Hampshire is one of the richest areas for wildlife in England. The county contains a landscape of remarkable contrasts and a diversity of habitats unparalleled in other parts of south-east England. Hampshire's mosaic of habitats includes ancient woodlands, wildflower meadows, heathlands, chalk downland, river valleys, coastal habitats, and the New Forest - the greatest area of 'semi-wilderness' left in lowland England. These habitats support an exceptional variety of wild plants and animals.

Britain's most valuable wildlife habitats - designated as 'Sites of Special Scientific Interest' or SSSIs - cover 14% of the county, about twice the national average. Many of these areas are also important internationally. A further 8% of Hampshire is covered by county 'Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation' or SINCs. And, even outside all of these specially recognised areas, much of Hampshire's landscape is very rich in biodiversity.

But many wildlife habitats have been lost: for example 98% of chalk downland has vanished since the 1800s. Many once common farmland birds - such as skylark, linnet and yellowhammer - have dramatically declined in the past 30 years. There is a pressing need to conserve and restore the habitats that remain in the Hampshire's rural and urban areas.