What is our long-term goal?
To create an island full of life in a sea of economic forests, where centuries-old trees will grow and where nature will be in charge again.
Why do we do this?
We are conservationists and this is a concrete way to restore natural balance and diversity where it has disappeared due to human influence.
How do we do it?
We buy up land, especially spruce monocultures, then gradually cut down some of the spruce trees and plant the missing native tree species in their place. We protect the plantings from overpopulated browsing animals by building fences.
How can you help us?
Become a patron of a few m2 of the New Forest according to your options and help us create another new place for nature.
What stage are we at?
Over the past 20 years, we have purchased and converted more than 37 hectares of forest in the area. In 2024, we want to expand the New Forest with another plot of land.
What happens to each new plot of land within 5 years?
We lighten the dark spruce forest by cutting down part of the spruces and then plant several thousand saplings of firs, beeches, maples, ash trees, elms or yews, which will form the basis for the future primeval forest. With the help of wind and birds, the first plants and shrubs will also take hold here.
And in another 30 years?
Among the century-old spruces, mature firs, beeches and maples will grow, some of which will begin to bear fruit, and a new generation of forest will arise naturally from their seeds. The forest will be home to many species of plants, insects and birds.
And in 100 years?
Among the 160-year-old spruce giants, there will also be century-old firs, beeches and maples. Species that need old trees for their life will find their home here. The forest temple will be restored and nature will once again take over its management.
Is this a no-interference zone, where only nature is now in charge?
Not yet, we are actively intervening in the area. In particular, we are gradually cutting down some of the spruce trees. This brightens the dark forests and creates space for newly planted seedlings. However, the extent of our interventions will gradually decrease. The goal is that only nature will manage here one day.
In some places, logging is also taking place. Doesn’t that contradict the original idea?
It is not, although seeing some of the places after logging can be confusing and raise questions. However, only individual trees or small groups of them are logged, no large clearings are created here. If we left these sites without intervention, the spruces would gradually close the entire space again with their crowns and most of the planted seedlings would die from lack of light.
Why are some parts of the New Forest fenced off?
The fences protect mainly fir trees, but also deciduous trees, from getting eaten by deer and mouflon. For them, the planted seedlings are a tempting treat, especially since they will not find anything similar in the surrounding monocultures. It will be possible to remove the fences when the numbers of overpopulated browsing animals fall to an acceptable level.
If you have any further questions, please write to info@novyprales.cz. We will be happy to answer them.
You’ve convinced me. This kind of nature conservation makes sense to me.



