ABSTRACT

This chapter identifies and highlight key aspects of the socio-economic worth of countryside management and recreation and to focus on issues threatening or limiting realisation of this value. The former Countryside Commission, local authorities, and other stakeholders identified Countryside Management target areas. The former Countryside Commission, local authorities, and other stakeholders identified Countryside Management target areas, These were generally considered areas of greatest regional need in terms of dereliction, pollution, degradation, and socio-economic decline. The studies highlighted potential and proven roles of countryside management and associated sport and recreation in delivering key aspects of active citizenship, the Big Society, and health agendas. The reviews undertaken and the associated action research highlight that some of the most successful providers of outdoor activity education are from the voluntary sector. Thus the local authorities support core facilities and resources essential to unleash wider potential from the business sector and from the voluntary players.