Practical Conservation Tasks
Volunteers help the Dedham Vale National Landscape staff team on conservation projects to improve habitats for wildlife 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.
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
- Wildlife 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 our commitment to improving wildlife in the National Landscape.
You can view the role profile for our Practical Conservation volunteers (PDF).
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.
2026 Practical Conservation Volunteering Programme
Friday 13th March - Giant Hogweed Control
Location: Higham
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Wednesday 18th March - Hedge Aftercare/ Gapping up
Doing some tree aftercare on a recently planted hedge will ensure it thrives.
Location: Alphamstone
Task Leader: Emma Black
Wednesday 25th March - Dead Hedging
Location: Assington Mill
Task Leader: Emma Black
Friday 27th March - Giant Hogweed Control
Location: Higham
Task Leader: Alex Moore da Luz
Wednesday 1st April - Black Poplar Nursery
Location: Alphamstone
Task Leader: Emma Black
Wednesday 15th April - Building Coppice Tree Guards
Location: Twinstead
Task Leader: Emma Black
Wednesday 29th April - Tools Maintenance
Location: Ipswich
Task Leader: Emma Black
Wednesday 13th May - Hedge Aftercare
Location: East Bergholt
Task Leader: Emma Black
Wednesday 20th May - Tree Protection
Location: Dedham
Task Leader: Emma Black
Wednesday 27th May - Hedge Aftercare
Location: Upper Common, Clare
Task Leader: Emma Black
Wednesday 3rd June - Summer Visit
Location: tbc
Task Leader: Emma Black
Wednesday 24th June - Path /Ditch Clearance
Location: Loshes Reserve, Henny
Task Leader: Emma Black
Wednesday 15th July - Meadow Cut & Rake/ Himalayan Balsam Pulling
Location: Daws Hall
Task Leader: Emma Black
Wednesday 22nd July - Bracken Removal
Location: Tiger Hill, Assington
Task Leader: Emma Black
Wednesday 29th July - Sedge Cutting
Location: Foxearth Meadows LNR
Task Leader: Emma Black
Wednesday 5th August - Wildflower Patch Cut and Rake
Location: Steeple Bumpstead
Task Leader: Emma Black
Wednesday 19th August Wet Meadow Management
Location: Rum Bridge Fisheries, Clare
Task Leader: Emma Black
Wednesday 26th August - Grassland Management
Location: Long Melford Green CWS
Task Leader: Emma Black
Wednesday 2nd September - Meadow Management
Location: Harpers Hill, Nayland
Task Leader: Emma Black
Wednesday 9th September - Green Lane Management
Location: Buntry Lane, Kedington
Task Leader: Emma Black
Wednesday 16th September - Cut and Rake
Location: Melford Country Park
Task Leader: Emma Black
Wednesday 30th September - Meadow Management
Location: Coes Meadow, Bulmer
Task Leader: Emma Black
Wednesday 7th October - Grassland Management
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.