The Forestry Commissionis the Department responsible for protecting, expanding and promoting the sustainable management of woodlands and increasing their value to society and the environment. Around three-quarters of England's woodlands and forests are privately owned and about one-quarter are public forests managed by the Forestry Commission, through its agency Forest Enterprise. In the New Forest, a major project called PROGRESS was implemented to assess the impacts of increasing recreation pressure on protected conservation areas in the New Forest and the Forêt de Fontainebleau in France. As part of a sustainable tourism initiative through the Green Leaf Tourism Scheme, a Visitor Stewardship Programme was devised with The Forestry Commission’s Progress Project Staff. This includes a series of site visit to provide valuable environmemtal/recreational information to managers of hotels, B&B, attractions etc. Subjects include new forest management, site problems, sensitive habitats & recreational areas etc. On the day Green Leaf participants meet rangers, foresters, commoners and keepers. There is the chance to ask questions, and then pass on this knowledge to guests, visitors & staff. New Forest Visitor Pack accompanies the programme and promotes the key messages to visitors & staff. Download the latest progress report Forestry Commission - The New Forest
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