Practical Conservation Tasks
Volunteers help the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) staff team on conservation projects to increase the biodiversity within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty 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 Coast & Heaths, 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 AONB fulfil its commitment to the Colchester Declaration, which is the AONB network’s response to the biodiversity crisis.
For more information on any of the volunteering opportunities and roles within the AONB, please contact Countryside Project Officer Neil Lister or AONB Nature Recovery Officer Alex Moore da Luz.
2023 Practical Conservation Volunteering Programme
Friday 21st April – Task tbc
Location: Cliff Farm, Sutton, Woodbridge
Friday 28th April – Task tbc
Location: Cliff Farm, Sutton, Woodbridge
Friday 12th May – Hedgerow Opportunity Mapping
Location: Kessingland
Saturday 20th May – Litter Pick
Location: Hadleigh Road Industrial Estate – River Gipping
Friday 2nd June – Hedgerow Opportunity Mapping
Location: Kessingland
Sunday 18th June – Pond Making / Litter Clean Up Event
Location: Ipswich
Friday 14th July – Hedgerow Opportunity Mapping
Location: Kessingland
Friday 28th July – Hedgerow Opportunity Mapping
Location: Kessingland
Friday 11th August – Birch Clearing
Location: Sizewell Estate, Sizewell
Friday 15th September – Task tbc
Location: Captains Wood, Sudbourne
Friday 29th September – Wader Fencing Removal
Location: Shotley
Friday 13th October – Task tbc
Location: Captains Wood, Sudbourne
Friday 27th October – Heathland Management
Location: Pin Mill
Friday 10th November – Plantation Thinning & Dead Hedging
Work to benefit nightingale, spotted flycatcher and different warblers.
Location: Trimley Marshes
Friday 24th November – Plantation Thinning & Dead Hedging
Work to benefit nightingale, spotted flycatcher and different warblers.
Location: Trimley Marshes
Friday 8th December – Heathland Management
Location: Pin Mill
Friday 19th January – Brash Clearance
Location: Sizewell Estate, Sizewell
Friday 23rd February – Wader Fencing Erection
Location: Shotley