Welcome to our latest update from the Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Spring is finally here and there are so many ways for you to get involved in your local area this month.
From walks to volunteering, photography to community funding, ferry rides and wildlife projects, there's something for everyone - but if not, simply sit back and read our brand new newspaper from the comfort of your own home!
2023 Award Winner Announced
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.
Our brand new, free newspaper is out now! Packed full with walking guides, maps, wildlife and nature news, information about our special landscape, and much more!
You can pick up a copy at hundreds of locations across the Coast & Heaths, or alternatively you can read it online now from the comfort of your own home.
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.
The Sustainable Development Fund grant scheme is open now for applications. Do you have an idea for an environmental project that needs funding? Apply for a grant up to £5,000!
Previous examples of projects funded include art workshops for people with mental illness, new fencing and gates for nature and wildlife reserves, rural training for young people, as well as visitor information at well-known landmarks in the area.
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.
Longer days and blue skies appearing at Orford Quay
Suffolk Walking Festival
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.
Spring is a vital time for ground nesting birds. Disturbing nesting birds can prevent them from settling, or they'll fly away & neglect their eggs or chicks.
When exploring the Coast & Heaths, please stick to marked paths and keep dogs off mudflats when near rivers. Thank you.
Watch our video all about the Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
The Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is a distinctive area of nationally significant countryside, towns and villages in East Suffolk and North Essex, stretching from Kessingland, in the north, to near Harwich in the south.
To help highlight this stunning part of the country, and explain the work of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that takes place to conserve and enhance the landscape, a new short film has been produced featuring breathtaking drone footage and much more!
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