New Forest National Park Authority responds after ‘worrying’ Campaign for National Parks report

The number of water bodies in good condition on the Forest is declining, according to a new report which is calling for more funding.

The Campaign for National Parks said a recent nature recovery “health check” conducted nationwide made some “worrying discoveries” about the state of nature in protected landscapes.

Report authors found the percentage of water bodies in “good” or “above ecological” condition on the Forest has dropped, from 20.8% in 2016 to 16% in 2019.

It also recorded that sewage was released across the Forest for a total duration of 3,497 hours, in 12 recorded incidents in 2022. The report found the national park has the highest woodland coverage of all sites across the country, at 38.6%; but has the potential for up to 46% coverage.

A campaign spokesperson said: “This poor state of nature is due to a lack of resources, a lack of data and a lack of significant powers to make the systemic change needed.

“That’s why we’re calling for urgent action to halt and reverse these declines so national parks can properly contribute to the UK’s efforts in tackling the nature and climate crisis.”

Responding to the report, the New Forest National Park Authority says it is already exceeding targets to throw a “lifeline” to nature.

The NPA’s head of environment and rural economy, Paul Walton, said: “The New Forest is globally important and an ark for nature. We have already done the work to go further than what the campaign report suggests.

“Last summer we launched our ReNew Nature programme… and have identified at least 10,000 hectares – the size of 14,000 football pitches – that provides opportunity of nature recovery. This would need an estimated £24m to create and maintain for 10 years.

“Projects are already underway, including our £1.3m Species Survival Fund scheme, which will see 250 hectares of land improved for nature across 25 sites – the equivalent of 350 football pitches.”

He added: “By the end of March 2025 we will have allocated £600,000 to farmers and landowners to manage their land better for nature through the Farming In Protected Landscapes programme.

“Now we urgently need landowners, communities, individuals and, crucially, funders to help us unlock the remaining projects to deliver significant and sustained nature recovery across the New Forest and surrounding area.”