Page 73 - NT 2022 Almanac

Did you know that there are rules you should follow when you are out walking in the countryside? They are designed to make the countryside safe for everyone so that we can all enjoy it.
1 Respect the local community
Farmers work hard all year round to grow the food we eat and to look after their animals. If you see a farm animal, remember it is not a pet. Do not feed or stroke it. And if you are in a car or on a bike, make sure you slow down for farm animals so you don’t frighten them.
2 Leave gates as you find them
If you walk up to a gate and it is closed, make sure you close it behind you. The farmer probably wants to keep the animals from running away. However, if you find a gate open, do not close it behind you as a farmer might be moving animals from one field to the next.
3 Stick to paths and follow signs
Some land is open to everyone to walk on, but some is private. If you are not sure, check a detailed map and follow the signs. This is for your own safety as well as to respect people’s privacy and to help look after important habitats. You wouldn’t want to walk into a field with an old mine shaft, or a pair of ground-nesting lapwings.
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