Leave No Trace Ireland are delighted to accept an invitation from the Minister for Rural & Community Development, Heather Humphreys to join Comhairle Na Tuaithe as a representative on their Council. Leave No Trace Ireland will work in collaboration with Comhairle Na Tuaithe and their stakeholders to support the development of outdoor recreation activities in Ireland.
Minister Humphreys said, “I am delighted to welcome Leave no Trace Ireland as a representative on Comhairle na Tuaithe. Leave No Trace Ireland joins the Council at a very exciting time and will work in collaboration with other key stakeholders to deliver on Comhairle’s new mandate and contribute towards the development of a new National Strategy for outdoor recreation.
The continued growth of the sector must be balanced with the sustainable use of our natural resources, the protection of our environment and respect for landowners who permit their lands to be used for recreational purposes. To this end, Leave no Trace Ireland share the vision of Comhairle na Tuaithe and will work towards the development of outdoor recreation in a way which benefits communities nationwide and allows more people to experience the benefits of our natural capital in a responsible way.”
In June 2019, a new mandate was delivered to Comhairle na Tuaithe to strengthen its role in advising the Minister for Rural & Community Development on the sustainable development of outdoor recreation in Ireland, particularly in the open countryside.
As a representative of the Council, Leave No Trace Ireland will meet with other invited stakeholders four times per year. One of the key tasks for the Council will be to develop a National Strategy for Outdoor Recreation, which is intended to be submitted to the Government for formal endorsement in the second half of 2021.
Maura Kiely CEO of Leave No Trace Ireland says, “At Leave No Trace Ireland we are always looking to form partnerships with organisations that share our passion for preserving our great outdoors. We are honoured to be asked by Minister Humphreys to join Comhairle Na Tuaithe and look forward to playing an active role in delivering their vision.”
Comhairle na Tuaithe have a clear vision to be an effective collaborative body which supports the development of outdoor recreation activities for social, health and economic benefits. Like Leave No Trace Ireland, they actively promote sustainable and responsible use of the outdoors where the rights and responsibilities of both landowners and recreational users are recognised and respected.
