To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs whether there are plans to develop outdoor learning opportunities in his Department’s forestry estate.

I recognise the opportunities that our forest environment provides for outdoor learning. The Department’s forests already make a significant contribution through organised school visits and facilitating their use by a wide range of outdoor activity and educational providers.

School visits to forests provide real-life opportunities to learn about our environment and the importance of its protection, sustainability and the role forests can play in addressing the challenges of climate change. The facilities in forests, available in partnership with Councils and other providers, includes learning opportunities about nature, wildlife, biodiversity, historical and cultural environment and developing outdoor-based skills.

I am happy to continue to work with the Education Minister and his team to explore how we build further on the opportunity that our forests and indeed other public amenities present to foster the interest in protecting and enhancing our natural environment that I know is shared by so many young people.