By Alison Barnes
Chief Executive, New Forest National Park Authority
As the New Forest National Park marks its 20th anniversary, the Solent area is undergoing change on many fronts and how we act together now will determine the success of our collective future.
Our maritime history connects us to the world; we are home to world-class universities and research facilities; an exciting and diverse cultural offer; cutting edge businesses… and importantly our environment is world-beating – with a staggering 20,000 species in the New Forest alone.
Our environment is, I believe, a huge asset to be cherished and safeguarded. It’s the fabric that weaves across our lives and gives life, wellbeing and an exceptional place to live and work. It features the New Forest to the west, the South Downs to the east, our special rivers and the Solent with its rich coastal and marine ecology and the green spaces that run through our towns and cities.
Our region is naturally distinctive in character; a unique and special environment we can all be justifiably proud of. It’s our natural assets that give direct and distinctive value to our economy and communities:
- Capturing carbon and atmospheric pollutants
- Protecting us from flooding
- Offering business natural materials and resources
- Proving healthy food
- Creating places where people can go to recharge and keep healthy.
So protecting our natural assets is good for us and our economy; it’s not an ‘add-on’ or ‘nice to have’.
The New Forest is not only a haven for wildlife and heritage, but a vital contributor to the region’s economy and public health. Here we can show where environment, culture, economy and health come together in a landscape and can change threats into opportunities and solutions.
We’re working alongside landowners, volunteers, businesses and local communities as ‘Team New Forest’ to secure our rich landscapes, heritage and culture.
We’ve developed a ‘green links’ vision showing how new corridors can be created for wildlife and people to reconnect the Waterside communities on our National Park boundary with the New Forest.
A ‘Greenprint’ initiative – led by the National Park Authority, University of Southampton and University of Portsmouth and local authorities – is making recommendations to enhance green skills, jobs and careers and ensure there are opportunities for the next generation of green leaders to progress. Our £1.4m YouCAN youth for climate and nature scheme including partners from Bournemouth to Southampton is helping young people to develop their careers in the sector so that we are the go-to area for such careers in the future.
Land and water management, nature restoration, carbon capture, green tech, supported by research, innovation and green finance are all key elements of our regional economy that have the potential to grow.
As we look to the next 20 years, let’s ensure investment is made into nature so we can truly be known as a world class economy and world class environment.
All of us can play a part securing our wonderful area for future generations just as those who went before us did.