The Future of Outdoor Spaces, Recreation and Trails.
It’s now two weeks since I left Adelaide, but well before that I’ve regularly found myself in conversations or have struggled to not think about ‘the future’ for our outdoor spaces.
There’s a lot to consider...
Health benefits whether it be physical, mental, social or other
Economic injections such as tourism, events or commercial enterprise
Conservation of our biodiversity while also protecting native flora and fauna
Resource Management for supply of the water we drink or the timber we mill
In any sector or circumstance, thinking about the future can be overwhelming. There is a lot to consider. But specifically to the outdoors, what can we be doing?
Based on the experiences and conversations I’ve shared, here’s where my thoughts are currently at...
Youth - Our Future Generation
The value of experimental learning in outdoor settings can’t be under-estimated. The holistic learning opportunity in variable environments presents far greater value to all young people, whether they know it or not, than days inside buildings.
We need to be creating innovative ways to push back against the over-influence of technology. I don’t mean exclude, but certainly balance the screen time. Create more avenues for young people to find greater interest in practical adventure over virtual gaming.
Many young people are struggling to build their resilience, self-belief, confidence, communication, problem solving, creativity and other strength-based attributes. Young people deserve to aspire to who they want to be, not just what they want to be. The research and case studies are clear, when immersed in outdoor experiences, the positive psychological outcomes speak for themselves.
Mentoring - Improving Our Future
If I’m being totally honest, I’m a little tired about people making decisions based on their self interests over collective interests. I’ve come to realise that the decisions I make in life aren’t just decisions for me, and nor should they be. I’m a better person when I’m conscious of those who have come before me, inclusive of those who stand alongside me and aware of those who’ll follow after me.
Young people, are the people of the future who will inherit (without choice) the decisions and actions of those before them. I dream for community that builds connections between those who have walked considerable distances of the metaphorical trail of (outdoor) life and those who are just beginning their adventure.
There’s life long experience to be passed on, the least of which are the basic bush skills to make anyone’s time in the outdoors that much more enjoyable.
There’s the practical skills which can empower others to take action in the community. Whether it be building that new trail or maintaining the current one, organising an event or coaching new adventurers... there’s always learning and development to tackle.
And then there’s the professional knowledge where facts, figures, understandings and observations are shared. Because knowledge (sustainability, conservational, enjoyment, safety) is powerful, there’s so much value in sharing this with others who may not yet have had the chance to understand.
Globalisation - Our Future Community
The world is undoubtedly globalising. More people, interacting with more places, more frequently. Travel, and more specifically tourism numbers to iconic outdoor destinations are healthy and this means outdoor spaces are welcoming new and past visitors on a frequent basis.
This presents huge potential for new opportunities to create memorable outdoor recreational experiences in landscapes that require future-proof approaches. Naturally sustainability and conservation should remain priority, but close behind should be experiences. And there is no reason why all three can’t be delivered together.
Globalisation asks all of us to consider our differences in cultural, language, safety, and other ways of life. Already, this presents challenges for us in outdoor environments, and this challenge will require local managers, operators, authorities etc to continually seek out the best way forward to enable positive, sustainable, conservational, memorable experiences for all.
Involvement - Our Future Activities
I often wonder whether we (the general collective of the outdoor community) forget to ask ourselves whether we do enough to afford someone else the chance to experience the same things we do in the outdoors?
The experiences of the outdoors are nothing without participation. But participation isn’t easy. The vulnerabilities, unknowns, fears are real. For those of us who have been able to overcome these upfront hurdles, we should support others to do the same.
Furthermore, I believe that too many of us (myself included) have somehow attached ourselves to the idea that we’re entitled to everything the outdoors offers us. Whether it be landscapes, trails, scenic areas, facilities etc without taking responsibility to give back.
Outdoor spaces need our volunteering hours. When it comes to outdoor recreation maintenance, events, programs, infrastructure and more, we owe it to the broader community to put the time in, together. It’s not about policy or budgets, it’s not about who is supposed to do or should do... but rather, about ownership. Owning our opportunities, activities, aspirations and goals to make our outdoor spaces better than when we found them, so future generations have a model in which they can follow on with.
Let’s also not forget the employment opportunities available in outdoor recreation. For those looking to get their employment experience underway, the diversity of entry level jobs is endless. Opportunities in customer services, guiding, operations, sales, administration, instructing, retail, hospitality... from Adelaide to wherever in the world you’d like to seek adventure (hard not to get confused with all the Aussies here in Whistler). The outdoors doesn’t need to be your career, but speaking from experience, at the least, it certainly can help shape your future.
Removal of Barriers - Exploring The Possibilities of the Future
It’s clear that Australia is limited by too much red-tape. I’ve known for sometime that you can’t teach common sense. However, by its nature, we should be able to expect it. People need reminding that they are ultimately responsible for their decisions and actions and as a result, endure the consequences. We’re robbing people of their freedom to explore, adventure, think critically, consider their options and ultimately dig up the courage to back their decisions, uncertain of the outcome.
