Forestry England
Responsible for the habitat restoration aspects of the scheme.
Forestry England Forestry England
Higher Level Stewardship Scheme
HLS aims
The five main objectives of the HLS scheme are:
- Conserving wildlife
- Protecting the historic environment
- Maintaining and enhancing landscape quality and character
- Promoting public access and understanding
- Protecting resources.
HLS projects
The Higher Level Stewardship scheme oversees a wide range of work which has a positive impact on the New Forest landscape, including:
- Wetland restoration
- Habitat restoration
- Commoning support
- Heritage
- Education.
Verderers of the New Forest Higher Level Stewardship Scheme partners
The Environmental Stewardship Schemes, of which HLS is one strand, are administered by Natural England, on behalf of Defra, and funds farmers and land managers throughout England to deliver effective environmental management on their land.
The scheme 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 Commoners’ Defence Association and technical advice and support from Natural England.
Verderers of the New Forest
Responsible for the commoning aspects of the scheme.
Verderers VerderersNational Park Authority
Responsible for the heritage and education aspects of the scheme.
About us About usDiscover more on the HLS website
Learn about the latest habitat restoration, commoning, heritage and education stories.
HLS website
What's next for the HLS scheme?
To prepare for a new scheme to support New Forest nature conservation action following the end of the HLS, the Forest Farming Group has been created to investigate the most appropriate scheme and lead the process for application.
Forest Farming Group