Greetings from the Coast & Heaths

Jason Alexander has been named the winner of the David Wood National Landscape Award in the Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty for 2022-23.

Jason was nominated for his outstanding achievements in tackling litter, recycling, and waste, all of which are extremely harmful to wildlife and nature, as well as impacting upon the natural beauty of the area.

Over the past 12 months Jason has been involved with more than 300 litter picks and beach cleans, filling 900 bags along with his fellow Rubbish Walk volunteers. In addition to his work, Jason’s passion has inspired many others across Suffolk to join him, and he has led groups in several locations in the Coast & Heaths.

Looking for volunteering opportunites for young people interested in nature and the environment?

The Coast & Vale Youth Rangers is a free volunteer group for young people aged 13-18 who are interested in gaining hands-on skills and experience in conservation and environmental work.

Sessions usually take place outdoors on the first Sunday morning of each month at various green spaces on the Suffolk and Essex border. Activities are varied and include practical conservation work, wildlife surveys, beach cleans, community tasks, bushcraft and outdoor pursuits.

As part of the Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’s efforts to improve access to the natural environment, a number of initiatives are planned to ensure the landscape is for everyone.

During March, two successful day trips out to Wrabness took place in conjunction with the Essex and South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership and the Refugee, Asylum seeker & Migrant Action Group, funded by the Essex County Council Path to Prosperity project. 

Within the Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, four historic foot ferries provide a vital service and unique experiences out on the rivers and estuaries.

Foot ferry services operate seasonally in Butley, Felixstowe Ferry, Walberswick and Harwich and give you a low-cost glimpse of life out on the water and transport for those on two wheels, two legs or four!

Spring is here and we are very excited for your photos to help us capture the changing of the seasons across the Coast & Heaths through our Landscape Lens project.

There are 15 fixed-point photography posts located across the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, from Walberswick in the north to Wrabness and Mistley in the south.

You can find your nearest photo post on our website. As always, two of our favourite submissions are included below.

It's back again for 2023! This year’s Suffolk Walking Festival’s 16-day programme offers over 70 delightful walks over 350 miles across Suffolk’s beautiful landscapes. 

The festival kicks off at Thornham Walks on Saturday 13th May with refreshments and five launch jaunts. It then runs every day until 28th May. Tickets are on sale now, with more details of the programme available online.