Farming and Nature Champion – Richard Channell
For nearly three decades, Richard Channell quietly reshaped the landscape of Newtown Park Estate near Lymington, transforming it into a model of thoughtful land stewardship where nature comes first. His recognition in the Farming and Nature category of the New Forest Awards reflects 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’s connection to the estate began as a contractor, before he was taken on as a gardener in July 1998. Over the following decade, he deepened his understanding of the property, its soils, hedgerows and wildlife. In 2008 he was appointed estate manager, a role in which his ambitions for the land could finally take full shape.
From that point on, his focus was clear: improve the wellbeing of wildlife, strengthen the health of the soil and farmland, and enhance the aesthetic character of the estate, all without treating these goals as separate. Under his stewardship, the estate has been transformed into something considerably richer than the one he inherited.
The scale of that transformation is significant. Richard has 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.
That community spirit runs through much of Richard’s work. He has built a close relationship with neighbouring South Baddesley Primary School, helping design and construct a rustic outdoor classroom from local materials. He has planted trees and wildflower plugs alongside pupils, and demonstrated the traditional craft of hedge laying to a new generation, ensuring these skills are passed on rather than lost.
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, supporting its work in connecting young people with the natural world.
What sets Richard apart is the coherence of his approach. Hedgerows, meadows, woodland, wildlife habitat and working farmland were all treated as parts of one living system, improved steadily over 30 years. He has delivered a legacy of putting nature first, and inspiring the estate managers of tomorrow through the education of young people.
This year has brought a new challenge for Richard, who 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; who knows what the next chapter will bring. I’m beginning to feel excitement as I start to explore options.’
That excitement has already found a direction. When Newtown Park Estate was sold in March of this year (2026), Richard’s role as estate manager came to an end after almost 30 years of service. Rather than stepping back from the work, he has channelled it into a new venture. ‘New Leaf Naturescapes’ is built around the idea of nature positive landscapes and estate management.
It’s a fitting new opportunity for someone whose award recognises exactly that kind of long-term, patient stewardship. The estate may have changed hands, but the philosophy behind it is now available to other landowners across the New Forest and beyond.