£1.3 million going into restoring New Forest habitats
The Government and National Lottery cash will go to six organisations
£1.3 million is to be spent in the New Forest to restore local habitats and increase wildlife numbers.
A project, led by the National Park Authorty, with five other partner organisations, has got support from the Species Survival Fund - set up by the Government's Defra department and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
250 hectares of land will be enhanced over 25 sites - that's the equivalent of 350 football pitches.
It's hoped improving habitats will help to reverse declines in the numbers of pine martin, great crested newt, pollinating insects and reptiles such as adder and smooth snake in the New Forest and create the conditions for a host of other species to flourish.
14 jobs will also be created or retained, while five interns will develop green skills and 50 new volunteers will be recruited.
New Forest National Park Authority Chair David Bence said:
"Over half the National Park is designated for its international importance for nature – a higher proportion than any other UK national park. This combination of habitats is hard to find anywhere else in western Europe. Yet, like elsewhere, nature is under serious threat here and the New Forest is the last stronghold for some species.
"National parks cover 10% of England and are vital in helping Defra meet its 30by30 conservation target. This programme represents a major step forward in the urgent conservation work we and our partners need to do for the New Forest, particularly in and around the National Park boundary."
Environment Minister, Rebecca Pow, said:
"The funding as part our flagship Species Survival Fund will enable local authorities, landowners, farmers, and our protected landscapes organisations to restore nature at scale and provide valuable green jobs in the process.
"Only by creating bigger and better habitats for wildlife will we be able to halt the alarming decline in species loss. This fund will be a key plank in achieving our legally binding targets to halt species loss and protect 30% land for nature by 2030."