Forest Diary - Date With Nature

The Forest Diary - lending a hand in the forest (29/2/2012)

"As you venture through the New Forest, whether it be exploring the area and wildlife or taking a leisurely stroll, you may meet either myself or one of my ranger colleagues. As Forestry Commission rangers, it’s our job to help ensure that you enjoy your time here and that the forest itself is looked after for future visitors.

Our role is extremely varied so no two days are ever the same, but one thing you can guarantee is our passion for the job. There are six Forestry Commission rangers working in the New Forest, but we’re also supported by an enthusiastic force of volunteer rangers plus our other colleagues and partners.

Together, we are all keen to share our knowledge and love of the forest with you. You can find me out in the forest taking care of the trails and cycle paths to make sure they’re safe for visitors, or perhaps you’ll spot me at a Forestry Commission event, supporting the team to ensure it runs smoothly and being on hand to provide people with information about environmental conservation in the New Forest.

One project that I’m heavily involved in and that is particularly special to me is our New Forest Reptile Centre. Here, we help protect rare snakes and lizards and encourage the re-introduction of these animals across the country. We have created special outdoor pens at the centre which provide a natural home to the sand lizard, smooth snake and venomous adder. These reptiles can be difficult to see in the wild as they are rare and very secretive, so the Reptile Centre is a great place to see them close-up.

I’m also working with partners to get ready for this year’s ‘Date with Nature’ project which starts on 31st March. A Date with Nature takes place at the Reptile Centre and gives visitors the unique opportunity to view live footage taken from the nests of breeding birds of prey. Our wildlife staff have been busy identifying goshawks nests that would be suitable for filming and assessing the impact of the recent cold weather on goshawk numbers. The population of these birds has steadily been building in the New Forest, but it’s important that we keep monitoring their nests to safeguard them during forestry operations.

A Date with Nature is a joint venture between The RSPB, the Forestry Commission, New Forest National Park Authority and Carnyx Wild and will run daily from 31st March to 2nd September.

Visit http://www.newforestgateway.org/ for more information about a Date with Nature in the New Forest, or speak to one of our Rangers out and about in the forest!"


Richard Daponte, Ranger