Dedham Vale AONB & Stour Valley Project
Bridge Cottage Env Agency James Fletcher cut

The Stour Valley Volunteers (SVV) carry out practical conservation work every other Wednesday throughout the Stour Valley.

The Project minibus picks up volunteers from Roy's supermarket car park in Sudbury at 9.30 am and returns at 3.30 pm–4.00 pm.

Work is carried out throughout the Stour Valley on nature reserves and on private land. The tasks are designed to improve the environment for wildlife, increase recreation opportunities, and enhance the landscape quality.

The work for the groups over the next few months is listed below:

6th October   Scrub Clearance - Alphamstone
Help clear encroaching vegetation from valuable acid grassland at this beautiful spot in the Stour Valley.

20th October  Scrub and river clearance - Monks Farm, Dedham
Clearing the overhanging branches and trees will let more light into the ponds, Black Brook and footpath so encouraging wildflowers to grow.  Habitat piles and stag beetle pyramids will be made with the brash and wood.

3rd November  Autumn tidy up - Hornestreet Field, Langham
At our annual visit to this community site, we'll be raking grassland, clearing the pond and other maintenance tasks.

17th November  Ride clearance - Arger Fen, Assington
Help clear rides of overgrown bramble so light reaches the woodland floor and encourages spring flowers to grow such as primrose.

1st December  Sycamore clearance - Ryes School, Henny 
Felling sycamore in this ancient woodland will allow more light to the ground for wildflowers and other native shrubs to grow. 

15th December   Conifer felling - Assington Mill, Assington
Last task of 2010!  Help thin out the conifers to encourage native tree species and woodland flora.  Round off the day by enjoying festive fare provided by the project.

2nd February 2011   Coppicing - Cornard Country Park, Cornard
Join the Sudbury Common Lands volunteers on a coppicing task at Cornard Country Park.

Further Spring 2011 tasks to be confirmed shortly.

For further information please contact Emma Black, Community Officer T: 01473 264272 emma.black@suffolk.gov.uk     

The National Trust, British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, Essex Wildlife Trust, and Suffolk Wildlife Trust also provide other opportunities for practical conservation work within the Stour Valley.