Meadow management. Volunteers work with Emma Black at Coe’s Meadow in Bulmer to rake up the arisings from cutting the wildflower meadows.

Hedge planting opportunities

As part of the Hedgehog Friendly Village Project in East Bergholt some local hedgehog champions have identified some places in the countryside next to the village where some hedges and scrub can be planted to help connect habitats. The Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty team have arranged some tasks to do this hedge […]

Visiting a hedgehog friendly garden

Hedgehog Friendly Village Project

The hedgehog is a priority species in the Dedham Vale AONB Nature Recovery Plan. We have been working on a pilot project with the East Bergholt community to create a Hedgehog Friendly village.  As part of the project, on Saturday 5th March a free Walk & Talk event took place in the village. We had a great morning in […]

Stag Beetle Pyramids

Sustainable Development Fund grants available

The Sustainable Development Funds in the Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the Dedham Vale AONB & Stour Valley Project Area are available to a variety of local community and conservation organisations, or individuals, to support projects for the conservation and enhancement of the natural beauty in the areas. Both funds […]

orion-and-belt

CPRE’s Star Count 2022

To celebrate the wonder of starry skies, we’re excited to support CPRE, the countryside charity’s Star Count, a cosmic census to map our view of the night sky. It’s taking place between 26 February – 6 March. A star-filled sky is one of the most magical sights you can see in our countryside and the […]

Large group of walkers in a field

Suffolk Walking Festival 2022

The 14th Suffolk Walking Festival launches on 14 May 2022 with over 70 guided walks over two weeks over some wild countryside, outstanding landscapes, rolling hills, forests, and coastal beauty spots. With lots of weekend, evening and family walks, the programme has accessible, short, medium, long distance walks, and challenging walks. There is something for […]

Close up of Stour Valley Path sign

Stour Valley Path temporary closure

There is a temporary closure on the Stour Valley Path in Great/Little Thurlow due to an unsafe footbridge. See map for alternative route through Great Thurlow. It is likely this will remain closed until June 2022. Find out more information about visiting the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Project Area.

orion-and-belt

Stars up, lights down!

The Dark Skies Committee is determined to involve local schools in their campaign to preserve the night skies. In November 2021 Mike Barrett, the astronomer, contributed to a practical with telescopes at Stoke by Nayland C of E Primary School. He noted how knowledgeable and enthusiastic the children were and sent them all home with one of […]

A photo of rural landscape from Nayland looking north

Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Suffolk and Essex react to Government response to landscape review

The Dedham Vale and Suffolk Coast & Heaths Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) have today commented on the Government’s formal response to the review of protected landscapes. The chairs of the two AONBs, nationally significant landscapes that cover large parts of Suffolk and Essex, welcome the Government’s recent response to the Designated Landscapes Review […]