New Forest Association

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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.

Image of Timber Extraction at Wotton Bridge 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. Image of Grazing New Forest Pony

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 £15.00 by bankers order (£17.00 by cheque).
Life members £300.00

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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