Why partnership working is key to protecting the pristine habitats of the New Forest
30th June 2026
An interview with Paul Walton, Head of Environment and Rural Economy at the New Forest National Park Authority
The Freshwater Network is an ambitious strategy to build a cleaner, more connected network of habitats for wildlife, but we can’t do it alone.
In the New Forest, we work closely with the New Forest National Park Authority to protect the Forest’s pristine freshwater environment. Together, we are undertaking hands-on conservation work to expand the Forest’s rich freshwaters and promoting responsible enjoyment of the New Forest to its thousands of visitors.
We spoke to Paul Walton, Head of Environment and Rural Economy at the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA), about his role, the NPA’s priorities, and why the Forest is such a special place.
Can you tell us about the New Forest National Park Authority and your priorities?
Our purposes as a National Park Authority are set out in legislation: to conserve and enhance the New Forest’s natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage and to promote understanding and enjoyment of the Park’s special qualities.
We also have a duty to foster the economic and social wellbeing of communities within the National Park.
The UK’s National Parks are lived-in landscapes and so our work covers a broad remit including land use planning, conservation of the natural and built heritage, archaeology and education.
In the New Forest our priorities include addressing the challenges of the climate and nature emergencies, housing and development pressures and the threats to the future of commoning.
- Paul Walton, Head of Environment and Rural Economy, New Forest National Park Authority
What does your role as Head of Environment and Rural Economy involve?
The role is a varied one – encouraging landowners to manage their land for nature conservation through projects and grant schemes such as the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme to further our objectives; supporting local businesses, especially those members of the New Forest Marque local produce scheme; and building effective relationships with the many stakeholders involved in managing the National Park.
I enjoy the variety and the scale of the challenge – it suits the geographer in me! I’m passionate about the environment and enabling people to share in it – a National Park is a great place in which to do that work.
- Freshwater Habitats Trust New Forest Area Lead Gemma Stride (left) talking to National Park UK conservation directors about the New Forest's freshwaters.
Through the Freshwater Network, we’re working to protect the best habitats for freshwater wildlife. What makes the New Forest and its freshwater habitats so special?
The quality of the headwater streams and waterbodies in the core of the New Forest are amazing, largely untouched by pollution from wastewater and agricultural and road runoff that impacts so many other freshwater habitats. The centuries-old practice of commoning, with the land managed by grazing livestock, has created a unique environment with a huge range of associated species – a world capital for wildlife.
Do you have a favourite habitat or spot in the Forest?
That would be telling! The beauty of the New Forest is that you can find something special almost anywhere, but I am drawn to the coast and the remarkable array of birds sharing space with people and boats.
The Forest’s long history of traditional grazing has contributed to its high-quality habitat. How do you help to keep up this tradition across the New Forest?
Commoning is at the heart of the cultural life of the New Forest, the feature that sets the New Forest apart from other places.
The livestock play a key role in managing the open heathland habitats and it is vital that Commoners are rewarded for their work. A key role for us is to help secure a long term agri-environment agreement that helps support Commoners continue their work.
How do you approach partnership working and why is this so important to protect the New Forest?
The National Park Authority doesn’t own any land so to achieve our aims we need to work with others to deliver the outcomes we wish to see. This requires building relationships, trust and support and understanding different points of view. Ultimately, the future of the New Forest relies on the people who live here and those who visit so we need to win the respect of those who can make the changes we wish to see.
The partnership between the National Park Authority and the Freshwater Habitats Trust is a great example – combining the practical knowledge and expertise of the Trust with the strategic approach of the Authority.
The recent Species Survival Fund project created or enhanced 41 ponds and provides great case studies to inspire landowners to come forward with their own ideas. The project also enabled baseline surveys of freshwater invertebrates and plants.
Plant surveys identified 31 species of conservation concern including Hampshire Purslane, Lesser Spearwort, Star Sedge, Oblong‑leaved Sundew and Royal Fern, and invertebrate surveys identified 10 species of conservation concern, including several nationally scarce scavenger beetles and rare caddisflies.
- Pond complexes being created in the New Forest through the Species Survival Fund.
What is your hope for the future of the New Forest?
That as result of our combined efforts the New Forest National Park continues to thrive as a special place for wildlife, and people.