Learn about Conservation

The New Forest National Park is one of the most important areas for nature conservation in lowland England.  Land within it is owned by the Crown, a large number of private landowners, local authorities and private trusts.  The complex land ownership and the special qualities of this environment make legal protection desirable.  One important way in which this is done is through the designation of protected areas.

Much of the New Forest is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) with over 28,000 ha of land given this high level of environmental protection.  SSSIs are areas that have been designated to protect both the diversity and the rarity of the sites’ habitats and species.  The coastline includes low cliffs, shingle spits, salt marsh and mudflats of national and international importance for nature conservation.  Much of the New Forest has also been recently scheduled as a Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive.  

The designation of the wider area as a National Park means a more permanent level of protection for this special and unique landscape.

Factsheets

Factsheet 1 - Conservation designations (2 MB)

Factsheet 2 - Climate change (562 KB)

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