IT’S a fact of life that not everyone cares about the environment today – some would even argue that global warming is a gigantic myth.

However, it’s reasonable to say that many more people are now actively involved in not only caring for the environment but appreciating it.

Needless to say, youngsters lead the way here as they look ahead and see their own future surroundings and determine to improve them.

I suppose what it takes is for us all to be invested in guarding what we already have by looking after it more and certainly by appreciating it.

This was floating through my mind on Sunday morning when my daughter and I went for a walk around Rivington.

I’m a Mancunian originally who has lived in Bolton for nearly 50 years, much of that time around the Horwich area.

However, I’m ashamed to say that I’ve not really made the most of the beautiful moorland on my doorstep.

We had a good walk around the area, meeting many other people on the way, out for a Sunday morning trek.

These included plenty of dog-walkers but also families with young children.

Most of these adults had backpacks, ready for a longer trip out in this lovely countryside and prepared to enjoy what it has to offer.

The interesting element here was the friendliness of people – plenty of “hi’s” and “ good mornings”.

The car-park at the Lower Barn was packed with cars, bikes and motorbikes as a cross-section of people from Bolton and beyond stopped for a brew and/or a bacon and egg butty.

The number of families was great to see and there is a definite feeling of community about everyone enjoying the fresh air and countryside.

I know this may all sound very naïve to those who have been going to Rivington regularly for years, who enjoy a brisk walk up The Pike or who take youngsters on bikes there from a very young age,.

Apologies if this sounds in any way patronising because it isn’t meant to be.

What it did bring home, though, was the very basic part of caring for the environment that is there for us all.

There are many admirable individuals around who litter pick regularly (even Rivington is not immune from visitors casually chucking rubbish about) or campaign to reduce plastic, clean up beaches or look after local community amenities.

The people who regularly go to Rivington to enjoy what it has to offer are at the forefront of keeping our countryside alive for more generations to enjoy.

Children are taught about what Nature means and the way to preserve it and there is always much to see and learn from it to enhance all our lives.

The most encouraging part of it all is the genuine pleasure that a place like Rivington can give to everyone.

We all take something out of just being there and, probably for the first time, I realised on Sunday that this is a unique local gem.

*What do you think? Send your views to letters@theboltonnews.co.uk