Guidelines for visiting countryside and forests

WITH HIGH numbers of visitors expected over Easter, leading rural organisations are urging people to follow guidelines while out in the countryside and forests.

Forestry England, which manages 1,500 woods and forests across the country, has issued guidance for people wanting to enjoy some time in nature as lockdown restrictions begin to ease.

This includes planning visits, bringing masks and sanitiser, taking litter home and implementing a ban on barbecues.

The organisation said there had been a large number of people visiting sites through the pandemic which it anticipated increasing as Covid restrictions ease and the warmer weather arrives.

“While high visitor numbers are helping to support Forestry England’s work and the local economy, there are challenges – ranging from some visitors parking thoughtlessly and leaving litter behind, to forgetting to be considerate to staff and each other,” a spokesperson said.

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) stressed the need to keep dogs under control while visiting the countryside, particularly at this time of year.

CLA Director North, Dorothy Fairburn, said: “It is vital that dog owners understand their responsibilities.

“It is the time of year when lambing is at its peak, and both ewes and lambs are at risk. Ewes are vulnerable and prone to abort their lambs if they are stressed by dogs.

“Ground nesting birds are also settled on their eggs at this time of year and are easily dislodged by loose dogs.”