The reality is that this growing fear of risk/sued/accident is ultimately doing us all as human characters greater harm. We’re at the point where I often wonder what we can actually do in the outdoors? We need to spread the load, place greater responsibility on the individual and clarify the legitimate liability of those who can afford us all opportunities for authentic, risk-considered, fun-making, variable-giving adventures.
We also need to get serious about accessibility. Considered opportunities for those utilising adaptive equipment, those who are new and/or young, those who are carrying life-long injuries/disease and those who are elderly. We ALL deserve a place and opportunity in the outdoors and on trails.
Attitude - Facing Up To The Future
In the outdoors, attitudes are everything. They're impressionable on others whether it's a positive or negative attitude.
The outdoors should always be a place that is welcoming. We come to the outdoors for a variety of reasons, to explore, escape, adventure, rest... irrespective, we come to the outdoors for the green beauty and space. There’s plenty of it... so let’s welcome each other.
We all benefit from a sense of ownership in outdoor spaces. This can be as little as ensuring you leave only footprints and take only photos to as big as adopting a trail or area to maintain and conserve.
Without doubt, ownership brings people together, it shares responsibility, creates satisfaction for the efforts made and allows for a deeper level of connection and enjoyment.
Maintaining access, development and growth of outdoor spaces and trails won’t just happen. But with a sense of ownership and shared responsibility, it’s very likely we’ll advocate to others to build the vision, attract supporters to enable greater opportunities and appeal to funding bodies for financial investment.
We can’t forget why it is that we go outdoors. For everyone, ‘fun’ has a different meaning, but the outcome never changes. If we’re not having fun, then maybe we’re not doing it right?
The outdoors should also be safe. Again, the definition is different for everyone. Depending on their experience, ambition, fear capacity and much more. There is a significant difference between preparing for and managing risk and being reckless and stupid. The outdoors is unfortunately at the present time still a place full of both types of people.
The one thing we can’t debate is our attitude towards ensuring we leave lasting impressions when outdoors. The outdoors is not ours. We can have a sense of ownership (and responsibility), but we don’t and will never ‘own’ it. In many, if not all instances, it belongs to the First Nations (whether it be Aboriginal people at home or here in Canada, or Māori people in New Zealand). But even they don’t define ownership in the same way many of us do.
They value outdoor spaces for the ongoing access for all people through stewardship, connection, respect and sustainability. One eye on the now with the other eye looking to the future. We can all learn lots from our First Nations people, especially when it comes to outdoor spaces, recreation and trails.
What’s next?
It's Canada Day in Whistler. I started to week by finishing my time in New Zealand, before then living a 43 hour day on June 25 as I made my way across the Pacific from Auckland to Vancouver. I spent a few days in Vancouver before coming up here to Whistler where I settled for a few days.
It's back to Vancouver tomorrow night, before flying to Banff early Wednesday morning. By the end of the week I'll be in arriving in San Francisco to begin my time in the USA (and excitedly seeing my wife will be joining me!)
Thank you
Without people, this adventure wouldn't be the same. To those below, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy lives to spend it with me this past week. I am super grateful and really do look forward to staying in touch with you all.
Julianne Wilkinson, Recreation & Open Spaces Manager, Rotorua Lakes Council
Damian Clarke, Trail Manager, Rotorua Trails Trust
Mark Weatherall, Chief Executive, Te Araroa Trust – New Zealands Trail
Gaz Sullivan, Owner/Founder, NZO Active
Rachel Leinhardt, Sales and Marketing Executive, Skyline Rotorua
Fiona Ryder, Outdoor Projects Manager, Recreation Aotearoa
Rob McGee, Head of Active Recreation, Auckland Council
Dot Dalziell, Regiona l Field Advisor - Auckland, New Zealand Walking Access Commission
Derek Priestley, Section Manager, Park Operations, City of North Vancouver
Léon Lebrun, Southwest Regional Director, Trails BC
Brent Hillier, Host of Front Lines MTB Podcast and Community Manager, Trailforks
Kevin Titus, Alpine Club Canada - Whistler
Alistair McCrone, Recreation Officer - Sea to Sky District, Recreation Sites and Trails BC
Mitch Sulkers, Alpine Ranger, Resort Muncipality of Whistler
Follow Along
If you're not already, I'd love for you to also follow along with me on social media. I'm posting daily updates with photos between these extended blog posts.
The Winston Churchill Trust
This opportunity to travel around the world, learn from international experts and share in once-in-a-lifetime experiences wouldn't be possible without the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust.
I'm especially grateful to the Trust, as well as those from the Churchill Fellows Association in South Australia and those who supported the establishment of the Terry Lavender Scholarship. To receive such a Fellowship, let alone this scholarship is a really humbling privilege and it is a real honour to be able to recognise Terry Lavender in this way.