By Jonathan Low
With the autumn pony drifts under way, New Forest ponies are now more visible to drivers in the National Park thanks to reflective collars. The collars are fitted at the end of a drift – when ponies are rounded up for their annual health checks and marking – to help drivers spot them more easily, … Continued
By Jonathan Low
Members of the public can find out how New Forest wetlands and heathlands are being restored for wildlife, commoning and people on two special guided walks this October. As part of the Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) scheme, Forestry England carries out extensive habitat restoration work across the New Forest Crown Lands, helping to protect and … Continued
By Jonathan Low
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 … Continued
By Jonathan Low
A project to tackle invasive non-native plants across the New Forest has been shortlisted for a prestigious National Park Protector Award. The New Forest Non-Native Plants Project, led by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, has been working since 2009 with volunteers, landowners and land managers to control invasive species that threaten native habitats … Continued
By Jonathan Low
More than 100 nationally rare and scarce invertebrate species have been recorded in the New Forest, showing habitat restoration carried out through the Verderers of the New Forest Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) Scheme is delivering significant benefits for wildlife. The findings come from surveys coordinated by Wild New Forest across four sites, including two where … Continued
By Jonathan Low
The Verderers of the New Forest have announced that the start of the 2026 Drift season has been postponed due to the ongoing outbreak of equine flu. As a precautionary measure, the Verderers have confirmed no Drifts will take place during August to help reduce the risk of further spreading the virus while efforts continue … Continued
By Jonathan Low
Welcome to the new Verderers of the New Forest Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) scheme website. Here you can learn all about the scheme, the key people involved and how the scheme benefits the New Forest. The new website is user-friendly, accessible and interactive, so everyone can easily navigate around and find information while hopefully learning … Continued