What is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)?
An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is a nationally designated important landscape cared for by a Partnership, a team, and the thousands of people who live in, work in and visit it.
Dedham Vale was designated in 1970 with the purpose of conserving and enhancing the habitats and biodiversity. The Partnership and team provide a lead on key issues that affect its future, supporting and facilitating the work of others.

Wilder Together in the Stour Valley
Wilder Together is a partnership project that has been created between the Suffolk and Essex Wildlife Trusts, RSPB Flatford Wildlife Garden and the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and Stour Valley team.
The partnership has been established to support parish and town councils to work with their communities to create wildlife friendly villages and towns in the Dedham Vale and Stour Valley.

Weekend volunteering opportunities
We are delighted to offer weekend volunteering opportunities that are open to everyone. The next event is:
- Sunday 18th June – Pond Making and Litter Pick, Ipswich
If you are interested in nature, passionate about the environment, or just want to lend a hand, this is a fantastic opportunity to get some practical conservation experience and make a difference in the local area.
To register interest, please contact our Nature Recovery Officer, Alex Moore da Luz by email at alex.mooredaluz@suffolk.gov.uk or phone 07734 967782.

Dedham Vale & Stour Valley Forum 2023
The Dedham Vale & Stour Valley Forum is an annual event where anyone with an interest and passion for conserving and enhancing the area can come together to discuss a range of issues affecting the area.
The theme for the 2023 event is: A National Landscape fit for the 21st century?
The 2023 Dedham Vale & Stour Valley Forum will take place at the National Trust tearooms, Flatford on Thursday 14th September 2023. The event will take place from 6:00pm – 8:00pm, with an optional guided dark skies walk afterwards.