England’s largest environmental improvement scheme has reached its halfway point, after five years of impressive achievements in the New Forest.
The New Forest Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) scheme funds projects to support commoners and conserve the fragile habitats of the New Forest Crown Lands.
The 10 year agreement with Natural England is worth £19m and is held by the Verderers and managed by them in partnership with the Forestry Commission and the New Forest National Park Authority.
The scheme works to increase the New Forest’s resilience in the face of habitat loss and modern day pressures, such as increased visitor numbers. It is a rare opportunity to conserve fragile habitats and support commoners on such a large scale, and has achieved an exceptional amount since 2010:
- Commoning – crucial grants and expert advice have been provided to hundreds of commoners to continue their ancient way of life turning out ponies and cattle onto the New Forest
- Wetland restoration – nine miles of artificially straightened drainage channels have been restored to natural streams, protecting the New Forest’s internationally-important wetlands by slowing water flow.
- Archaeology – 12,000 hectares, equivalent to 17,000 football pitches, has been surveyed; finding and recording thousands of historical sites to stop them being lost forever
- Education – More than 11,000 children have gained a greater understanding of the New Forest through school visits
Habitat management – invasive rhododendron and other non-native species have been removed or reduced across approximately half of the New Forest, helping native plants flourish.
These improvements are helping protect the New Forest’s precious habitats and ancient way of life, preserving this beautiful landscape for future generations.
Richard Stride, local commoner, said: ‘Overall, this scheme is a good thing for commoning. The best part is the lawn restoration as this has increased the grazing for our animals. In addition, the funding is helping commoners to have better facilities for animal management.
‘On the whole the wetland restoration is proving to be a success, and the condition of the restored streams will continue to be monitored and maintained where necessary.’
Dominic May, Official Verderer, said: ‘The New Forest HLS scheme allows us to turn the clock back, restoring the New Forest by removing previous man-made interventions such as the deep channels dug in the 19th and 20th century to drain the timber plantations. This can help improve the grazing for the free-roaming animals, which are after all the architects of our beautiful New Forest landscape. The HLS supports the commoning community and helps build resilience into long term management of this important habitat.’
More detailed highlights of the first five years of the HLS scheme include:
Commoning
The HLS scheme has funded improvements to Beaulieu Road pony sales yard, including mains water and mains electricity, wash-down facilities, toilets and removable lighting, which have helped to bring the yard up to modern health and safety and trading standards.
A small grants scheme has supported 43 commoners with a total of £42,000 for a range of items, such as fencing, water supply, barns and hurdles.
The scheme funds the New Forest Land Advice Service, which has provided expert advice to hundreds of commoners on land management and subsidy schemes.
Wetland restoration
The Victorians first straightened some Forest streams to form deep drainage channels for intensive agriculture and forestry, with harmful results for the Forest’s environment.
The projects involve re-instating former meanders in streams, infilling deep man-made drains, and reducing the erosion of boggy mires. Research by independent experts The River Restoration Centre has shown considerable success for this scheme. At Fletchers Thorns, near Brockenhurst, restoration ‘achieved significant nature conservation and ecosystem service benefits in a very short period of time.’ Read more at Wetland restoration.
So far, nine miles of drainage channels have been restored to natural streams, based on evidence of old meanders, protecting the New Forest’s internationally-important wetlands for future generations.
Historic environment
Volunteers have spent hundreds of hours surveying 12,163 hectares of Open Forest to find and record historical sites and stop them being lost forever.
A temporary exhibition explaining the HLS heritage work is attracting an average of 6,000 visitors a month at the New Forest Centre in Lyndhurst and runs until 24 January.
Bird surveys
Surveys of Dartford warbler, nightjar, woodlark and nesting waders took place during 2013 and 2014. The results showed that the populations of these rare birds, for which the New Forest is a stronghold, had previously fallen or were holding steady. This illustrated how important it is that the HLS scheme is continuing its work to improve habitats for these birds.
Education
More than 11,000 children have learnt about the New Forest through school visits run by National Park Authority and New Forest Centre educators over the last five years. They cover topics including land management, and the often-conflicting needs of the environment and people.
Local school teachers attend an annual conference to help them understand how to embed learning about the New Forest into their school’s curriculum.
Habitat management
Over the last two years, work has begun to clear overgrown areas of the New Forest, which would traditionally have been heathland or grassland. These habitats and ‘lost lawns’ are important for rare ground nesting birds, such as lapwing.
So far more than 326 hectares has been cleared, equivalent to 456 football pitches, and over six hectares of ‘lost lawns’ have been returned to their former glory.
In addition, invasive rhododendron bushes have been removed or reduced from just under half of the New Forest to ensure they don’t overrun native plant life.
To find out more about the HLS scheme visit www.hlsnewforest.org.uk.
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Notes to Photo Editor:
Beaulieu Road Sales Yard – improvements to the New Forest’s pony sales site are a key achievement from the first five years of the New Forest HLS scheme.
Notes to Editor:
1. The Environmental Stewardship Schemes are administered by Natural England, on behalf of Defra, and funds farmers and land managers throughout England to deliver effective environmental management on their land.
The objectives of Environmental Stewardship are to:
- Promote public access and understanding of the countryside
- Maintain and enhance landscape quality and character
- Protect the historic environment and natural resources
- Conserve biodiversity
2. The role of the Verderers of the New Forest is to protect and administer the New Forest’s unique agricultural commoning practices; to conserve its traditional landscape, wildlife and aesthetic character, including its flora and fauna, peacefulness, natural beauty and cultural heritage; and to safeguard a viable future for commoning. www.verderers.org.uk
3. The New Forest National Park Authority works with partners to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the National Park and to promote opportunities for understanding and enjoyment of its special qualities. It also has a duty to foster the social and economic well-being of local communities within the Park. www.newforestnpa.gov.uk
4. The Forestry Commission is the government department responsible for forestry in Great Britain. It supports woodland owners with grants; tree felling licences, regulation and advice; promotes the benefits of forests and forestry; and advises Government on forestry policy. It manages more than a million hectares (2.5 million acres) of national forest land for public benefits such as sustainable timber production, public recreation, nature conservation, and rural and community development. For more information, visit www.forestry.gov.uk/newforest
5. Natural England is the government’s advisor on the natural environment. Established in 2006 our work is focused on enhancing England’s wildlife and landscapes and maximising the benefits they bring to the public. www.naturalengland.org.uk
Media Contacts:
Matt Stroud, Engagement and Interpretation Officer, New Forest HLS Scheme
Tel: 01590 646650
Email: matt.stroud@newforesthls.org