A New Forest estate manager has celebrated his Farming and Nature Champion accolade at the New Forest National Park Awards 2026 by launching a brand new venture. Richard Channel was commended by the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) for his almost three decades of work shaping Newtown Park, near Lymington.
Richard transformed the estate into a model of thoughtful land stewardship where nature comes first. His recognition in the Farming and Nature category of the New Forest Awards reflected a career built not on grand gestures but on sustained, patient care for a single piece of land, together with a generosity in sharing that knowledge with others.
Richard Channel, said: ‘I’ve had an absolutely wonderful time nurturing the property. After almost 30 years at Newtown Park, the time has come to move on.’
When Newtown Park Estate was sold in March of this year (2026), Richard’s role as estate manager came to an end. Rather than stepping back from the work, he has channelled it into a new venture. ‘New Leaf Naturescapes Ltd’ is built around the idea of nature positive landscapes and estate management. The estate may have changed hands, but the philosophy behind it is now available to other landowners across the New Forest and beyond.
Richard’s connection to the estate began as a contractor, working for landscape consultants Upcher & Co, before he was taken on as a gardener in July 1998 by the then owner, businessman and philanthropist Charles Burnett III. In 2008, he was appointed estate manager, a role in which his ambitions for the land could finally take full shape.
The scale of the transformation has been significant. Richard planted around two miles (3 km) of new hedgerow and restored many overgrown hedges through traditional laying techniques. He has created 20 acres of wildflower meadow and established a new 10-acre woodland. He has installed over 100 nest boxes for birds, including six specifically for barn owls, and he oversaw the construction of a wildlife lake that now supports a thriving ecosystem.
His work has extended to the estate’s built and cultivated heritage too. He restored a walled kitchen garden, planted numerous specimen trees across the parkland, and grew a crop of wheat organically to use for thatching straw locally. The project connects the estate’s farming output directly back to the surrounding community. He even built a rustic summerhouse using timber and materials grown on the estate itself.
His commitment to conservation beyond the estate boundary is further reflected in ten years served as a trustee of the Countryside Education Trust in Beaulieu. The New Forest Award winner has supporting its work in connecting young people with the natural world, inspiring the estate managers of tomorrow.
Now in their 13th year, the annual New Forest Awards – run by the NPA and Country Land and Business Association (CLA) – celebrate the people whose dedication helps keep the New Forest thriving, from conservationists and businesses to Commoners, volunteers and young people making a difference.
The winners and highly recommended were recognised at a special ceremony at the New Forest and Hampshire County Show at New Park, Brockenhurst, on Wednesday, 29 July, with individual trophies presented by Stephen Morgan, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for DEFRA.
There were six categories, highlighting those involved in a variety of areas including farming, sustainability and commoning.