Cash boost for group battling to stop plant invasion in New Forest

A CASH injection of £5,000 has been made by a charity to keep alive efforts to rid the New Forest of invasive plants.

The award was given to the New Forest Non-Native Plants Project which works to restore and conserve the area’s special habitats by stopping the spread of harmful weeds.

Hundreds of volunteers have helped remove swathes of unwanted flora, such as Himalayan balsam, from riverbanks allowing wildflowers to flourish.

Catherine Chatters, New Forest non-native plants officer, said: “By volunteering with the project, people are able to increase their appreciation, knowledge and understanding of the New Forest, not only its flora and fauna but also the vital role that commoners and their animals perform in the conservation of this very special area.

“The project will continue to make a difference by controlling and eradicating invasive non-native plants, thereby restoring habitats and allowing our native wildlife to thrive.”

The activity is a partnership hosted by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and supported by the Our Past, Our Future landscape partnership scheme. That is run by the national park authority but National Lottery funding ends this year.

The new cash came from the Love the Forest scheme, which is part of the New Forest Trust conservation charity.

It works with businesses to raise funds for conservation and education projects, as well as providing grants to local organisations.

Businesses provide opportunities for their customers to add a donation on a room stay, meal or product. Some businesses donate directly or run fundraising events and the scheme has so far raised £265,000 for New Forest groups and organisations.

William Ziegler, chair of the New Forest Trust, said: “The New Forest’s internationally recognised biodiversity must be protected. This includes the important work of controlling invasive non-native plants and as such we are happy to support such a project.”