Wild and Free: How to Keep the New Forest Special!

How Can You Help Protect New Forest Wildlife?

As you may already know, the New Forest is a special place, home to a rich variety of wildlife, from ancient oak woodlands to beautiful heathlands teeming with rare species. However, this delicate ecosystem faces increasing pressure from human activity.

Whether you’re a visitor or a local, there are many simple yet impactful ways to help protect the wildlife and ensure it thrives for generations to come.

Stick to Designated Paths!

The designated paths in the New Forest are there for good reason. Wandering off-trail might seem harmless or like a small adventure, but it can actually damage sensitive habitats. You may disturb ground-nesting birds and trample rare plants, both of which are vital to the forest’s ecosystem.

By sticking to the paths, you help minimise your impact and protect this special environment for wildlife and future visitors.

Respect the Ponies and Other Free-Roaming Animals.

When exploring the New Forest, you're sure to come across the iconic New Forest ponies as well as deer, cattle, and even pigs! These animals play a vital role in shaping the landscape and maintaining the ecosystem.

While they may be an exciting sight, it’s important to avoid touching or feeding them. Human contact can encourage dangerous behaviour, and feeding them—even with good intentions—can be harmful, as human food is not suitable for their diet.

The best way to appreciate these wonderful animals is to admire them from a distance and never approach them.

Take Only Memories, Leave No Trace.

Everyone wants to enjoy the wonderful sights of the forest, so please take your rubbish home with you. Litter, including biodegradable items like apple cores and banana peels, can harm wildlife and disrupt natural processes.

By leaving no trace, you help keep the New Forest beautiful and safe for both wildlife and future visitors.

Keep Dogs Under Control!

The New Forest offers many fantastic places to walk your dog, but it's important to remember that dogs can unintentionally disturb wildlife—especially ground-nesting birds, deer, and other free-roaming animals. The forest is their home too.

To help protect this delicate environment, keep dogs on leads in sensitive areas and always clean up after them. This not only prevents disturbances but also helps reduce environmental contamination.

Be a responsible cyclist or horse rider.

Cycling and horse riding are both popular activities in the New Forest, but it's important to stick to designated routes. This helps prevent erosion and minimises disturbance to wildlife.

Be sure to slow down around other visitors and stay mindful of bird-nesting areas and grazing animals.

Learn and share knowledge.

Understanding the unique ecology of the New Forest helps everyone appreciate and respect

it. Consider joining guided walks (like ours!) to learn more and share your knowledge with others to encourage responsible behaviour.

Protecting the New Forest Starts with You.

By making small, mindful choices, we can all help preserve this special place for wildlife and future generations. Every action, no matter how small, can make a difference.

Simply being aware of your impact and encouraging others to do the same allows you to play a vital role in protecting this incredible landscape and its wildlife.