Northern Ireland’s nature access gap exposed as 80% want more time outdoors

A major new report has revealed a striking contradiction at the heart of life in Northern Ireland — while millions of outdoor visits are made every year and most people say nature improves their wellbeing, only a small minority believe they can easily reach greenspace close to home.

The findings, published in the latest People in the Outdoors Monitor for Northern Ireland (POMNI), show overwhelming public demand for better access to parks, woodlands, coastlines and natural spaces, with four in five adults saying they want to spend more time outdoors.

Yet despite that appetite, only 17% of adults surveyed said they perceive greenspace to be within a five-minute walk of where they live.

The report — based on a representative survey of 4,000 adults across Northern Ireland throughout 2025 — paints a detailed picture of how deeply outdoor activity is connected to health, wellbeing, climate awareness and everyday quality of life.

Millions of outdoor visits recorded across Northern Ireland

Researchers found people in Northern Ireland make an estimated 134 million outdoor visits every year, averaging 92 visits per person annually.

Seven in ten adults said they spend time outdoors at least once a week, with participation levels remaining broadly consistent since the previous study in 2020/21.

The findings suggest the surge in appreciation for outdoor spaces seen during the pandemic has not disappeared.

Instead, demand appears to be growing further — particularly among urban residents and families who say they want more opportunities to spend time in nature.

The report defines outdoor visits as recreational time spent in green and natural spaces including parks, countryside areas and coastlines, but excluding private gardens or time outdoors for work.

Strong link between nature and wellbeing

Health and wellbeing emerged as one of the strongest themes throughout the report.

Researchers found 92% of outdoor visits were either motivated by or delivered health and wellbeing benefits, while 87% of people said spending time outdoors left them feeling physically or mentally better.

Respondents linked outdoor activity to reduced stress, improved mood, better physical health and greater life satisfaction.

The findings arrive at a time when pressure continues to mount on health services, mental health support systems and community wellbeing programmes across Northern Ireland.

The report suggests improving access to outdoor spaces could play a wider role in preventative health and healthier lifestyles.

Concerns raised over access inequality

While the overall findings showed strong public engagement with nature, the report also highlighted clear inequalities around who can easily access and enjoy outdoor spaces.

People living in deprived areas, disabled people and individuals experiencing loneliness were among those more likely to face barriers preventing participation.

Some respondents reported concerns including:

• poor health

• lack of transport

• fear of going outdoors alone

• limited facilities

• lack of information

• feeling outdoor spaces were “not for people like me”

Researchers warned that limited access to nearby greenspace can reduce opportunities for communities to experience the physical and mental benefits associated with outdoor activity.

The report uses a five-minute walking distance — approximately 400 metres — as a recognised planning benchmark for local greenspace accessibility.

Outdoor activity linked to climate awareness

The findings also point to a strong relationship between spending time outdoors and concern about environmental issues.

Among people who spend time outdoors every week, 86% said they are concerned about climate change and biodiversity loss affecting local greenspaces.

Overall, 68% of adults expressed concern about climate change and biodiversity loss, while 90% reported taking at least one pro-environmental action in the past year.

Researchers said the findings support wider government policy goals around climate awareness, environmental improvement and community wellbeing.

The report is jointly published by Outscape, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), and the Department for Communities (DfC).

It is intended to track progress against targets contained within Northern Ireland’s Programme for Government Wellbeing Framework and Environmental Improvement Plan.

Calls for investment in local greenspaces

(L-R) Minister for Communities, Gordon Lyons MLA, Dawson Stelfox MBE, Chairperson of Outscape, and Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir MLA.

The research found overwhelming support for greater public investment in outdoor spaces.

Nine in ten adults said Northern Ireland’s natural spaces should be properly funded and included in government and council plans aimed at improving communities.

Dawson Stelfox MBE, Chairperson of Outscape, said the findings showed both the public value placed on nature and the challenges still preventing equal access.

“The POMNI findings show clearly that people across Northern Ireland value the outdoors and want to spend more time in nature,” he said.

“The challenge now is to ensure everyone can do so. That means investing in good-quality local greenspaces, improving access and facilities, and addressing the barriers that prevent some groups from taking part.

“By working together across government, local authorities and communities, we can help ensure that the benefits of the outdoors are available to everyone.”

Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir said the findings underlined how closely connected nature is to public wellbeing and environmental protection.

“This report clearly shows how important nature and the outdoors are to people across Northern Ireland,” he said.

“Spending time in nature supports our health and wellbeing, helps people connect with the natural world and builds public support for protecting the environment.

“The findings underline the importance of improving both the quality of our natural spaces and access to them, so that more people can experience these benefits while we continue to protect and restore nature for future generations.”

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said the research demonstrated the role outdoor activity can play in supporting healthier lifestyles.

“The POMNI findings are a powerful reminder that the outdoors can play a major role in helping people live healthier, more active lives,” he said.

“The research highlights that many people want to spend more time outdoors but face barriers that make participation more difficult.

“By improving access to local greenspaces and creating welcoming environments for everyone, we can help more people enjoy the outdoors and support healthier, more active communities.”

What the report found

Key findings from the POMNI 2025 report include:

• 70% of adults spend time outdoors at least once a week

• Approximately 134 million outdoor visits are made annually across Northern Ireland

• 80% of adults want to spend more time outdoors

• 92% of outdoor visits are linked to health and wellbeing benefits

• Only 17% perceive greenspace within a five-minute walk of home

• 68% are concerned about climate change and biodiversity loss

• 90% took at least one pro-environmental action in the past year

The full POMNI 2025 Headline Report will be available at:

www.out-scape.com/pomni/

The findings are likely to intensify debate around access to public greenspace, urban planning and investment in community infrastructure as councils and Stormont departments continue shaping long-term wellbeing and environmental policy across Northern Ireland.