Caro-lynne given OBE for outdoor recreation

Caro-lynne given OBE for outdoor recreation

21 June 2017

A BRYANSFORD woman has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Dr Caro-lynne Ferris, Executive Director of Outdoor Recreation Northern Ireland, has been recognised in the honours list for her services to outdoor recreation.

Outdoor Recreation NI, previously known as Countryside Access and Activities Network, is a not for profit organisation with the vision of ‘placing outdoor recreation at the heart of society’. 

Dr Ferris was the organisation’s first employee in 1999 working from a small portacabin and has successfully grown both the organisation (now with 17 staff) and its outputs through effective leadership and proactive relationship building with a wide range of stakeholders.

Outdoor Recreation NI chairman, Dawson Stelfox, expressed his delight at the announcement. “The directors and staff of Outdoor Recreation Northern Ireland are thrilled with the recognition of Dr Caro-lynne Ferris in the honours list for her commitment and skill in leading ORNI  in its vision,” he said.

“Caro-lynne’s strategic approach has truly transformed Northern Ireland’s adventure tourism industry and provided a wealth of opportunities for high quality participation in outdoor activities,” continued Mr Stelfox. 

“With over 20 years of experience, Dr Ferris is widely recognised as one of the key drivers within the outdoor recreation sector in the United Kingdom and Ireland. She is a champion of sustainable development and management, ensuring that people can enjoy the outdoors today whilst considering the need to protect the outdoor environment for future generations,” he added.

In the pat 18 years, Outdoor Recreation NI has successfully developed a range of innovative products including a series of mountain bike trail centres totalling over 100km, over 300km of canoe trails including the first official canoe trail in Europe on Lough Erne, over 450km long distance walking trails and many doorstep opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Dr Ferris said she was humbled to receive such prestigious recognition. “However, I feel it is a great acknowledgement of the drive and ability of the directors and staff of Outdoor Recreation NI to deliver innovate experiences and initiatives,” she said.

“It is a joy to work in a vocation that I truly love. It is this passion that drives you through the many challenges which are regularly placed in your way. We have come a long way in outdoor recreation provision in Northern Ireland but the team has continued ambition to strive further forward,” she added.