Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is working with six private landowners in the west of the New Forest as part of the Species Survival Fund (SSF) project, which aims to increase both species diversity and habitat quality across the landscape.

The work is creating a network of ‘stepping stones’ of wildlife-rich habitat, helping species move from the heart of the New Forest to its outer edges. This approach supports the long-term survival of pollinating insects, which are essential for healthy ecosystems.

As part of the New Forest National Park Authority-led project, over 550 metres of new hedgerows have also been planted, with an additional 195 metres of existing hedgerows laid and nearly 250 metres of gaps in old hedgerows filled to connect fragmented habitats. These hedgerows will provide food and shelter for insects, birds, bats, and reptiles.

Tracé Cooper-Williams, Senior Nature Recovery Manager (New Forest & Lower Test Valley) for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust explains: “The UK is experiencing serious decline in flying insects - a staggering 60 per cent over the last 20 years. 

“Many of those species are pollinators and as part of our work for the SSF project, we wanted to do something to help those species in the New Forest. 

“The project provided us with a great opportunity to boost local pollinator populations by creating habitat to enable species to spread out from the core of the Forest. 

“We have planted 552 metres of new hedgerows and laid 195 metres of existing hedgerow, while nearly 250 metres of gaps in existing hedgerows have been filled in to create connectivity between habitats.”

The Trust has been carrying out the work alongside landowners and farmers to increase the abundance of flowering plants on their land. 

On one site, as many as 4,000 wildflower plug plants were planted in a wide strip that snaked across the field - measuring one metre by 800 metres - to enhance the meadow.  

As the wildflowers blossom and set seed, they will spread out into the surrounding fields, linking up habitats and enabling pollinating insects to expand across the landscape. 

Project Assistant Lucy Kernick adds: “Our purpose is to add native wildflower mix to boost the biodiversity of insects and pollinators in the area. The idea for the hedges is that they will benefit pollinators, birds and reptiles. 

“We have seeded lots of smaller fields and we are hoping to create a stepping stone effect so that pollinators can have less of a journey to travel when they’re trying to move from one suitable habitat to another. 

“Hopefully, having to make several smaller journeys rather than one big one will help boost pollinators and insect numbers in the Forest.”

The project hasn’t been without challenges. Identifying suitable sites is crucial, as wildflowers need nutrient-poor soils and the right management practices to establish and flourish. 

As Tracé explains: “Not all sites are suitable. Previous land use is really important to see if it has received lots of fertiliser because wildflowers need nutrient poor soils. 

“The soil also has to be tested; the pH identifies the soil type and what can and cannot grow there. We also need to consider if the current management practices will allow the wildflowers to establish and flourish in the future.”

The work is part of a £1.3 million SSF project led by the New Forest National Park Authority. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is one of five partner organisations involved in the project, working alongside Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC), Freshwater Habitats Trust (FHT), New Forest Commoners Defence Association (CDA), and Wild New Forest.

This partnership is working together to ensure New Forest habitats are better equipped and more resilient to the pressures of climate change, ensuring these special landscapes continue to support a wide range of wildlife.

The project is funded by the Government Species Survival Fund. The fund was developed by Defra and its Arm’s-Length Bodies. It is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency.