Practical Conservation Tasks
Volunteers help the Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscapes taff team on conservation projects to increase the biodiversity within the designated landscape and wider project areas.
We hold regular conservation work days throughout the year. All you have to do is register as a volunteer and we will notify you when work days are happening so you can book your place on the task.
The volunteers regularly undertake practical conservation work. If you would like to work outdoors in the beautiful National Landscape, help your local environment and meet some new people, then why not join us!
We sometimes work on projects with community and corporate volunteers, so you may be working alongside such groups. Additional training is offered, for example in first aid, should you be interested.
You work for as long as you wish and at your own pace. Knowledge of landscape, heritage, wildlife and conservation is not needed, you can learn as you go along. All locations will have been risk-assessed beforehand and personal protective equipment is provided to ensure tasks are safe working environments.
Examples of jobs and tasks include:
- Habitat management and creation
- Biodiversity projects
- Tree and hedge planting
- Removing plastic tubes and guards from trees
These conservation initiatives are vital as they help the Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape fulfil its commitment to the Colchester Declaration.
For more information on any of the volunteering opportunities and roles within the Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape, please contact Countryside Project Officer Neil Lister or Nature Network Officer Alex Moore da Luz.
2024-25 Practical Conservation Volunteering Programme
Tuesday 13th August - Heather Gardening
Weeding ‘scrapes’ & adding arisings to reptile Hibernacula
Location: Piper's Vale
Task Leader: Neil Lister
Thursday 15th August - Meadow Rake
Raking previously cut material from the wildflower area
Location: Aldringham Churchyard
Task Leader: Neil Lister
Friday 23rd August - Wetland Site Activity
Location: tbc
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Monday 2nd September - Acorn Collecting
Collecting acorns from the veteran oaks and planting these to grow on. Tree nursery maintenance and tree guard preparation
Location: Staverton Park & Thicks
Task Leader: Neil Lister
Tuesday 3rd September - Heather Gardening
Weeding ‘scrapes’ & adding arisings to reptile Hibernacula
Location: Piper's Vale
Task Leader: Neil Lister
Friday 6th September - Cutting/Popping of Alder
Location: SSSI Marshes site tbc
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Thursday 12th September - Cut and rake
A cut and rake of the bracken behind the Church
Location: Butley Churchyard
Task Leader: Neil Lister
Tuesday 17th September - Cut and rake
A cut and rake of the bracken to encourage the few clumps of heather that remain
Location: Church Common, Snape
Task Leader: Neil Lister
Friday 20th September - Wader Fencing Removal
Location: Shotley
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Tuesday 24th September - Various tasks
Choose from - coppicing; building a Stag Beetle Pyramid, creating glades; making ‘dead’ hedges, removing saplings from reedbeds, developing layers of vegetation
Location: Walberswick
Task Leader: Neil Lister
Friday 4th October - Blackthorn Hedge Coppicing
Location: Viking Forest, Shotley
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 18th October - Heathland Management
Location: Bixley
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 1st November - Cut & Rake
Location: Sizewell
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 15th November - Plantation Thinning
Location: Trimley Marshes
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 29th November - Plantation Thinning
Location: Trimley Marshes
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 13th December - Hedge Planting & Aftercare
Location: tbc
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 10th January- Hedge Planting & Aftercare
Location: tbc
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 24th January- Hedge Planting & Aftercare
Location: tbc
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 7th February- Hedge Planting & Aftercare
Location: tbc
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 21st February- Hedge Planting & Aftercare
Location: tbc
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 7th March- Hedge Planting & Aftercare
Location: tbc
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
To book your place or find out more information on any of the volunteering opportunities, please contact Countryside Project Officer Neil Lister at [email protected] or Nature Network Officer Alex Moore da Luz at [email protected].