Practical Conservation Tasks
Volunteers help the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) staff team on conservation projects to increase the biodiversity within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and wider project areas.
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 AONB fulfil its commitment to the Colchester Declaration, which is the AONB network’s response to the biodiversity crisis.
For more information on any of the volunteering opportunities and roles within the AONB, please contact Countryside Project Officer Emma Black or AONB Nature Recovery Officer Alex Moore da Luz.
2023-24 Practical Conservation Volunteering Programme
Wednesday 22nd November - Coppicing
Help coppice willow to create dense low habitat for warblers.
Location: Foxearth Meadows LNR, Liston
Friday 1st December - Hazel Layering and Coppicing
Location: Arger Fen Nature Reserve, Bures
Wednesday 6th December - Hedge Planting
Help plant hedgerows as part of the Hedgerow Heroes Project.
Location: tbc
Wednesday 13th December - Coppicing / Dead Hedging
Coppicing trees will create a more diverse habitat structure for nightingales.
Location: Assington Mill
Friday 15th December - Tree Planting
Location: Dairy Farm, Semer
Wednesday 3rd January - Hedgelaying
Work with local wildlife group to lay new hedge to create wildlife corridor.
Location: Steeple Bumpstead
Friday 5th January - Stag Beetle Pyramid Building
Location: East Bergholt
Friday 12th January - Tree Planting
Location: Diary Farm, Ash Street
Wednesday 17th January - Coppicing / Hedge Trimming
Coppice hazel & trim back willow to create bushier growth for wildlife.
Location: Tiger Hill, LNR
Friday 26th January - tbc
Location: Tiger Hill, Assington
Wednesday 31st January - Hedge Planting
Help plant hedgerows as part of the Hedgerow Heroes Project.
Location: tbc
Wednesday 7th February - Coppicing / Layering
Help manage this ancient woodland for dormice and nightingales.
Location: Arger Fen
Friday 9th February - tbc
Location: Tiger Hill, Assington
Wednesday 14th February - Coppicing
Coppice hazel stools to let light in and encourage more undergrowth for dormice.
Location: Loshes Nature Reserve, Henny
Wednesday 28th February - Pollarding
Pollard parent trees and strike rods to create new black poplar saplings.
Location: Black Poplar Nursery, Alphamstone
Friday 1st March - Giant Hogweed Control
Location: Giffords Hall, Higham
Wednesday 6th March - Coppicing
Coppice hazel to encourage more undergrowth to grow at this community site.
Location: The Nuttery, Clare
Wednesday 13th March - Coppicing / Free the Trees
Coppicing & removing plastic tree tubes will help this wet wood regenerate
Location: Peter's Vale, Twinstead
Friday 15th March - Giant Hogweed Control
Location: Giffords Hall, Higham
Wednesday 27th March - Various Tasks
Variety of habitat management tasks to help bring more wildlife into the park.
Location: Clare Castle Country Park
Friday 5th April - Giant Hogweed Control
Location: River Brett