Annual Outdoor Visitor Survey 2021

Access and Recreation in the Uplands

The DEFA upland estate extends to over 8,000 hectares (20,000 acres), is publicly owned and freely accessible. It is therefore a valuable, yet sometimes overlooked and under explored asset for locals and tourists alike. In contrast to neighbouring jurisdictions, public ownership provides significant control to limit damaging activities, whilst offering additional opportunities to shape future access, use and management.

Our upland habitats are the Island's largest carbon store, facilitating low input low output food production. They are without doubt, a vital resource providing; all of our freshwater, flood regulation and, numerous habitats supporting iconic species of wildlife.
Whilst the points listed above highlight the many benefits of our uplands it would be disingenuous to think that all public access and land use expectations do not conflict with the interests of stakeholders, neighbouring private landowners and other user groups.

This year's survey looks to identify the numbers of people using our uplands and the reasons for use.

We welcome your feedback.

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* 1. What is your age?

17 or below

18-24

25-34

35-44

45-54

55-64

65-74

75 or over

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* 2. What is your gender?

Female

Male

Prefer not to say

Other (please specify)

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* 3. Where do you live?

IM1

IM2

IM3

IM4

IM5

IM6

IM7

IM8

IM9

I am a visitor to the Isle of Man

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* 4. How would you describe your level of knowledge and experience of the Island's upland Environment?

I'm very knowledgeable/experienced

I have some knowledge/experience

I have little or no knowledge/experience

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* 5. Are you a member of any of the following organisations associated with recreational or conservational activities?

Please tick all that apply.

Manx Wildlife Trust

Manx National Heritage

Manx Mountain Bike Club

Manx Fell Runners

Manx Footpath Conservation Group

Manx Bird Life

Manx Game Preservation Society

A Sporting Syndicate

Manx Ornithological Society

Manx Woodland Trust

RSPB

Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust

None of the above

If other, please specify

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* 6. Which of the following recreational/conservational activities have you undertaken during your visit(s) to the Island's upland areas in the last 12 months?

Please tick all that apply.

Hill walking

Specifically to walk dogs

Guided walking tours

Fell running

Mountain Biking

Guided Mountain Biking

Trail Riding/Green-laning (Motorcycle and 4WD)

Horse/ Pony Riding

Bird/Wildlife/Nature Watching & Studies

Angling upland streams or Sulby Reservoir or Block Eary Dam

Syndicate Activities

Training working dog(s)

Paragliding

Radio Controlled model aircraft flying

Drone Flying

Wildlife and/or Recreational Photography

Conservation land management

Volunteering including Shooting Tenants

Participating in a Recreational Event/Organised Activity

Visiting a site of Cultural/Historical Importance

If other, please specify

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* 7. In the last 12 months, how often on average have you visited the Island's upland areas for leisure, recreation and/or conservational purposes?

More than once a week

Once a week

Once or twice a month

Once every 2-3 months

Once or twice a year

Never

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* 8. When visiting the Island's uplands, are you usually

Alone

Walking dog

Riding Horse or Pony

With Family/Friends

In an Educational/Organised Group

At a Recreational Event

Other (please specify)

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* 9. Which one of the following options best describes your personal reasons for visiting the Island's upland areas?

Spending time with Family/Friends

To Exercise/Improve Physical Health

To Relax/De-stress/Improve Mental Health/Well-being

To be within a 'Remote'/'Wild' Environment

My work replies on the uplands (eg. Farmer)

Some of my work (paid or voluntary) takes place in the uplands (eg. Emergency services, walking guide or contractor)

I carry out voluntary work in the uplands

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* 10. How important do you perceive the upland areas to be?

Extremely important

Very important

Somewhat important

Not so important

Not at all important

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* 11. Please select all factors you consider important concerning the Island's upland areas.

Climate Change Mitigation

Flood Prevention

Carbon Sequestration (absorbing atmospheric carbon & storage)

Freshwater Filtration

Agricultural Purposes

Wildlife Habitat

Internationally significant habitats such as heather moorland and blanket bog

Cultural/Historical Importance

The opportunity to see wildlife of conservation concern (Hen Harrier or Curlew)

Vegetation Ecosystems

Recreational Value

Scenery

Ecosystem services (benefits to humans provided by the natural environment)

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* 12. Which of the following are your main reasons for not visiting the Island's uplands more often or at all?

