Guided walks shining a spotlight on the extraordinary landscapes, wildlife and traditions of the New Forest are among the highlights of this year’s New Forest Awakening Festival.
Throughout March, the festival organised by the National Park Authority highlights the small but meaningful actions we can all take to help protect the forest, alongside the work being done locally to address the twin climate and nature crises.
Participants can explore sustainable woodland management and coastal conservation projects, learn more about the centuries-old practice of commoning, find out the impacts of climate change on British wildlife over the past 200 years, and the importance of amateur ‘nature diaries’ in charting these changes.
New Forest rangers will be leading a series of walks exploring the area’s rich nature and heritage, and how individuals and organisations can work together to safeguard this internationally important landscape.
Wild New Forest guided walks include a sunrise tour in the early hours, arriving as first light spreads through ancient woodland and across open heath.
There are bird-watching walks at Lepe Beach and Lymington Keyhaven Nature Reserve.
Pondhead Conservation Trust will be showing walkers how they are restoring and managing the woodland on the edge of Lyndhurst a sustainable basis. You can also observe their charcoal kilns and see first hand how charcoal is made on site.
And there’s opportunity to go behind the scenes of forest life with Andrew Parry Norton, chair of the Commoners Defence Association on a Commoner’s Breakfast and Awakening Walk.
Other events include film screenings, creative workshops and art activities, farm experiences, repair cafés, litter picks and opportunities to meet local food producers.
Victoria Mander, chair of the National Park Authority said: “Protecting the National Park for future generations takes a collective effort. The New Forest Awakening Festival celebrates what makes this place so special while empowering people to take positive action.
“It’s a fantastic community-led programme with opportunities to connect with nature and discover what’s already happening near you to support nature recovery and tackle climate change.’
Full details on all guided walks and other events are available on the New Forest Awakening Festival website.
