Young people in Suffolk and Essex are being encouraged to apply for a new work placement opportunity to help care for local wildlife and the local landscape.

The role is with the Coast & Heaths and Dedham Vale Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), and part of the wider New to Nature programme.

It is funded by The National Heritage Lottery Fund which looks for young and diverse talent from communities currently underrepresented in environmental roles – specifically young people who are from ethnically diverse backgrounds, have a disability or are economically disadvantaged.

The AONB Nature Recovery Assistant offers a young person (aged 18 to 25) a 12-month paid work placement, based in Ipswich. This full-time role will offer hands-on experience and the opportunity to assist the planning and delivery of practical nature recovery work, central to the conservation and enhancement of natural beauty.

It will also help raise awareness of the wildlife crisis and create opportunities for local people to make a connection with nature as well as their national landscape.

New to Nature aims to help young people who may not have considered a career in the environment and natural heritage and need extra support to find work in the sector, often because such roles are not visible to them, or they feel excluded. Research shows that:

• 57% of disabled people feel excluded from being able to reduce their environmental impact
• Less than 5% of environment professionals are from ethnic minority backgrounds

Councillor Nigel Chapman, Chair of the Dedham Vale AONB Joint Advisory Committee said:

“We are very excited to provide the first stepping stone for a young person to embark on a fulfilling career in the green sector, and would encourage young people to get in touch to find out more about this placement and the worthwhile work that the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty team delivers.”

Councillor Andrew Reid, Chair of the Coast & Heaths AONB Joint Advisory Committee and Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for Public Health and Public Protection, said:

“This is a great opportunity for someone to help make life better for our wildlife and its habitats. Biodiversity has declined across the country, but we’re working to reverse that trend here in Suffolk. Suffolk County Council is proud to work with so many partners that have the same ambition to give everyone better access to nature and enjoy all the wellbeing benefits that come with it.”

New to Nature is also supporting the work of Green Careers Week, a Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs run initiative, that aims to promote the personal and wider-planet benefits of green sector and environmental jobs.

The application deadline is 12pm on Friday 17th February 2023. To find out more and apply, please visit the Suffolk Jobs Direct website.