Reach out and understand

What does success look like?

People of all ages, backgrounds and abilities are able to access Dartmoor and feel welcome. Every visitor has positive and immersive experiences resulting in a long-lasting connection and care for the place and its communities.  More people can benefit from the health and well-being benefits that Dartmoor offers

How will this be achieved?

Partners will achieve a greater reach and welcome by better understanding the needs of different people and building partnerships:

  • By the end of 2022 undertake research into visitor motivations and, working with partners, use this to help shape future recreational and outreach activity.
  • By the end of 2023 develop cycling and horse riding improvement plans, that will also benefit walking. Seek resources to deliver these.
  • Work with local and national user groups to improve recreation opportunities where these can be sustainably managed, deliver community and economic benefit and contribute to active and sustainable travel.
  • By the end of 2025 improve up to 20 ‘Miles Without Stiles’ routes to increase accessibility for visitors with limited mobility (providing improved access for wheelchairs and mobility scooters) across the National Park.
  • By the end of 2025 Increase proportion of Public Rights of Way defined as easy to use to 90%
  • From 2022 Natural England will develop a new ‘people & nature survey’ that will gauge public perception, priority and use of the natural environment at a national level.  Partners will actively contribute to this work through analysing and learning from this data to ensure it is shared and benefits decision-making on Dartmoor

We will achieve a wider representation of visitors by reaching out to new audiences and spreading the benefits:

  • By the end of 2025 seek resources to deliver the strategy for outreach and understanding including physical access and remote access via digital channels
  • From 2022 identify funding to deliver the coordinated partnership communication strategy in order to provide clear and inspiring information for visitors starting at the point they first make a decision to come to Dartmoor
  • Work with national and local user groups to promote positive actions, increasing understanding of environmental limitations alongside improved facilities
  • By the end of 2025 deliver a network of 10 on-site farm information boards. By 2022 build on existing national programmes to expand and promote an annual programme of farm and woodland open days to enable people to experience and understand the role of farming and forestry in looking after the National Park.
  • By the end of 2024 work with local GP surgeries to develop new relationships with social prescribers promoting activities on Dartmoor to help improve health and well-being of more people.

Partners will achieve a wider representation of visitors and a long-lasting connection by looking to the future and having a focus on young people from all backgrounds:

  • Working in partnership through Sustainable Outdoor Learning in Devon (S.O.L.I.D.), AONBs and the Dartmoor Educators Forum, from 2022, design and pilot a new inclusive and progressive approach to school visits aiming to build a long-lasting connection with Dartmoor for all children in Devon. With the Community Engagement Rangers take opportunities to test the feasibility that :
    • by the age of 11 children will have visited Dartmoor
    • by 14 all students will have had at least one residential or camping overnight experience on Dartmoor
    • by 18 all students will have had an opportunity to contribute positively through conservation volunteering
  • From 2022 collaborate with existing and new partners to remove barriers, encouraging and enabling more young people to explore and enjoy Dartmoor outside of a formal setting; through for example: Ranger Ralph, Junior Rangers and Youth Rangers, John Muir Award and other opportunities through Scouts and Guides, Youth Hostel Association and Duke of Edinburgh Award
  • Work with at least one secondary school to pilot an outdoor-focused school curriculum as an alternative to traditional academic learning.