Have you come across the Outdoor Alliance for Wales?

Have you come across the Outdoor Alliance for Wales? No? I suspect you haven’t. They tried to make some waves a week or two ago by releasing a manifesto - and it’s a brilliant one. The whole thing is really, really encouraging.

I’ve long been a fan of outdoor organisations working better together, and that’s exactly what’s happening here. A whole range of organisations have joined forces — you’ll be familiar with the BMC, but they’ve teamed up with the Ramblers, Cycling UK, and other groups like the RSPB, National Trust, the National Parks, the British Horse Society, and many more. Check out the manifesto for the full list.  It’s a really impressive list of organisations that have come together to release this manifesto for the outdoors. I can’t celebrate it enough, but it hasn’t made the media waves we wish it would.

The manifesto talks about being active in the outdoors to better understand our environment. It discusses movement in outdoor spaces and physical activity as ways to improve health. It highlights the positive effect on the economy, but at the same time, it calls for better access. Access that works for everyone. And it also emphasises the responsibilities that come with that access.

It lays out, for policymakers and government,  those who have the power to make decisions about our futures,  the kinds of conversations that you and I have had on the hill, and will continue to have on the hill: simple but vital things like funding public rights of way, creating opportunities for everyone to engage in outdoor education, and highlighting the responsibilities people have when they go out into the countryside.

It’s a strong and timely piece of work, and I sincerely hope it gains some traction with the government here in Wales, particularly as we move towards elections next year. Don’t hold your breath, but do take a look at the manifesto yourself, get behind its aims, and highlight its goals to any politicians you may know.

Read the Outdoor Alliance Wales Manifesto 2026 here: https://www.wato.org.uk/outdoor-alliance-wales/