Animal accidents on New Forest roads can have devastating consequences for livestock and drivers alike - please stay alert and slow down

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Four fallow deer standing in frosty grass at sunrise, looking toward the camera

Author: HMakin

It's 13:59 Clear sky, 7°C

New Forest partners working together on deer management to support healthy populations and habitats

By HMakin

New Forest organisations are developing a strategy to improve habitats through landscape-scale deer management in and around the National Park. Deer numbers across the UK have grown dramatically over the past century. Increasing populations are having a serious impact on some of the New Forest’s internationally-protected habitats. High numbers also mean greater competition for food, … Continued

National Parks in England welcome Prime Minister’s key commitments on tackling wildfire after record-breaking summer

By HMakin

National Parks England press release: Two major National Park wildfires in England this summer affected an area of threatened habitats three times the size of Hyde Park National Parks England welcomes new commitments to firefighting capability, resilience measures, local restrictions as well as funding for peatland restoration Threat of wildfire is no longer a ‘seasonal’ … Continued

VodafoneThree and Cairngorms National Park announce new wildfire resilience project at Prime Minister’s Wildfire Summit 

By HMakin

Press release from National Parks UK and VodafoneThree: New wildfire response and resilience project in the Cairngorms National Park, supported by VodafoneThree, announced at the Prime Minister’s first Wildfire Summit in Liverpool today. The project will map burn severity and habitat resilience, create or manage 15-20 dual-purpose fire ponds, and maintain firebreaks to support firefighting … Continued

Homes, schools and businesses offered free artificial nests to help house martins in the New Forest

By HMakin

Hampshire Ornithological Society seeks suitable homes for threatened summer visitors ahead of the 2027 breeding season Residents, schools and local businesses in the New Forest are being invited to apply for free artificial nests as part of a major Hampshire-wide effort to help threatened house martins. Following a successful pilot last year, Hampshire Ornithological Society … Continued

National Parks unite behind new action on rising wildfire risk

By HMakin

National Parks UK joint press release: National Park Authorities across the UK have agreed a new shared position on wildfire management, committing to stronger planning, partnership working and public engagement to help tackle the growing threat of wildfires. The new position statement, agreed through the UK National Parks Wildfire Group, comes as climate change increases … Continued

New Forest organisations lead recovery effort following heathland fire

By HMakin

  Issued by New Forest District Council on behalf of the partners involved in the recovery from the A31 Picket Post heathland fire. Local organisations involved in the response to the Picket Post heathland fire are working together on the longer-term recovery of the New Forest impacted areas, businesses and communities. The fire, which started on 9 August 2026, affected … Continued

Wildfire incident

By HMakin

Summary Firefighters have worked since Sunday 9 August  to tackle a fire affecting heathland near the A31 after a van caught fire on Sunday 9 August around 5.20pm and the blaze spread to the open countryside of the National Park. The A31 remains closed. IT WILL REOPEN SAT 22 AUGUST (see below)  For the latest … Continued

NPA welcomes Government’s temporary ban on the sale of disposable BBQs

By HMakin

The New Forest National Park Authority today welcomed the Government’s temporary ban on the sale of disposable BBQs. During the current major heathland wildfire in the National Park (although in this case caused by a vehicle) the Authority has joined partners in issuing wildfire safety messages. A Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) was introduced in … Continued