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.
2024-25 Practical Conservation Volunteering Programme
Wednesday 23rd October - Willow Coppicing
Coppice willow to let light into the mere to encourage wetland plants to grow
Location: Conrard Mere
Task Leader: Emma Black
Friday 25th October - Rhododendron Control
Location: East Bergholt
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Wednesday 30th October - Groundworks at Black Poplar Nursery
Help remove old nursery fencing to make way for new black poplar trees
Location: Alphamstone
Task Leader: Emma Black
Wednesday 6th November - Grassland/hedge Management
Rake up cut meadow grass & prune hedge at this quiet community site
Location: Langham
Task Leader: Emma Black
Friday 8th November - Rhododendron Control
Location: East Bergholt
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Wednesday 13th November - Tree Guard Removal
Remove plastic tree tubes from edges to encourage more bottom growth
Location: Higham
Task Leader: Emma Black
Thursday 21st November - Coppicing & Dead Hedging
Coppicing and dead hedging to help manage the wood better for dormice
Location: Loshes Reserve
Task Leader: Emma Black
Friday 22nd November - tbc
Location: Arger Fen
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Wednesday 27th November - Tree Aftercare
Aftercare on recently planted trees will ensure this community woodland establishes quicker
Location: Jubilee Wood, Bures
Task Leader: Emma Black
Wednesday 4th December - Woodland Planting
Help plant a woodland at Tendring Hall as part of Repton’s landscape design
Location: Stoke by Nayland
Task Leader: Emma Black
Friday 6th December - tbc
Location: Arger Fen
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Wednesday 11th December - Hedge Planting
Help plant a native hedge on the recreation ground as part of a new wildlife area
Location: Glemsford
Task Leader: Emma Black
Wednesday 18th December - Coppicing/Dead Hedging
Coppicing creates a diverse habitat structure as more light means more undergrowth which is good for nightingales and dormice
Location: Assington Mill
Task Leader: Emma Black
Friday 20th December - Hedge Planting & Aftercare
Location: tbc
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Wednesday 18th December - Coppicing/Dead Hedging
Coppicing creates a diverse habitat structure as more light means more undergrowth which is good for nightingales and dormice
Location: Assington Mill
Task Leader: Emma Black
Wednesday 8th January - Hedge Planting
Plant a new hedge to connect habitat for dormice
Location: Alphamstone
Task Leader: Emma Black
Thursday 16th January - Coppicing & Dead Hedging
Coppicing and dead hedging to help manage the wood better for dormice
Location: Loshes Reserve
Task Leader: Emma Black
Wednesday 22nd January - Coppicing/Hedge Trimming
Coppice hazel & trim back hedge to create bushier growth for wildlife
Location: Tiger Hill Local Nature Reserve, Assington
Task Leader: Emma Black
Wednesday 29th January - Scrub Clearance
Clear ack scrub from a wildflower area and create habitat piles with the cut material
Location: East Town Park
Task Leader: Emma Black
Friday 31st January - Hedge Planting & Aftercare
Location: tbc
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Wednesday 5th February - Woodland Management
Help manage this ancient woodland for dormice and nightingales
Location: Arger Fen
Task Leader: Emma Black
Wednesday 12th February - Coppicing
Coppicing task to increase light into a new area of woodland. This will enable more plants to grow and provide better woodland structure.
Location: Tiger Hill, Assington
Task Leader: Emma Black
Friday 14th February - tbc
Location: tbc
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Wednesday 19th February - Coppicing
Coppice hazel stools to let light in and encourage more undergrowth for wildlife
Location: Loshes Nature Reserve, Henny
Task Leader: Emma Black
Wednesday 26th February - Pollarding at Black Poplar Nursery
Help manage this ancient woodland for dormice and nightingales
Location: Alphamstone
Task Leader: Emma Black
Friday 28th February - Giant Hogweed Control
Location: Shelley / Higham
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Wednesday 5th March - Coppicing
Coppice hazel to encourage ore undergrowth to grow at this community site.
Location: The Nuttery, Clare
Task Leader: Emma Black
Friday 14th March - Giant Hogweed Control
Location: Shelley / Higham
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Wednesday 19th March - Coppicing/Tree Tube Removal
Removing tubes & coppicing will create better habitat for wildlife in new woodland
Location: Peter's Vale, Twinstead
Task Leader: Emma Black
Friday 28th March - Giant Hogweed Control
Location: Shelley / Higham
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
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.