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 |