nature infographic leaflet

New Forest National Park is presented as a globally important place for wildlife, with over half of the area internationally protected for nature. It highlights a rare mix of habitats including lowland heath, bogs, freshwater wetlands, and 26 miles of coastal habitats. The park supports an estimated 20,000 species, about one-third of the UK total, including one-third of British wildflowers. Key features include more than 1,000 ponds, 1,000 ancient trees, and nearly 3,000 fungi species, with new ones still being found. It is a stronghold for many rare plants and breeding birds, is internationally important for lichens, and contains 75% of UK dragonfly and damselfly species. Wildlife noted includes 14 of 18 UK bat species, all six native UK reptiles, breeding seals and stingrays, and 5,000 grazing New Forest ponies that help maintain habitats.