Orienteering is considered an appropriate activity on National Trust land. Orienteers are generally responsible and their activity is well managed and there are few problems as a consequence.

Guiding principles

1. The National Trust welcomes orienteering on its land, recognising its educational merit and value as an activity for a great range of ages and abilities.

2. The National Trust should continue to manage orienteering by permits and licences and make a charge to cover costs and/or contribute to the maintenance of facilities.

Good practice
Liaise closely with local clubs and the British Orienteering Federation (BOF).

Refer to Environmental Good Practice in Orienteering produced by BOF.

Numbers of participants and the type and frequency of events should be determined by local assessment.

Zones should be established to protect 'remote' areas, in order to retain the peace and quiet highly valued by many visitors.

Ensure licences and permits detail acceptable practices, eg no paint marks on trees, rocks etc., no nails to be hammered into trees, re-routing in wet weather, markers, posts and litter to be removed afterwards.

Forewarn local residents if a large influx of cars is expected.

If there is a breakdown in communication locally inform BOF.

Monitoring suggestions
Record levels of use and if there are concerns record impacts or implement more detailed monitoring.

Trends
Increasing. BOF membership 12,000 in 1990; forecast to increase by 5% pa. National Curriculum encourages orienteering. Approximately 8,000 orienteer at least twice a month. Occasional orienteers take total to 100,000+ in UK.

Possible impacts
Good maps are provided which are useful for many purposes. Port Stewart Strand, Northern Ireland; Formby, Mercia

Localised damage to vegetation can occur if course sites include fragile areas.

Temporary disturbance to breeding birds, but no long-term or permanent damage at current levels of use. The sporadic nature of orienteering gives ample recovery periods for both fauna and flora.

Disturbance of the enjoyment of others, particularly during large events, as a result of pressures on local transport networks and services.

Contacts and liaison

British Orienteering Federation (BOF)
Riversdale,
Dale Road North,
Darley Dale,
Matlock
DE4 2HX

Tel: 01629 734042
Fax: 01629 733769
Email: bof@bof.cix.co.uk

Welsh Orienteering Association
Coedlan,
Cefn Drum,
Pontardulais,
Swansea,
West Glamorgan
SA4 1NJ

Legislation, codes and agreements
Licences and permits are currently drawn up on a site by site basis.

References
BOF - quarterly newsletter.

'Compass Sport' magazine.

Welsh Orienteering Association - 'Y Ddraig' magazine.

British Orienteering Federation (undated). Orienteers and Your Land: Information for Landowners. British Orienteering Federation, Matlock, Derbyshire.

British Orienteering Federation (1997). Orienteering Rules and Guidelines. British Orienteering Federation, Matlock, Derbyshire.

British Orienteering Federation (1994). Handbook for Major Event Organisers. British Orienteering Federation, Matlock, Derbyshire.

British Orienteering Federation (1992). Environmental Good Practice in Orienteering. British Orienteering Federation, Matlock, Derbyshire.

Douglas, E.A. (1989). An Assessment of the Impact of the November Classic Badge Event 1988 on the New Forest. British Orienteering Federation, Matlock, Derbyshire.

Ecosurveys Ltd (1991). The Effect of the May 1991 Orienteering Event on the Breeding Bird Community of Brandon Park. British Orienteering Federation, Matlock, Derbyshire.