A NEW partnership has been formed to spread awareness of the potential impacts dogs can have on wildlife in the New Forest.

The New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) has teamed up with New Forest Dog Owners Group (NFDOG) to employ a new third seasonal ranger to help people care for the forest.

It is hoped the move will promote the New Forest Dog Walking Code to residents, visitors and local communities.

In previous years, two seasonal rangers have been employed for six months from March to September to help people learn about the importance of the New Forest, its protected species and promote important messages to reduce any potentially harmful behaviour.

Gillie Molland, lead ranger at the NPA, said: ‘It will be great to work closely with NFDOG and also increase our seasonal rangers to three this year.

"We hope to encourage responsible dog ownership which avoids conflict with the special qualities of the National Park by encouraging people to follow the New Forest Dog Walking Code that has been agreed by members of the New Forest Dogs Forum."

The authority said often people, through no fault of their own, are unaware of the potential impacts that they can have on ground nesting birds and other wildlife.

After an approach from NFDOG about working together, the NPA said the larger ranger team will allow them to engage with more dog walkers.

Heather Gould, chairman of NFDOG, said: ‘We hope our partnership will nurture a greater understanding between dog walkers and other recreational forest users and help share the main messages of our local codes which are to help keep the National Park clean, stay safe, keep dogs under effective control especially around forest livestock and develop a mutual respect between forest user groups."

The first three months for seasonal ranger Kat Saleiko are focused on raising awareness of rare ground nesting birds and how forest users can reduce disturbing them during the very sensitive months of the bird breeding season.

She will then help to deliver a programme of activities promoting the wider aspects of the New Forest Dog Walking Code to regular walkers and summer visitors, including those visiting and camping in forest sites.

For more information on the New Forest Dog Walking Code visit www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/walking