Practical Conservation Tasks
Volunteers help the Dedham Vale National Landscape staff team on conservation projects to increase the biodiversity within the National Landscape and wider project areas in the Stour Valley.
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 Dedham Vale, 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 Dedham Vale National Landscape fulfil its commitment to the Colchester Declaration.
For more information on any of the volunteering opportunities and roles within the National Landscape, please contact Countryside Project Officer Emma Black or Nature Network Officer Alex Moore da Luz.
2025 Practical Conservation Volunteering Programme
Friday 11th April - Giant Hogweed Control
Location: Long Melford
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Wednesday 16th April - Black Poplar Nursery
Help do some TLC on our clone trees and fix/create tree guards where needed
Location: Alphamstone
Task Leader: Emma Black
Wednesday 30th April - Tree Guard Removal
Remove broken wooden tree guards from around established trees
Location: Shalford Meadow, Henny
Task Leader: Emma Black
Wednesday 14th May - Hedge Aftercare
Help look after the hedge we planted for a village hedgehog connectivity project
Location: East Bergholt
Task Leader: Emma Black
Friday 23rd May - Himalayan Balsam Control
Location: Shelley / Higham
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Wednesday 28th May - Hedge Aftercare
Help Clare Combined Charity to do some tree aftercare on recently planted hedges and woodland trees
Location: Upper Common, Clare
Task Leader: Emma Black
Wednesday 4th June - Summer Visit
Location: tbc
Task Leader: Emma Black
Friday 6th June - Himalayan Balsam Control
Location: Shelley / Higham
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Friday 20th June - Himalayan Balsam Control
Location: Shelley / Higham
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Wednesday 25th June - Path/Ditch Clearance
Clear paths for easy access around this reserve and clear a ditch so water can flow to a pond at this beautiful Essex Wildlife Trust Reserve
Location: Loshes Reserve, Henny
Task Leader: Emma Black
Friday 4th July - Himalayan Balsam Control
Location: Shelley / Higham
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Wednesday 9th July - Meadow Cut & Rake / Himalayan Balsam Pulling
An early part cut of the meadow will help suppress some of the vigorous plants and pulling up Himalayan Balsam will reduce the amount left on this site
Location: Daws Hall
Task Leader: Emma Black
Wednesday 16th July - Bracken Removal
Cut bracken back from newly planted trees for dormice to ensure they thrive
Location: Tiger Hill, Assington
Task Leader: Emma Black
Wednesday 23rd July - Sedge Cutting
Help manage the sedge bed for floral diversity
Location: Foxearth Meadows Local Nature Reserve
Task Leader: Emma Black
Wednesday 6th August - Wildflower Patch Cut & Rake
Help local wildlife group cut and rake a wildflower area in the parish
Location: Steeple Bumpstead
Task Leader: Emma Black
Wednesday 20th August - Wet Meadow Management
Cutting the meadow and removing the cut material will encourage wildflowers such as the early marsh orchid at this County Wildlife Site
Location: Rum Bridge Fisheries, Clare
Task Leader: Emma Black
Wednesday 27th August - Grassland Management
An annual cut & rake at this medieval green will maintain populations of early marsh orchids and greater birds foot trefoil
Location: Long Melford Green Community Wildlife Site
Task Leader: Emma Black
Wednesday 3rd September - Meadow Management
A cut & rake at this Local Nature Reserve will ensure wildflowers such as greater knapweed, scabious and agrimony flourish next year
Location: Harpers Mill, Nayland
Task Leader: Emma Black
Wednesday 10th September - Green Lane Management
Cutting and removing the grass will help wildflowers like uncommon sulphur / strawberry clover thrive at this County Wildlife Site
Location: Buntry Lane, Kedington
Task Leader: Emma Black
Wednesday 24th September - Meadow Management
A cut and rake of this community meadow site will ensure a wonderful display of wildflowers next year
Location: Coes Meadow, Bulmer
Task Leader: Emma Black
Wednesday 1st October - Grassland Management
Work with the local community to rake up cut grass to improve the floral diversity of this beautiful church yard
Location: Polstead Churchyard
Task Leader: Emma Black
For more information on any of the volunteering opportunities and roles within the National Landscape, please contact Countryside Project Officer Emma Black or Nature Network Officer Alex Moore da Luz.