Clare Jones

Associate, Northern Ireland, UK

Clare JonesExperience

Clare has worked in the field of tourism and specifically sustainable outdoor recreation for over 25 years.  Her strategic experience covers planning, development and delivery of sustainable outdoor recreation at a national, regional, local and site-based level.

Notable examples include:

At a national level

  • Off-Road Cycling, Mountain Biking, Horse Riding & Canoe Trail Strategies for N. Ireland
  • Development of ‘Principles and Standards for Trail Development within N. Ireland, 2012’
  • Development of the N. Ireland Walk/ Accreditation Scheme
  • Access Audit of the Erne/ Shannon Waterway
  • Feasibility Study and trail corridor evaluation for the Wild Atlantic Way as a long-distance walk trail Way (Kerry and Dingle peninsulas)

At a regional level

  • Audit of Strangford Lough (Marine Nature Reserve) for sustainable water-based recreation
  • Castlewellan & Rostrevor National Mountain Bike Trail Centres (75kms of trail)
  • Castle Ward Demesne multi use trail network (National Trust property)
  • Canoe trails throughout N. Ireland – river and coastal
  • Community Trail Plans for District Electoral Areas (DEA’s)
  • Mountain bike, walk & horse-riding trails on privately owned Estates e.g., Blessingbourne Estate, Co. Tyrone and Greyabbey Estate, Co. Down

At a local/ site-based level

  • Preparation of Feasibility Studies, Site Assessments and Masterplans e.g., Castlewellan Forest Park, Finnebrogue Woods.
  • Macro and micro trail design
  • Trail Management Plans
  • Community trails connecting local people to the outdoors e.g., Tobar Mhuire Monastery, Crossgar and Bunkers Hill, Castlewellan

Many of the projects are within protected landscapes or on designated sites including Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), Special Protected Areas (SPA), Marine Nature Reserve (MNR), Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI), Natural Heritage Areas (NHA), National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) often requiring Environmental Impact Assessments.

Clare’s experience also includes extensive consultation with a range of stakeholders, which has been essential to ensure successful project outcomes.

Clare’s experience has given her a detailed understanding of Access & Occupiers Liability legislation within the UK and Ireland enabling her to work effectively to negotiate and secure management and maintenance arrangements with both public and private sector partners and landowners.

Clare also has substantial experience in securing project funding from a range of sources and subsequently managing and monitoring funding expenditure and project budgets.

Core skills and qualifications

Clare has a degree in Geography from Queen Mary & Westfield University, London and a PG Diploma & MA in Tourism Management from the University of Northumbria.

She also has a PG Diploma in Rural Development for Queen’s University, Belfast.

As a keen walker, horse rider, mountain biker and trail runner, Clare is passionate about work she undertakes.

Specialisms

Clare is a specialist in designing and developing sustainable outdoor recreation for a variety of land and water-based products in a wide range of locations for a range of users.

This specialism ranges from strategic and holistic approaches at a national or regional level to detailed site-based Feasibility Studies, Masterplans and trail design.

Clare specialises in bringing together partners and stakeholders throughout the project development and delivery phases, something she believes is crucial to ensure truly sustainable projects.