Nature enhancement update – August 2024

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Nature enhancement is a key part of our ongoing work to conserve and enhance the Dedham Vale National Landscape & Stour Valley. 

Here is a round-up from all of our nature enhancement projects and volunteer work parties for August 2024.

For more information about any of our nature enhancement work, you can email alex.mooredaluz@suffolkandessex-NL.org.uk.

Tree Aftercare – Chelsworth

Removing tree guards is our game! Lots of fantastic help from our volunteers enabled us to finish off a newly planted woodland of 1,000 trees or so alongside the River Brett in Chelsworth.

The conditions here are superb for tree growing, evidenced by amazing growth rates of the trees.​

Tree Aftercare – Borley

Due to a terrific effort by our volunteers at a site in Borley we were able to remove lots of tree guards from native trees and shrubs that were planted 6 years ago.

It was great to see the trees thriving after coming through a tough couple of seasons with extreme weather.

The densely planted trees and shrubs will bring many benefits to the river alongside them and to terrestrial wildlife particularly birds and insects.​

Long Melford – Wetland Project Scoping

In partnership with the Environment Agency, I met with a landowner and contractors to discuss one of the autumn’s WEIF funded floodplain restoration projects to be carried out in Long Melford.

We hope to create a series of footdrains and scrapes to improve habitat for numerous bird species such as snipe, yellow wagtail, teal and many more species.

The enhancements will also be a welcome boost for marsh loving flora, amphibians and reptiles.​

Gardening for Wildlife

​We can all help wildlife in our gardens and digging a pond or creating some sort of water feature no matter how small could be a lifeline for amphibians such as the common frog (which isn’t really that common anymore!).

Water is so important for a multitude of insects which provide the food for so many other species higher up the food chain! If you already have a pond – make another one! The conditions won’t be exactly the same, which will suit different species.

Upcoming Tasks

Date Location Task
13.09.24​Raydon (Dedham Vale)​Stag Beetle Pyramid building.​
20.09.24​Shotley Gate​Wader fencing removal​
27.09.24​Tiger Hill – Assington​Erecting deer protection fencing​
04.10.24​Golden Wood – Shotley Gate​Blackthorn hedge coppicing​
11.10.24​Polstead​INNS control (snowberry, rhododendron, laurel)​
18.10.24​Bixley Heath – Ipswich​Heathland management – clearing gorse and cutting heather​
25.10.24​East Bergholt Lodge​Rhododendron control​