WINNERS - Egrets
Egrets were only found in central and eastern Europe in the 1980s but with a warmer climate they are regularly found on the New Forest coast and at Blashford Lakes.
Climate change in the New Forest
Act together now
The climate crisis is the most significant long-term threat to the extraordinary New Forest landscape and the people and wildlife that rely on it.
We’re working with partners and communities to combat the effects of the climate and nature emergencies and keep the New Forest beautiful and sustainable. Find out how we can all get involved.
What are the issues?
We’re already seeing warmer, wetter winters and hotter, drier summers. It’s likely we’ll see an increase in the intensity and frequency of storms and extreme weather events.
This is already impacting our wildlife, local livelihoods and people’s health.
What we're doing
We and our partners and communities are already working to both:
- reduce or prevent the effects of climate change (known as mitigation)
- help the Forest – its landscape, wildlife and people – become more resilient and withstand the effects of climate change (known as adaptation).
By making changes now, we can make a positive difference to the New Forest and the planet for future generations.
What we can all do
Here are some top tips to live more sustainably and reduce our impact on climate and nature.
Reducing our impact on the environment
The New Forest National Park Authority is taking steps to reduce its own impact and reach ‘net zero’ by 2030. Find out how we’re doing.
Wildlife winners and losers
The changes in climate we're already seeing are having an impact on New Forest wildlife. Here are some of the winners and losers.
LOSERS - Beech trees
Many ancient beech trees have been lost as, with their shallow roots, they are particularly vulnerable to hotter summers and wetter winters.