The New Forest and Fontainebleau Forest are two of the largest state-owned woodland sites in the NWE. As designated Natura 2000 sites (under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives), the forests face considerable pressure in providing informal outdoor leisure amenities to surrounding communities and visitors. The main objective of this project, Promotion and Guidance for Recreation on Ecologically Sensitive Sites – which involves the UK’s Forestry Commission, the French Office National des Fôrets, as well as a research institute, countryside agency and tourism bodies from England, Scotland, France and the Netherlands - is to reconcile the high level of demand for woodland recreation with wildlife conservation in two major NWE forests, and to integrate the recreation strategies within the wider regional planning framework through cross-sectoral co-operation. PROGRESS aims to generate sustainable solutions to the issues of i) ecology, by adapting management of such sites to reconcile conservation and cultural heritage with leisure activities and tourism; ii) communication, by effectively transmitting focused environmental awareness to local communities and visitors; iii) sustainability, by securing resources and partnerships for sustainable recreation management; and iv) wider European transnationality, by gaining from other European examples and developing mechanisms of environmental sustainability for successful partnerships between land managers and leisure operators in the NWE zone and across Europe, to the accession countries. Examples of actions to be undertaken include a field survey, to show how different visitor patterns will affect the sustainability of wildlife populations and vegetation, with Alterra models, MASOOR and METAPHOR; and a volunteer ranger programme, to involve local communities and develop awareness. Recreation plans will be drawn up on the basis of an innovative data modelling system and widespread consultation with various stakeholders. A range of small investments in networks of forest trails and access point changes will be aimed at promoting alternative recreation and re-directing users away from ‘sensitive’ zones in need of protection. PROGRESS provides a transnational vehicle for data collection and mapping, the formulation and transfer of best practice, staff exchanges and joint communication activities.