Action Plan emphasises their role in enhancing quality of life and supporting sustainable forest management. Nature tourism, including forest recreation, is identified as a key contributor to sustaining vibrant rural landscapes. (Source Review of Forest Recreation Needs in Ireland)
The EU Forest Action Plan (2006) also acknowledges the multifunctional role of forests in social and cultural values – ‘forests are attractive to city dwellers, they provide opportunities for recreational and healthy activities and represent a considerable cultural heritage’. (Source European Union Forest Action Plan)
ForestWell supports economic recovery, rural regeneration, tourism business diversification and assists in growing the tourism industry using innovative eco-friendly approaches. This integrated model aims provides an alternative better way to deliver tourism incorporating holistic well-being experiences, implementing sustainable tourism practices, and capitalising on the rising trend of nature-based wellness travel.
The potential of rural recreation and tourism to support economic development was highlighted by the Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA) in 2014. Despite this potential, rural areas have often been viewed as secondary tourist destinations, hindering their full utilisation as tourism and recreation resources. However, research, innovation, and an integrated approach are needed to realise the economic benefits of rural recreation fully. (Source Energising Irelands’ Rural Economy) ForestWell fits seamlessly with the goals outlined by CEDRA, demonstrating the right components, strategies and innovations. ForestWell initiatives have the potential to transform rural areas nto vibrant, primary tourist destinations that contribute significantly to local and regional economic development
Coillte Ireland who manage and protect Ireland’s forestry and businesses say ‘ the accessible and inclusivity of forests and woodland amenities are highly valued, contributing to the health and well-being of urban communities. Well-developed recreation infrastructure not only supports the social fabric of society but also boosts the tourism sector by attracting economic activity, especially in rural and remote areas. Forests cater to a wide range of activities, from informal outings like family picnics and strolls to formal specialist activities like hiking, wildlife watching, and mountain biking’. (Source Coillte, Ireland Outdoor Recreation Plan)
Irish economic assessments demonstrated the substantial economic impact of trail usage and forest recreation, with users contributing €95 million to the national trails system and spending €307 million on food, accommodation, and equipment, much of which occurs within rural areas and communities. Effective and sustainable management of outdoor recreation infrastructure is essential for creating employment opportunities, with potential for up to 2,500 jobs in the Irish tourism sector and an additional 100 jobs for trail management. Moreover, investment in training and skills development, both in recreation infrastructure and business management, is crucial for the continued growth and sustainability of forest recreation in rural areas. (Source A Guide to Planning and Developing Recreational Trails in Ireland 2012). As the demand for outdoor recreation continues to grow, investment in enhancing and expanding recreational facilities in forests can further stimulate economic development and support rural communities across Ireland. Therefore Irish businesses are encouraged to partner with and assist in leveraging the economic, social and environmental benefits of ForestWell initiatives, recognising the potential for mutual benefit and growth. Encouragement of diversification is also emphasised for complementary businesses such as festivals and events, farmers, forest landowners, accommodation providers, adventure centers, and activity providers who can earn income-generating opportunities from ForestWell initiatives and concepts.
The Council for Forest Research and Development emphasises ‘the development of forests for recreation aligns with sustainable forestry practices, meeting the increasing demands for access to forest-related recreational activities while providing wide-ranging benefits to society. ForestWell aims to capitalise on these opportunities by integrating forest-based well-being and tourism into vocational education and training programs, ultimately contributing to the sustainable utilisation of forests and the overall well-being of communities. (Source COFORD 2030)
In Ireland, the demand for outdoor recreation has grown significantly over the last number of years. This global trend is evidenced in Ireland by the increase in domestic demand where the population is participating in recreational walking every week, rising from 64% in 2015 to 74% in 2021.
In terms of overseas visitors, in 2014, 1.5 million overseas visitors engaged in outdoor activities in Ireland, and this market was worth more than €900 million.In 2019 this figure jumped to 2.7 million visitors. These visitors took part in outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling in our forests and countryside.
Roughly one-third of our foreign tourists visit a forest park during their stay in Ireland. It has been demonstrated that the provision of nature reserves in Irish forests significantly increases the monetary returns from forest sites to recreational users and enhances their willingness to pay for access.
(Source Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023 – 2027)
In response to this surge in demand for outdoor activities and experiences, Ireland has developed its First Ever National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023 – 2027. The strategy attends to the demand for outdoor activities focusing on our parks, forests, countryside and trails. To maximise on the economic and health benefits, as a result the Irish Tourism Minister announded €14 million will be used for the development of 59 outdoor recreation amenities in our outdoor environments (including forests) and to support outdoor pursuits such as hiking, forest bathing, mountaineering, kayaking, and cycling and more.
Minister Humphreys says, “I want to make Ireland the destination of choice internationally for outdoor adventures!”
“The pandemic awakened a new discovery to explore amongst the Irish public. When we were confined to our counties or we could only meet friends and family outdoors, we gained a new found appreciation for the unique amenities we have on our doorstep whether it’s our forest parks, our mountain trails, our rivers, our greenways or our stunning beaches. Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors is about building on this momentum. It is about the strategic development of Ireland’s Outdoor Recreation sector so we can deliver maximum benefits to communities across the country. Those benefits are huge. Spending time outdoors supports our mental and physical health and it improves our quality of life. There also huge economic benefits, particularly for rural communities, with over 2.7 million overseas visitors taking part in outdoor activities every year in Ireland. Through this Strategy – I believe we can make Ireland the destination of choice internationally for outdoor recreation and adventure tourism.” Minister of Tourism, Heather Humphreys) (Source Irish Goverment Press Report 2022)
The FORESTWELL Projects aims are to implement the innovative and stimulating learning environment in VET and creation of an upskilling pathway for entrepreneurs in wellness and tourism.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the National Agency. Neither the European Union nor National Agency can be held responsible for them.