Lack of public transport to upland areas

Don't have transport

Personal mobility reasons (difficulty in walking, unwell etc)

Access to uplands is limited

Bad weather

Lack of signage/way-marking on the uplands

Lack of information about upland areas and access to upland areas

Too far away from home

Few off-road car parking options

Lack of knowledge/confidence of navigating upland areas limiting exploring further

I don't feel safe/comfortable walking my dog near livestock

Not interested in visiting the uplands more often

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* 13. How do you rate the current general signage/way-marking on the Island's uplands you have visited in the last 12 months?

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* 14. Do you think the Isle of Man is in need of an Upland/ Heathland Access Code to inform occasional visitors of what they can/can't do?

Yes

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* 15. In general, how would you rate the condition of the upland paths you've used in the last 12 months (ie. surface, drainage, extent of any erosion)?

Mostly very bad

Mostly quite bad

Mix of good and bad

Mostly quite good

Mostly very good

Mostly very bad

Mostly quite bad

Mix of good and bad

Mostly quite good

Mostly very good

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* 16. How do you mainly navigate/track your recreational activity whilst in the uplands?
Please select up to three answers:

Electronic: Phone App/ Watch/ GPS

Local Knowledge/ Experience

Printed Isle of Man Government 1:25,000 Outdoor Leisure Map

Printed OS Map 1:50,000 Landranger map

Printed Harvey Superwalker 1:30,000

Way-marking/ Upland Signage

Trail Forks

Warden's Walks Leaflets

Visit Isle of Man walking / cycling guides

By joining a guided walk/ ride/ trek

Other (please specify)

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* 17. Which of the following statements do you consider true?

	True	False
I would avoid a particular upland route if I knew there was no obvious path	I would avoid a particular upland route if I knew there was no obvious path True	I would avoid a particular upland route if I knew there was no obvious path False
The presence of a path is not important when I plan an upland route	The presence of a path is not important when I plan an upland route True	The presence of a path is not important when I plan an upland route False
I try to plan an upland route so that I am using a path that is in good condition	I try to plan an upland route so that I am using a path that is in good condition True	I try to plan an upland route so that I am using a path that is in good condition False
A poorly maintained path would deter me from using that upland route again	A poorly maintained path would deter me from using that upland route again True	A poorly maintained path would deter me from using that upland route again False

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* 18. Do you think upland recreation and access can be improved, and in what way?
Opportunity to provide further comments/ feedback below on Q20.

No, I am happy with the current levels and standards of provision

More recreational activities should be encouraged

More upland access for user groups should be allowed

Improved maintenance of upland footpaths, byways and trails

Improved signage, way-marking on the uplands

Other (a brief statement please)

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* 19. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about the Island's approach to upland management?

