Southern Co-op supports Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust as it purchases wildlife corridor between Keyhaven and Lymington Valley

GENEROUS people have donated the cash needed to create a “vital” new wildlife corridor in the New Forest.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust has acquired 28 acres of Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) land in the Lymington Valley.

The trust says the acquisition, which expands its existing Lymington Reedbeds Nature Reserve, came after nearly 1,000 people rallied behind its appeal to secure a “vital wildlife haven in the heart of the New Forest”.

The habitat forms a “critical” link in the trust’s ‘Forest to Foreshore’ vision, which aims to create a continuous corridor of protected landscapes from Roydon Woods Nature Reserve to the Lymington and Keyhaven coastline.

A trust spokesperson said the land features a “rich mosaic” of habitats, including high quality fen, wetland and wet woodland, with the Lymington River running through it and providing an environment for sea trout and the critically endangered European eel.

The now protected area is also described as the final “stronghold” for water voles in the lower Lymington Valley, which also supports a diverse array of wildlife including otters and bird species such as kingfishers, reed buntings, reed warblers and Cetti’s warblers.

Some 925 trust members donated to the funding appeal to acquire and manage the land, with a further £50,000 donation coming from trust partner Southern Co-op.

John Durnell, director of Nature-Based Solutions at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, said: “The trust is incredibly grateful to Southern Co-op and all the members and supporters who so generously responded to this urgent fundraising appeal.

“This incredible result shows the power of community and shared purpose. With this land, we can create a safer future for some of the New Forest’s most threatened species, and move a step closer to realising our Forest to Foreshore vision.”

Southern Co-op chief executive Mark Smith said: “We’re fully committed to supporting nature recovery and we’re proud that our donation has helped to facilitate this vital land purchase, ensuring that nature and wildlife can thrive for generations to come. As we celebrate the UN’s International Year of the Co-op, this collaboration highlights the power of co-operation to create a sustainable future.”