New Members for New Forest National Park Authority

New Members for New Forest National Park Authority

The New Forest National Park Authority has announced three new appointments to its board.

Victoria Mander joins the Authority as a member today (1 September), replacing Oliver Crosthwaite-Eyre after his term ended on 31 August.

Victoria is a wildlife conservationist whose love and knowledge of the New Forest began in childhood. She has been appointed by the Secretary of State for the Environment. Candidates for Secretary of State members go through a stringent interviewing process by a panel appointed by Defra. They are appointed for their ability to represent a wider national viewpoint and for their specialist experience and knowledge in relation to specific areas of national park purposes and duties such as business, conservation, environment and tourism.

Oliver was Official Verderer of the New Forest for nine years and chaired the Verderers Court which oversees the ancient practice of commoning. He was appointed to the Authority as a Secretary of State member in 2012, was elected Deputy Chairman of the NPA in 2013 and Chairman in 2014. He is well-known and respected among organisations across the Forest and during his term has shown a detailed understanding of its complex and often conflicting issues.

Patrick Heneghan, acting Chairman of the New Forest National Park Authority said: ‘On behalf of all her fellow members, I am delighted to welcome Victoria to the National Park team. As well as her experience as a conservationist and environmental manager, I’m sure that Victoria will also be bringing new perspectives to the diverse challenges we face in the New Forest. I’m looking forward very much to working with Victoria.’

Two other members have recently been welcomed by the NPA. Sway Parish Council Chairman Stephen Tarling joined in late July. Stephen was elected to the South West quadrant following the sad death of Harry Oram.

The NPA was also pleased to welcome local authority appointee and New Forest District Councillor Alexis McEvoy, who replaced Mel Kendal in June.

The three new appointees form part of a board of 22 members with overall responsibility for making decisions. There are 12 members appointed by the county, district and borough councils with land within the National Park. Six are appointed by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Four are elected from parish councils within the National Park.

Authority members set policies and priorities, ensure efficient and effective use of resources, and make sure that money is well spent. It’s their job to represent the interests of the National Park and to balance out any conflicting pressures.

Notes to photo editors: Photos of Victoria, Stephen and Alexis are available to download in the links below.

Notes to editors:

Victoria Mander biography

Victoria is a wildlife conservationist who has worked on multiple projects in the UK and overseas and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management. After working within the charitable sector for over 10 years, in 2018, Victoria founded Vision Wild, an organisation which supports charities and land managers to design, manage and evaluate nature conservation projects.

Victoria, from Cambridgeshire, grew up in the countryside and remembers her first links with the New Forest came through her childhood New Forest pony. She’s since always held a love of the National Park for its unique landscape and has become a regular visitor.

Victoria is a trustee of the Osprey Leadership Foundation, a charity supporting young leaders along the osprey’s flyway. She also sits on the steering committee of the Women in Conservation Leadership Network where she proactively promotes women’s leadership, equality and diversity in the wildlife conservation sector.

Stephen Tarling biography

Stephen’s love of the Forest began with camping by Ober Water as a scout (before wild camping was no longer allowed) and continued far later with mountain-biking near Tiptoe.

Stephen moved from Downton (Hampshire) to Tiptoe in 2010 where he lives in a part cob and thatched cottage on a gravel lane; and he recently took early retirement from academia as a scientist and trainer. Having been chair of Planning in Sway for many years, Stephen is now Chair of Sway Parish Council. He appears as the MC at a few local fairs, and is a fundraiser and contributor to both Tiptoe Green and the Sway Welfare Aid Group.

Stephen’s background has seen him measure pollutants in local streams from the forest to the sea, and local nitrogen dioxide concentrations, and he’s also a Community SpeedWatch volunteer. He is part owner of a small thatched holiday let in Tiptoe and an enthusiastic member of the New Forest Marque who says: ‘I make an effort to taste all the best food and drink from the New Forest’.  Stephen walks his local patch of the National Park, litter picking and supporting the NFNPA as a New Forest Ambassador – and has recently been improving his recognition of wildflowers. He also tweets on many of his interests.

Alexis McEvoy biography

Alexis lives in Langley and is married with one grown up son.

She has a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree specialising in Politics and International Studies. She is a member and former Chairman of New Forest District Council and is currently Vice Chairman of the Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority.

Alexis has considerable experience on all three tiers of Local Government having first been elected to Hampshire County Council in 1997. She is fully involved in and committed to local community life. She has a passion for wanting to create a better society for everyone and helping to plan a local strategic future by understanding local needs and understanding how they can be met.

About the New Forest National Park Authority

Protect – Enjoy – Prosper

The New Forest National Park Authority’s statutory purposes are to:
-Conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the Park – Protect.
-Promote opportunities for understanding and enjoyment of its special qualities – Enjoy.

We also have a duty to:
Seek to foster the social and economic well-being of local communities within the Park – Prosper.

The New Forest National Park was designated in March 2005. Its unique landscape has been shaped over the centuries by grazing ponies, cattle and pigs which roam free. Majestic woodlands, rare heathland and a spectacular coastline provide fabulous opportunities for quiet recreation, enjoyment and discovery.

Visit www.newforestnpa.gov.uk to find out more.

Maria Court, Communications Officer
New Forest National Park Authority
Tel: 01590 646650
Email: maria.court@newforestnpa.gov.uk

Attachments

• Alexis McEvoy.jpg Alexis McEvoy.jpg
• Stephen Tarling.jpg Stephen Tarling.jpg
• Victoria Mander.jpg Victoria Mander.jpg

(Sunset photo thanks to Nick Lucas)