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News and updates



The New Forest Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) scheme is England’s largest environmental scheme and restores and enhances the internationally-important habitats of the New Forest.

The scheme has run since 2010 and its work has included:

  • Restoring miles of internationally-important habitats for wildlife
  • Supporting the historic practice of commoning, which maintains the rare New Forest landscape
  • Working to identify and protect historic sites across an area the size of 17,000 football pitches
  • Inspiring more than 18,000 children to cherish the area’s unique environment

Main photo: Barry Whitcher


  • Latest News

    Penny Moor wetland restoration – update

    In 2013, Forestry England (FE) began work to restore this key wetland that provides vital habitats for important species of plants and wildlife including ground-nesting birds, amphibians and many insects. During the summer of 2024,…

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  • Latest News

    Help protect New Forest verges

    Drivers are being reminded about the importance of not parking on verges in the New Forest. The verges can look like muddy or grassy areas but are incredibly important habitats which support many different animals…

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  • Latest News

    Wetland restoration updates June 2024

    We will be carrying out some restoration work this summer, revisiting some areas for repairs as well as undertaking restoration at a few new sites. Work will take up to four weeks at each site…

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  • Latest News

    Keeping the New Forest Wetlands special

    By Ian Barker – Ecologist at the New Forest National Park Authority 2021 sees the 50th anniversary of World Wetlands Day and its theme this year ‘Wetlands and Water’ is particularly relevant to the New Forest….

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  • Latest News

    Environmental scheme extended to protect New Forest

    England’s largest agri-environment scheme has been extended for another year, meaning important conservation projects and the unique commoning system which shapes the New Forest can continue into the future. The Verderers of the New Forest…

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  • Latest News

    And the winner is….

    Congratulations to Heather Stratton, the winner of our micro competition! Heather’s photograph of a rose chafer, entitled ‘Jewelled Beetle’ caught the judges’ eyes for a number of reasons. Striking, vibrant and colourful, it has a…

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