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
Wednesday 17th April - Tools Maintenance Day
Location: Saxon House, Ipswich
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 26th April - Hedge Maintenance
Location: Cliff Farm, Sutton
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 10th May - Stag Beetle Pyramid Building
Location: Cliff Farm, Sutton
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 24th May - Stag Beetle Pyramid Building
Location: tbc
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 7th June - Stag Beetle Pyramid Building
Location: Viking Forest, Shotley
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 21st June - Stag Beetle Pyramid Building
Location: tbc
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 5th July - Stag Beetle Pyramid Building
Location: tbc
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 19th July - Stag Beetle Pyramid Building
Location: tbc
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 23rd August - Wetland Site Activity
Location: tbc
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 6th September - Cutting/Popping of Alder
Location: SSSI Marshes site tbc
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 20th September - Wader Fencing Removal
Location: Shotley
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
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].