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Formed in 1867 the New Forest Association is one of the oldest and wholly independent organisations, dedicated to protecting and sustaining the traditional character of the New Forest in South West Hampshire, England. At a time of great change when the very existence of the Forest was in doubt it played a leading role in the successful fight to secure a future for the Forest.
The New Forest is a unique survival of medieval Europe and is internationally important to nature conservation and biological science.
The story of The New Forest as portrayed through the New Forest Embroidery.
Panel 2 of 4 by Belinda Montagu.
www.newforestassociation.com/TAPESTRY%20PAGE.htm
Overview of the New Forest Association
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 135 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 part of all major legislation since.
The NFA 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.
The NFA is a full member of the Council for National Parks, and as such is accepted as the independent National Park Society for the New Forest.
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 has four specialist standing sub-committees. These deal with specific subject areas, preparing research, advice, policy papers and strategies for the NFA council.
Land Management - monitors and advises on conservation and environmental issues relating to the woodlands and open areas of the New Forest.
Planning - monitors and comments on all regional and local planning matters, including transport.
Recreation - monitors and reviews all recreational issues and their effects on the New Forest.
Membership & Development - responsible for the membership, publicity, events, the newsletter and general issues.
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 ongoing work of our sub-committees and our Council the NFA is able to monitor and influence the policies and activities of the organisations managing the New Forest.
Recent research papers 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.
Rhinefield
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, 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
www.newforestassociation.com
Their Web Site gives an overview to the way the Association works - a comprehensive history and background to the New Forest, its agenda, and its view on current issues relevant to the survival of the area.
Images copyright: New Forest Association
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