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About Us
The NFA has been the independent voice of the New Forest
since 1867, making it the second oldest conservation organisation in the world. For
over 140 years our guiding purpose has been to protect, conserve and enhance the flora, fauna and heritage of the New Forest,
and all that makes it unique.
The NFA has helped shape the way the Forest is run today, starting
with the sponsorship of the 1877 New Forest Act, and being involved in all subsequent New Forest related legislation and policy
making. It is the only membership based association in the New Forest that
gives its members an effective voice on a wide range of New Forest issues. It is
a full member of the Campaign for National Parks, and is accepted as the independent National Park Society for the New Forest.
It is a registered charity (No. 260328).
The NFA recognises the many factors that have shaped the New Forest
we know today, and in particular the importance of the Commoners’ stock, the true architects of its landscape.
We believe that:
- The problems facing the New Forest today are as challenging and complex as they have ever been.
The ever increasing pressures of development, urbanisation and
the demands of recreation continue to degrade the wilderness quality of the New Forest landscape, its unique ecological value
and cultural heritage.
It is therefore vital that there is a well supported and independent
watchdog to monitor and influence those statutory bodies whose actions and decisions affect the welfare of the New Forest.
What we do
The NFA Council's three specialist standing committees deal with specific campaigning areas. They
prepare strategies, policy guidance, organisation and research for the Council.
Land Management
Monitors and advises on conservation and environmental issues relating
to the woodlands and open areas of the New Forest.
Planning
Monitors, comments and campaigns on all regional and local planning
matters, including transport.
Membership & Development
Responsible for membership, publicity, events and the newsletter.
How we do it
The NFA is represented on many New Forest committees, including the New Forest
Consultative Panel, the Forest Design Plan Forum, and the Open Forest Advisory Committee.
Through the work of our committees and our Council the NFA is able
to monitor and influence the policies and activities of the organisations managing the New Forest. It is a listed consultee
of the National Park Authority.
Research papers published include our ‘Loss of Grazing
Survey’ and ‘Commoners Housing Review’. Both highlight the increasing problems faced by the next generation
of commoners trying to find affordable housing and land from which to continue their vital contribution to the future of the
New Forest.
Our Agenda
To help our work the NFA has produced a number of policy documents. The most important
of these is our Agenda, which lays out our views on:
- our vision of the future
- the management of the Crown lands and adjacent commons
- the future of commoning
- habitat conservation
- recreation
- education
- development and planning matters
- roads
- other infrastructure and public utilities
- the administration of the Forest
- the Forestry Commission
- the National Park Authority
Recreation
The NFA’s recreation policy recognises:
- the benefits of responsible recreation in the New Forest, and its contribution to the rural economy
that maintains the cultural traditions and fabric of the Forest
- the need for a cohesive strategy covering the whole of the New Forest to manage recreation and avoid
damage to its conservation value
- the need to relocate some recreational activities which causes physical erosion, disturbance to wildlife
and the loss of wilderness quality to more suitable and less sensitive areas both in the New Forest’s enclosed countryside
and the surrounding countryside
Woodland Management
The NFA’s Silvicultural principles outline our policy on woodland management in Inclosures,
particularly:
- the need for the retention of significant or important trees and groups of trees when felling in broadleaf
areas
- the need for the diversity of stream side and ride edges habitats to be recognized and enhanced
- the importance of strict damage limitation during timber extraction operations
- the need to maintain rides in an appropriate way
- the need for special consideration to be given to felling operations in especially sensitive areas
of conservation value
We Need YOUR Support
We need YOUR support to further our aims of preserving the beauty, conservation
value and cultural heritage of this unique area for present and future generations to enjoy.
If you care about the New Forest, agree with our aims and wish
to make a positive contribution to its future, join the New Forest Association today.
Membership
Annual members £12.00 (£10.00 by bankers order).
Life members £200.00
National Parks
Most National Parks were established in the 1950s. They contain some of Britain's
most beautiful countryside and important heritage areas. They are protected by special legal status.
They are diverse in character, ranging from the Norfolk Broads to
Snowdonia and the Pembrokeshire Coast to the Peak District. The New Forest is the ‘newest’ National Park.
The Campaign for National Parks is a wholly independent national
charity working to protect and promote National Parks, and the right of everyone to enjoy their beauty, tranquility and natural
heritage.
The CNP is the umbrella organisation for the conservation and amenity
groups that work in, and for each of the National Parks. In the New Forest this is the New Forest Association.
The CNP has great influence. It lobbies government, runs campaigns
and is a forum for the member organisations to discuss and exchange information and expertise on issues to do with the National
Parks.
To find out more visit: www.cnp.org.uk
National Enquiries: 020 7924 4077
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