Green Leaf Tourism Scheme

Play your part in a sustainable future

Look out for advertisers showing the Green Leaf and play your part in a more sustainable future! The Green Leaf Tourism Scheme (GLTS) is part of a national pilot for sustainable tourism in the UK. New Forest District Council and GLTS businesses have made a commitment to supporting:

Car-Free Tourism
New Forest Marque Produce
Energy Waste & Recycling initiatives
Landscape Conservation
Forest Friends - Visitor Stewardship
Community Tourism

 

Car-Free Tourism aims to reduce the traffic associated with tourism, and to help you make a choice a number of tourism business in the New Forest are now offering car-free discounts for leaving your car at home…So be sure to ask before you get in your car! The New Forest Tour Bus takes up to 8 bikes…. So you can explore the vast network of car-free cycle routes throughout the New Forest without need of your car! Travel to the New Forest by train between May and September to Brockenhurst; Lymington, Beaulieu Road Station, Ashurst or even Southampton and meet up with the New Forest Tour Bus. Cycle Hire companies at Brockenhurst station here in the forest can give you maps, advice and of course provide the bikes for a memorable and healthy break!

New Forest Marque Produce is fresh, environmentally friendly, locally distinctive, free range and in many cases, organic! Discover the fantastic produce of the historic New Forest and taste the experience! Choose from Pannage Pork (pork from forest roaming pigs feeding on acorns) to local cheeses, sea food, wines, beers and of course the New Forest Breakfast! Look out for the Green Leaf & New Forest Marque Symbols and help support small & unique forest businesses, and of course enjoy & tuck in…….you are on holiday!!!

Energy, Waste & Recycling is a major global concern and GLTS Businesses in the New Forest are committed to finding ways to reduce waste, improve energy efficiency and so reducing pollution and Co2 emissions….good news for us all!

Landscape & Conservation-From putting up bird and bat boxes, to planting British native trees and shrubs, GLTS businesses are helping to support wildlife and increasing biodiversity, with support from partner organisations, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust (HWT), & the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV).

Forest Friends Visitor Stewardship Programme - The Forestry Commission’s Progress Project Staff undertake a series of site visits for managers of GLTS businesses. The purpose of this is to provide the opportunity to learn about new forest management, sensitive habitats, recreational issues etc. GLTS business managers then pass on this knowledge to guests, visitors & staff. You can get involved by reading a copy of the “New Forest Visitor Pack” in your bedroom (if there isn’t one ask your accommodation provider) and gain a greater understanding of this unique and internationally important part of Rural England.

Community Support – GLTS businesses support local communities and help to establish positive relationships between the tourism industry in the New Forest and local communities, through participating in Local Community Tourism Groups or through active participation in local community based events.

For a Green Leaf Tourism Scheme application form download here

Guidance notes for potential Green Leaf participants download