The New Forest’s rivers and streams are an important part of its landscape, supporting a wide variety of wildlife and playing a vital role in the health of its wetlands.
To mark World Rivers Day on Sunday, September 27, we have been highlighting some of the work being carried out through the Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) scheme to protect and restore these valuable waterways.
Through HLS, Forestry England – one of the three partners in the scheme – carries out restoration work to return modified watercourses to a more natural state.
This can include restoring river channels, improving connections between rivers and surrounding wetlands and floodplains and creating better conditions for wildlife.
One example is the restoration of Avon Water at Wootton, where sections of the river have been transformed from a straight, uniform channel into a more natural, dynamic and winding watercourse.
By restoring rivers and their surrounding habitats, this work is helping to improve the health and resilience of the New Forest’s waterways, while supporting wildlife, improving water quality and strengthening the wetland habitats that make the Forest so special.
Find out more about river and wetland restoration through the HLS scheme on our wetlands page