More than 24 acres of land in the New Forest have been planted with wildflowers to help boost insect and pollinator numbers. The project, led by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, is part of a wider effort to improve habitat quality and biodiversity across the landscape.

Working with six private landowners, the Trust is creating a network of wildflower-rich “stepping stones” to help species move more easily across the area. Over 550 metres of new hedgerows have also been planted, with additional work to restore and connect older hedges.

At one site, 4,000 wildflower plugs were added in a strip stretching 800 metres to encourage the spread of native species. The work supports local wildlife including birds, bats and reptiles, while addressing the steep national decline in pollinating insects.

Not all land is suitable for wildflowers, so careful site selection and soil testing have been key. The project is part of a £1.3 million conservation initiative led by the New Forest National Park Authority and funded through the Government’s Species Survival Fund.