Reasons to join ORN

Whether you’ve attended an ORN event and felt inspired to join, or simply discovered us online and believe that joining would be a great fit for your organisation, now is the perfect time to consider becoming a member.

We understand that the decision may need to be made by others within your organisation, so here are a few key reasons to help you make a compelling case for why joining the network is a valuable opportunity.

Strategic value for organisations

ORN membership supports organisational impact, visibility and influence across the outdoor recreation sector.

High-Value Networking and Collaboration

- Connect with senior stakeholders, researchers, and practitioners across government, academia, and the wider sector.

- Collaborate on joint initiatives, share resources, and avoid duplication through effective knowledge exchange and partnership working.

- Amplify impact by working collectively to address shared challenges and opportunities.

Brand Visibility and Reputation

- Position your organisation as a thought leader through participation in ORN events, publications, and digital platforms.

- Raise your profile via features in ORN’s e-zine, website, and social channels, and gain recognition for your teams through PR features, award nominations, and sector-wide visibility.

- Demonstrate leadership and social responsibility by aligning your work with ORN’s focus on inclusive, sustainable outdoor engagement.

Showcasing Innovation

- Share your achievements and case studies across ORN events, platforms, and podcasts.

- Host an in-person Masterclass or online Learn & Grow session to highlight innovation and best practice within your organisation.

- Show value to funders and partners by demonstrating your active contribution to collaboration and sector leadership.

Enhanced Sector Influence and Policy Engagement

- Gain direct access to decision-makers shaping outdoor recreation across the UK and Ireland.

- Play an active role in shaping the policy agenda, ensuring outdoor recreation’s strategic interests are represented in future legislation, investment programmes, and funding priorities.

- Translate policy into practice through ORN’s evidence sharing, peer learning, and applied research – turning strategic goals into real-world outcomes.

- Join ORN’s Executive Committee or specialist sub-groups to contribute directly to policy implementation and sector-wide initiatives.

Talent Development and Cost Savings

- Provide your teams with complimentary or discounted access to ORN events to support professional development, strengthen staff retention, and reduce training costs.

- Access exclusive research, sector reports, and post-event resources from members such as Natural England, Sport England, Natural Resources Wales, Ordnance Survey, Leeds Beckett University, and NatureScot etc.

Personal value for professionals

ORN membership supports learning, connection and career development for individuals working across outdoor recreation and related fields.

Learning and Inspiration

- Join free webinars and research sessions led by leading academics, policymakers, and practitioners.

- Gain priority access to free or discounted tickets for in-person Masterclass events.

- Be inspired by best practice and innovation that broaden your perspective and enrich your professional toolkit.

Professional Networking and Influence

- Build strong connections with peers across public, private, and not-for-profit sectors.

- Access mentoring, collaboration, and leadership opportunities within the network.

- Contribute your voice to consultations and discussions shaping the future of outdoor recreation.

Making a Difference

- Play an active role in a network that champions healthier, more inclusive, and sustainable outdoor spaces.

- Strengthen your professional reputation by demonstrating environmental and social responsibility.

Career Development and Skills

- Stay ahead with early access to cutting-edge sector research and insights to sharpen strategic thinking.

- Build your expertise in outdoor recreation, leadership, sustainability, and stakeholder engagement.

Our Members

Our current members are organisations with an active engagement in outdoor recreation and with a passion to share and collaborate with others.

Membership

Discuss Membership With Us

The ORN Co Chairs are happy to meet with any interested organisations who have more questions about joining as a member.

Set up an appointment