Reflective collars for New Forest livestock among projects celebrated in HLS scheme

Funding reflective collars for livestock is one of the initiatives which has been supported by a multi-million pound scheme in the New Forest.

The Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) scheme, which is managed by the Verderers of the New Forest in partnership with Forestry England and the New Forest National Park Authority with support from the CDA and Natural England, has been running since 2010 and brings £2m a year into the Forest.

In that time, its work has included restoring miles of wildlife habitats, working to identify and protect historic sites across an area the size of 17,000 football pitches and inspiring around 20,000 school children to cherish and protect the unique environment.

Around 3,000 reflective collars were fitted to ponies, donkeys and cattle during the past year to increase their visibility to drivers and reduce the number of animals involved in road accidents.

Other recent HLS projects include restoring wetland areas to increase their biodiversity and adapt to climate change.

A celebration evening took place at the Verderers’ Court in Lyndhurst at the end of January to mark HLS achievements. Official Verderer Edward Heron made a speech and thanked the volunteers who took part in projects and survey work.

‘The HLS scheme has delivered a wide range of long-lasting benefits for the Forest in the last year,’ he said. ‘There are so many people who work so hard to deliver the benefits of the HLS scheme and they are due thanks from us all.’

Find out more information about the HLS scheme here