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.