	Disagree	No strong feelings	Agree
Upland management should remain in place, in order to protect the ecosystem services it provides	Upland management should remain in place, in order to protect the ecosystem services it provides Disagree	Upland management should remain in place, in order to protect the ecosystem services it provides No strong feelings	Upland management should remain in place, in order to protect the ecosystem services it provides Agree
Our uplands seem to be adequately resourced	Our uplands seem to be adequately resourced Disagree	Our uplands seem to be adequately resourced No strong feelings	Our uplands seem to be adequately resourced Agree
Full off-road cycling access should be permitted across the entire upland DEFA estate	Full off-road cycling access should be permitted across the entire upland DEFA estate Disagree	Full off-road cycling access should be permitted across the entire upland DEFA estate No strong feelings	Full off-road cycling access should be permitted across the entire upland DEFA estate Agree
I would be willing to participate in volunteering opportunities to help maintain and upkeep the Island's upland areas	I would be willing to participate in volunteering opportunities to help maintain and upkeep the Island's upland areas Disagree	I would be willing to participate in volunteering opportunities to help maintain and upkeep the Island's upland areas No strong feelings	I would be willing to participate in volunteering opportunities to help maintain and upkeep the Island's upland areas Agree
Sustainable tourism in the uplands should be widely encouraged all year round	Sustainable tourism in the uplands should be widely encouraged all year round Disagree	Sustainable tourism in the uplands should be widely encouraged all year round No strong feelings	Sustainable tourism in the uplands should be widely encouraged all year round Agree
There should be more educational signage installed to manage recreational use with interpretation showing what wildlife can be found	There should be more educational signage installed to manage recreational use with interpretation showing what wildlife can be found Disagree	There should be more educational signage installed to manage recreational use with interpretation showing what wildlife can be found No strong feelings	There should be more educational signage installed to manage recreational use with interpretation showing what wildlife can be found Agree
Clear signage is required to clarify boundaries of land ownership	Clear signage is required to clarify boundaries of land ownership Disagree	Clear signage is required to clarify boundaries of land ownership No strong feelings	Clear signage is required to clarify boundaries of land ownership Agree
Seasonal information (bird nesting season) signage at access points and parking areas should be implemented	Seasonal information (bird nesting season) signage at access points and parking areas should be implemented Disagree	Seasonal information (bird nesting season) signage at access points and parking areas should be implemented No strong feelings	Seasonal information (bird nesting season) signage at access points and parking areas should be implemented Agree
Dogs should be kept on a lead whilst on the uplands during livestock breeding/ bird breeding and nesting season (April 1st-July 31st)	Dogs should be kept on a lead whilst on the uplands during livestock breeding/ bird breeding and nesting season (April 1st-July 31st) Disagree	Dogs should be kept on a lead whilst on the uplands during livestock breeding/ bird breeding and nesting season (April 1st-July 31st) No strong feelings	Dogs should be kept on a lead whilst on the uplands during livestock breeding/ bird breeding and nesting season (April 1st-July 31st) Agree

Annual Outdoor Visitor Survey 2021

Access and Recreation in the Uplands

Question Title

* 1. What is your age?

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* 2. What is your gender?

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* 3. Where do you live?

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* 4. How would you describe your level of knowledge and experience of the Island's upland Environment?

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* 5. Are you a member of any of the following organisations associated with recreational or conservational activities?Please tick all that apply.

Question Title

* 6. Which of the following recreational/conservational activities have you undertaken during your visit(s) to the Island's upland areas in the last 12 months? Please tick all that apply.

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* 7. In the last 12 months, how often on average have you visited the Island's upland areas for leisure, recreation and/or conservational purposes?

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* 8. When visiting the Island's uplands, are you usually

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* 9. Which one of the following options best describes your personal reasons for visiting the Island's upland areas?

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* 10. How important do you perceive the upland areas to be?

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* 11. Please select all factors you consider important concerning the Island's upland areas.

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* 12. Which of the following are your main reasons for not visiting the Island's uplands more often or at all?

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* 13. How do you rate the current general signage/way-marking on the Island's uplands you have visited in the last 12 months?

Question Title

* 14. Do you think the Isle of Man is in need of an Upland/ Heathland Access Code to inform occasional visitors of what they can/can't do?

Question Title

* 15. In general, how would you rate the condition of the upland paths you've used in the last 12 months (ie. surface, drainage, extent of any erosion)?

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* 16. How do you mainly navigate/track your recreational activity whilst in the uplands?Please select up to three answers:

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* 17. Which of the following statements do you consider true?

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* 18. Do you think upland recreation and access can be improved, and in what way?Opportunity to provide further comments/ feedback below on Q20.

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* 19. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about the Island's approach to upland management?

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* 20. Do you have any further comments or general feedback relating to the recreational management of DEFA's upland estate?

* 5. Are you a member of any of the following organisations associated with recreational or conservational activities?

Please tick all that apply.

* 6. Which of the following recreational/conservational activities have you undertaken during your visit(s) to the Island's upland areas in the last 12 months?

Please tick all that apply.

* 16. How do you mainly navigate/track your recreational activity whilst in the uplands?
Please select up to three answers:

* 18. Do you think upland recreation and access can be improved, and in what way?
Opportunity to provide further comments/ feedback below on Q20.