Forestry England Update March 2026
Summary
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Forestry England provides an update on New Forest management, restoration, wildlife, visitor engagement, and parking. Winter work includes heathland restoration at Fawley, Highland Water and Knightwood Inclosures; rhododendron control at Shirley Holms, Blackensford Bottom, Black Knowl and Gritnam; wetland works planned at Knightwood, Ipley and North Slufters; and woodland restoration at Gritnam Wood. Wildlife activity covers surveys of the rare Green Forest Hoverfly and monitoring of a growing pine marten population, including DNA collection. For ground-nesting birds (March to late August), woodlarks and Dartford warblers are at record levels, while curlews and nightjar remain critically low; quiet zones, limited car park closures, and public messaging aim to reduce disturbance. Work with partners addresses animal and road safety, responsible dog walking, fly-tipping enforcement, and public events. Car parks are being repaired after wet weather, and engagement continues on planned parking charges, verge protection, and traffic controls with Hampshire County Council.
Document Viewer
Forestry England update
Richard Burke
Recreation Manager, Forestry England
Craig Harrison
Forest Management Director, Forestry England
Winter work programme
Heathland restoration
- Work carried out this winter at Fawley, Highland Water and Knightwood Inclosures
Invasive Species control
- Rhododendron control at Shirley Holms, Blackensford Bottom, Black Knowl and Gritnam
Wetland restoration
- Works planned this spring at Knightwood, Ipley and North Slufters
Woodland Restoration
- Gritnam wood
Commercially Sensitive_Confidential
Wildlife
Green Forest Hoverfly
- Working with volunteers to assess numbers
- Found only in New Forest & Great Windsor Park
- Rely on dead and decaying ancient trees stumps
- Record numbers recorded
- Survey findings are informing our management techniques – pollarding holly around ancient beech tree stumps.
Pine Martens
- Learning about the New Forest’s growing population
- Survey & monitoring in collaboration with Wild New Forest
- This year’s focus is on DNA collection and how they navigate across the Forest.
Wildlife
Ground nesting bird season
- Season runs March – late August
- Mixed picture for key species
- Record numbers of Woodlarks and Dartford Warblers
- Curlews and Nightjar at critically low levels due to disturbance, predation & changing weather patterns
- Special quiet zones established again this year
- Small number of car park closures close to these sites
- Public campaign shared across all key agencies encouraging the public to stick to the main tracks and keep dogs with them here
- Ground nesting birds | Forestry England
Engagement
Joint working
- Operation Mountie – promoting animal and road safety
- Joined New Forest Dog Owners Group engagement sessions in forest car parks
- Walking in Partnership – guided ranger sessions with New Forest Police
- Supported multi-agency fly-tipping operation – spot checking waste carrying vehicles
- NFDC successful enforcements against fly-tippers – with support from our team.
- Participating in the NPA Awakening Festival – including a series of ranger led walks
Car parks
Maintenance
- Extremely wet weather conditions have significantly impacted surfaces & our ability to make repairs
- Tarmac repairs at entrances now started
- New machinery secured – funded by our investment in the parking scheme
- Targeting most badly affected car parks as a priority
- Some closures will be needed to complete the work – https://www.forestryengland.uk/new-forest/where-we-are-working
Commercially Sensitive_Confidential
Car park charging - engagement
Sessions to engage key stakeholders
- 85 meetings in 2025 and sessions continuing
- HCC, NFDC, parish councils, consultative panel, National Trust, Access Forum, etc.
Public engagement
- Sharing details of the scheme and how it will work
- Leaflet sent direct to all NFDC households
- Working with key groups re exemptions - commoning
- FAQ and further information available on our website
Upcoming changes to parking in the New Forest | Forestry England
Verge protection
- Works at highest risk area progressing well
- Majority are reinstatements or repairs of existing ditch & bank.
- A mix of dragon's teeth or ditch & bank
- Works being carried out in collaboration with Natural England, the Verderers and Commoners Defence Association
Collaborative working - HCC
Highways Team
- Collaboratively looking at areas at high risk of traffic collisions and verge parking.
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Identifying key locations for potential TROs
- Temporary – to respond quickly to new verge parking.
- Permanent - informed by monitoring data and public consultation.
Delivery
Commercially Sensitive - Confidential
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verge protection works | Signage and machine installation | Recruit/train parking team | Establish the 'green list’ | Baseline monitoring of verge parking |
Thank you