PROGRESS
The PROGRESS project is led by a team at the Forestry Commission office in Lyndhurst, and draws together four other partners: Natural England in the UK; the Office National des Forêts and Comité Départemental du Tourisme in France and the Dutch research institute Alterra. The four year project, which began in October 2003, was granted a one year extension in 2007 to allow for all the investment works to be completed. The €3.7 million initiative co-funded by the EU set out to examine the impacts of increasing recreation pressure on protected conservation areas in the UK’s New Forest and the Forêt de Fontainebleau in France. These two sites were selected as they share much in common. Both have a strong cultural heritage and support a huge variety of wildlife, including many internationally rare species. They are also famous for their wild and natural character, their wide-open spaces and beautiful scenery. Conversley, they also share the attendant problems which go with their prized status. Both lie within easy reach of huge populations and attract millions of visitors every year. Numbers have swelled enormously over the past three decades, with potentially serious ecological consequences. Wildlife can be disturbed by the activities of people, and vulnerable habitats have come under increasing pressure from the countless feet, horses’ hooves and cycle tyres. Therefore, a sustainable, effective and practical strategy is essential if we are to safeguard the forests for the future. 
Surveys & ResearchRead the results of the New Forest Visitor Survey 2004/2005. Download a copy of the Tourism South East Disturbance Management Report 2006 (PDF 589K). Download the recent New Forest Dog (PDF 462K) and Horse (PDF469K) studies. * *The Forestry Commission has drawn no firm conclusions from these reports. NFDOG has produced a set of alternative estimates - please click on the link to find out more. The Geodata Institute (Southampton University) conducted a Survey of Off Road Cycling - January 2007 (PDF 3287k) To assess population size of ground nesting birds in the New Forest the Progress Team carried out two consecutive surveys New Forest Wading Bird Survey 2006 (PDF 115k) and Breeding Waders on the New Forest 2007 (PDF 19k) with Conclusions (PDF 19k) and Appendices of results (PDF 20k). Data from the New Forest Visitor Survey was analysed by the Dutch partner, Alterra, and entered into special computer models, MASOOR, LARCH and METAPHOR which can assess the interaction of the ecology with recreational use across the two forests. These models have helped predict where likely disturbance or erosion is occuring, and provided detailed maps identifying which locations, sensitive habitats and wildlife are under the greatest threat from recreational pressure. Codes of ConductOne of the early achievements of the New Forest stakeholders group is the production of new codes of conduct for  popular activities such as horse-riding (PDF 218K), dog walking (PDF 191K) and cycling (PDF 1.9MB), plus a general out and about (PDF 264K) guide. These codes carry important messages designed to provide guidance to forest users on how they can help protect the area they enjoy so much. The codes are available across the New Forest in shops, information points, libraries, hotels, recreation centres and other outlets. Copies are also available online or by ringing the Forestry Commission on 023 8028 3141. Enjoy & Protect Our Forests European Conference -Fontainebleau October 2007 Staff, volunteers, stakeholders and delegates from across ten European countires had the chance to meet up in October to discuss common issues and learn from each other’s experiences. This partnership approach will be essential in finding the right solutions for managing the two forests in the 21st century Download Celebrating Our Forests presentation (PDF 2266k) Pilot Actions (PDF 3784k), and Data Gathering Masoor Models & Surveys (PDF 2065k) Breakout Sessions Discussions The Progress Project has forged closer links with schools to raise awareness of sustainable forestry (PDF 643k) by creating free lesson plans (PDF 1897k), with teachers notes (PDF 161k). For further information about the project please call the Forestry Commission on 023 8028 3141 or download the PROGRESS project leaflet (PDF 618K).
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