Grants of up to £5,000 are now available for people who are working to help secure the future of the New Forest.

The Love the Forest scheme run by registered charity the New Forest Trust, has recently funded a wide range of conservation, education and commoning projects.

Initiatives include printing the New Forest Code to show how to care for the Forest; supporting the campaign to reduce animal accidents; research into rare pine martens; a film for visitors about how to the keep the Forest special and providing litter picking kits for National Park ambassadors.

Businesses across the National Park help raise the funds from their customers by adding a small donation to restaurant bills, accommodation, products and services.

New Forest Trust chairman William Ziegler said: “The New Forest landscape is globally important for nature and it’s only through everyone working together that we can make sure it’s around for future generations.

“We know there are some great projects which could get under way with a bit of funding so we’re calling on businesses, communities, schools and organisations to submit their ideas. Applying is easy and you’ll get a quick response.

“We would also like to thank our partner businesses and their customers who have raised hundreds of thousands of pounds over the years to ensure the spectacular New Forest is not just protected but improved.”

Grants of £50 to £5,000 are available and projects must meet one or more of the New Forest Trust charitable objectives:

• Promoting the conservation, protection and improvement of the New Forest
• Promoting the conservation and protection of the commoning livestock, the deer and other flora and fauna of the New Forest
• Promoting the education and understanding of the public in the commoning of livestock, of fauna and flora and the environment of the New Forest.

Find out more about projects the scheme has supported and how to apply for your own grant on the website: www.lovetheforest.org.uk.