Friends of Ballard Nature Reserve

Friends of Ballard Nature Reserve is a group of conservation volunteers taking responsibility for the health and wellbeing of Ballard Nature Reserve in New Milton.

About Friends of Ballard Nature Reserve

Friends of Ballard Nature Reserve is a friendly, willing, and motivated group that cares deeply about Ballard Nature Reserve and wants to preserve it in good health for future generations. The Nature Reserve is a designated Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) described by the group as a ‘wonderful asset’ in the middle of town made up of around three acres of ancient semi-natural oak/hazel woodland and about seven acres of grazing wet meadow with a chalk stream running through the meadow. The whole space is fully accessible to the public.

The group’s aim is to make everyone feel welcome and that they can make a difference to the long term health of the Nature Reserve. It works within its limits and there is always time for a chat, either during tasks or at coffee breaks. There is no pressure to attend every week with most attending either the Friday or the Sunday sessions, depending on what works best for them. Most volunteers are not nature conservation professionals.

Friends of Ballard Nature Reserve is supported by New Milton Town Council which provides PPE and covers the group’s public liability insurance. The group’s management plan is publicly available on the Town Council website.

Activities available

• The Friends of Ballard Nature Reserve volunteer group completes tasks in accordance with its Five-year Management Plan, with tasks including:
  • Clearing and controlling invasive plants such as bramble and hemlock water dropwort to encourage the return of bluebells and foxgloves;
  • Coppicing existing hazel trees;
  • Planting oak and hazel saplings;
  • Cutting and clearing compartments within the meadow;
  • Managing the stream for blockages;
  • Path maintenance;
  • Monitoring plants and animals with routine butterfly transects and surveys of bird and invertebrate numbers and types.
• There are also visits organised to other nature conservation sites to see how they approach their work. In 2026, this included a visit to Stanpit Nature Reserve in Christchurch, a trip down the Beaulieu River to observe the wading birds and seals, and a visit to North addesley Butterfly Meadow where 16 different types of butterfly were counted in 2 hours.

Access and facilities

• Seating / rest points available
• Activities are outside
• Suitable for older people
• Other:
  • There are no toilet facilities on-site
  • Wheelchair access into the meadow is limited – the meadow has paths running through it but these are mostly informal tracks and not suitable for wheelchair access however, the woodland has a wide flint path (part of the New Milton Greenway walk) running through it so access is much better, if working close to the path

What Friends of Ballard Nature Reserve participants can expect

• Friends of Ballard Nature Reserve participants are asked to always wear robust, outdoor clothing, while PPE such as gloves and work boots can be provided.
• The work can be strenuous with activities like the clearance of bramble and hemlock water dropwort using shears described as the most challenging.
• The group always stops for a coffee break halfway through the morning and, while the aim is to finish promptly, people can stop whenever they want if they have had enough.
• Activities can be weather dependent and can be stopped in the case of heavy rain or strong winds. Sunscreen is always used in hot weather.

Where sessions take place

• Ballard Nature Reserve, New Milton
• Friends of Ballard Nature Reserve meet at the field gate on Lake Grove Road
  • • Post code – BH25 5JX
    • What Three Words – ///Ecologist.Fraction.Setting
  • Getting there:
    • Parking on adjacent Lake Grove Road or Marley Avenue.
    • The nearest bus stop is on Whitefield Road, New Milton (5 minute walk)

When sessions take place

• Friday mornings – 9.30am to 12.30pm
• Sunday mornings – 10.30am to 1pm

Who can participate?

• Friends of Ballard Nature Reserve’s volunteer group is open to all ages, however under 18’s would need to be accompanied by a responsible adult. All activities involve the use of tools such as shears, saws, spades and rakes.

Cost

• Free, but you have to become of member of Friends of Ballard Nature Reserve (membership free)

How to book

• Initially, people should email Friends of Ballard Nature Reserve to request to join a session. Thereafter, if they want to continue they will go on our WhatsApp chat group which is the main way group members can communicate with each other.

Not the right group for you? Find our other groups and opportunities on the Green Health Hub, or search by activity. Find out how to enjoy the New Forest on your own through the National Park Authority.