Practical Conservation Tasks
Volunteers help the Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscapes staff 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.
You can view the role profile for our Practical Conservation volunteers (PDF).
For more information on any of the volunteering opportunities and roles within the Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape, please contact Nature Network Officer Alex Moore da Luz.
2026 Practical Conservation Volunteering Programme
Friday 19th June - Wildflower Meadow Creation
Location: Lower Holbrook
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 26th June - Grassland Restoration
Location: Dunwich
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 17th July - Stag Beetle Stumpery Building
Location: Old Waldringfield Golf Course
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 24th July - Grassland Restoration
Location: Dunwich
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 31st July - Wildflower Meadow Creation
Location: Lower Holbrook
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 7th August – Grassland Management
Location: Newbourne Springs
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 14th August - Footpath Maintenance
Location: Benacre
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 21st August - Sedge Management
Location: Bixley (Ipswich)
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 28th August - Bioblitz
Location: Old Waldringfield Golf Course
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 4th September - Cut & Rake
Location: Bawdsey
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 11th September – Pond Restoration
Location: Old Waldringfield Golf Course
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 18th September - Heathland Restoration
Location: Westleton Common
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 25th September - Heathland Management
Location: Newbourne Springs
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 2nd October – Heathland Management
Location: Broxtead Estate, Shotley
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Tuesday 6th October – Heathland Management
Location: Broxtead Estate, Shotley
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 9th October - Gorse Management
Location: Dunwich
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 16th October – Wader Fencing Dismantlement
Location: Shotley
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Tuesday 20th October - Hedge Planting
Location: Woodbridge
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 23rd October – Wader Fencing Dismantlement
Location: Shotley
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Tuesday 27th October - Hedge Planting
Location: Woodbridge
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 30th October – Heathland Management
Location: Broxtead Estate, Shotley
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 6th November – Gorse Management
Location: Old Waldringfield
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 13th November – Dead Hedging & Woodland Management
Location: Trimley
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 20th November – Dead Hedging & Woodland Management
Location: Trimley
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 27th November - Tree Planting
Location: Levington
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 4th December - Tree Planting
Location: Levington
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 11th December – Heathland Management
Location: Rendlesham
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 18th December – Heathland Management
Location: Bixley (Ipswich)
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 8th January – Heathland Management
Location: Rendlesham
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 15th January – Heathland Management
Location: Rendlesham
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 22nd January - Task tbc
Location: Benacre
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 29th January - Task tbc
Location: Benacre
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 5th February - Task tbc
Location: Hemley
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 12th February - Task tbc
Location: Hemley
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 19th February - Ringed Plover Fencing
Location: Shotley
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 26th February - Ringed Plover Fencing
Location: Shotley
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 5th March - Task tbc
Location: Walberswick
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 19th March - Task tbc
Location: Walberswick
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
To book your place or find out more information on any of the volunteering opportunities, please contact Nature Network Officer Alex Moore da Luz at [email protected].