Natural Connections

Dedham Vale and Coast & Heaths Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) conserve and enhance natural beauty for everyone in Suffolk and North Essex. Our work aims to connect people to our region’s special protected landscapes, so that communities, visitors, and future generations can all feel the benefits of engaging with the natural world.

Our ‘Natural Connections’ group run in both Coast & Heaths AONB and Dedham Vale AONB, supporting people to improve their wellbeing by connecting with our beautiful, protected landscapes. Participants undertake light conservation tasks such as tree care, footpath maintenance and invasive species control; improve their wildlife ID skills; and are led on short walks around local nature reserves.

Natural Connection groups are small and inclusive and can link participants with further volunteering and activities within the AONB. The programme runs between September and March every year, with ad-hoc activities available in the summer months.