Executive report highlights benefit of outdoor activity and strong demand for improved access to nature in Northern Ireland
Minister for Communities, Gordon Lyons MLA, Dawson Stelfox MBE, Chairperson of Outscape, and Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir MLA.
A new report reveals the latest statistics on how people in Northern Ireland prioritise spending time outdoors, the benefits of outdoor activity, the access barriers for some, and the connection to nature and climate issues that comes from regular activity in greenspaces.
POMNI is published jointly by Outscape, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and the Department for Communities (DfC). The Monitor is tracking local population trends against some key government policy goals on health and wellbeing, climate and nature, contained in the Programme for Government Wellbeing Framework and the Environmental Improvement Plan. The study was last conducted in 2020/21.
The findings are based on a survey of 4,000 adults across Northern Ireland, conducted throughout 2025. It explored frequency of visits, motivations, self-reported wellbeing outcomes, and barriers to participation.
With an average of 92 visits per person per year (equating to approximately 134 million outdoor visits across the population), the outdoors plays a central role in everyday life in Northern Ireland. Participation levels remain broadly consistent with 2020/21, indicating sustained motivation following the pandemic. In fact, four in five adults (80%) say they would like to spend more time outdoors, particularly those living in urban areas and families.
The report also highlights the importance of spending time outdoors for health and wellbeing. The Monitor reveals that 87% of visits leave people feeling better physically or mentally, with respondents reporting benefits including stress reduction and greater life satisfaction as a result.
However, the findings also point to an important challenge around local access to quality natural spaces. Only 17% of adults say they have access to greenspace such as parks, woodlands or local open spaces within a five-minute walk of their home. This perceived lack of nearby, usable greenspace limits the opportunities for some communities to access and enjoy nature – and the many benefits it brings.
The report indicates a strong connection between spending time outdoors and awareness of environmental issues: 86% of people who spend time outdoors every week say they are concerned about climate change and the loss of biodiversity affecting local greenspaces.
Looking at the importance of outdoor space among other competing government funding priorities, 9 in 10 adults stated that Northern Ireland’s natural spaces should be well-funded and included in government and Council plans to improve communities.
While the research shows a strong appetite for spending time outdoors, it also highlights important barriers which prevent participation for some, particularly those living in deprived areas, disabled people and those experiencing loneliness. In addition to lack of local access, some respondents said they face barriers such as poor health, lack of transport, concerns about going alone, limited facilities or information, or feeling that outdoor spaces are “not for people like me”.
Dawson Stelfox MBE, Chairperson of Outscape, said:
“The POMNI findings show clearly that people across Northern Ireland value the outdoors and want to spend more time in nature. 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.”
Andrew Muir MLA, Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, said:
“This report clearly shows how important nature and the outdoors are to people across Northern Ireland. 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.”
Gordon Lyons MLA, Minister for Communities, said:
“The POMNI findings are a powerful reminder that the outdoors can play a major role in helping people live healthier, more active lives. 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.”
The POMNI 2025 Headline Report is available at: www.out-scape.com/pomni/