A funding boost of £1.3m has been granted to increase wildlife in the New Forest.

The National Park Authority and partners are celebrating the award granted by the Species Survival Fund.

This fund, a joint operation between Defra and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, aims to halt the decline in several species and restore habitats in the New Forest.

The globally renowned wildlife hub, supported by ancient traditions of free-roaming commoning animals, has faced environmental changes which have led to a loss in animal habitats and species decline, according to the New Forest National Park Authority.

With the grant now in place, there will be a concerted effort among partner organisations and landowners to enhance and cultivate approximately 250 hectares of land for nature across 25 sites, equivalent to 350 football pitches.

This move towards improving habitats and re-establishing connections between them is projected to boost the numbers of species such as the pine martin, great crested newt, pollinating insects, and reptiles such as the adder and smooth snake.

It will also create the conditions necessary for an array of other species to thrive.

David Bence, New Forest National Park Authority chair, said: "Over half the National Park is designated for its international importance for nature – a higher proportion than any other UK national park.

"This combination of habitats is hard to find anywhere else in western Europe.

"Yet, like elsewhere, nature is under serious threat here and the New Forest is the last stronghold for some species. "National parks cover 10 per cent of England and are vital in helping Defra meet its 30by30 conservation target.

"This programme represents a major step forward in the urgent conservation work we and our partners need to do for the New Forest, particularly in and around the National Park boundary."

Conservation work is expected to result in an influx of wildlife species and foster links between the protected central core or Crown Lands of the New Forest with surrounding areas.

Areas such as woodlands, boggy mires, heathlands, meadows, wetlands, and streams will all be developed and new ponds, wetlands, and meadows will also be created.