West Deben Biodiversity Action Plan
Welcome
The countryside, rivers, marshes, pastures and grasslands, hedgerows, woodlands, and wildlife of our communities matter deeply to us and since you’ve found your way here, they probably matter to you too.
This project is not only about nature recovery. It is also about people: the people who live here, walk here, volunteer here, and care about the future of our environment. We would love to hear about you, your interests, your observations, your local knowledge, and the things you value most about nature in our area.
Who We Are
The West Deben Cluster Group is an environmental partnership made up of five parishes:
• Brightwell
• Hemley
• Martlesham
• Newbourne
• Waldringfield
We are a mixture of parish councillors, volunteers, and environmental campaigners who care deeply about nature, biodiversity, and the future of our local environment.
Together, we work to support wildlife, improve habitats, encourage community involvement, and help our parishes respond positively to environmental challenges.
The West Deben Cluster Group launched the West Deben Biodiversity Action Plan as a collaborative citizen science initiative focused on understanding, protecting, and restoring nature across our local landscape.
Using the Greener Waldringfield website as our base, the project brings together residents, schools, landowners, community groups, and volunteers to record wildlife, monitor habitats, and share environmental knowledge.
Every observation helps build a clearer picture of the health of nature across the Five Parishes.
Citizen Science With Community at Its Heart
You do not need to be an expert to take part.
Citizen science works because local people notice things. You may already know where swifts return each spring, which ponds support frogs and dragonflies, or which hedgerows are richest in wildlife. These observations are incredibly valuable.
We want this project to be welcoming, practical, and collaborative, a space where curiosity, care for nature, and local knowledge come together.
Nature recovery is something we can only achieve together by our understanding and our actions. Hence the ambition to have a coordinated action plan.
By sharing observations, knowledge, and enthusiasm, we can create a stronger understanding of our local environment and help ensure that future generations inherit thriving landscapes rich in wildlife.
Tell Us About You
Thank you for taking an interest in the West Deben Biodiversity Action Plan. We would love to learn more about the people taking part, your interests, experience, observations, and the ways you would like to be involved.
You do not need to be an expert in wildlife or conservation. Whether you are simply curious about nature, enjoy walking locally, or already take part in environmental activities, your knowledge and perspective are valuable.
Please tell us a little about yourself:
• Your name
• Which parish you live in
• Your interests in nature or the environment
• Any local wildlife knowledge or observations you may have
• Skills, experience, or hobbies you would like to share
• Whether you would like to volunteer or take part in surveys and events
Areas of Interest
Please select any areas that interest you:
Wildlife & Nature
• Birds
• Mammals
• Insects & pollinators
• Wildflowers & plants
• Trees & hedgerows
• Rivers, ponds & wetlands
• Marine & estuary plants / wildlife
• Fungi & lichens
Community Activities
• Citizen science surveys
• Wildlife recording
• Habitat restoration
• Tree planting
• Litter picking
• Footpath & access projects
• Educational activities
• School & youth projects
Skills & Experience
• Photography
• Mapping & GIS
• Data recording
• Gardening
• Farming & land management
• Ecology or conservation knowledge
• Event organisation
• Fundraising & communications
How Would You Like to Get Involved?
We would also like to know if you are interested in:
• Receiving project updates
• Joining local events or walks
• Helping with surveys and monitoring
• Volunteering for practical conservation work
• Sharing local history or environmental knowledge
• Supporting future nature recovery projects
Community Knowledge Matters
Many of the best environmental observations come from people who simply spend time outdoors and notice changes over the years.
Your experiences, memories, and observations can help us better understand and protect the landscapes and wildlife of Brightwell, Hemley, Martlesham, Newbourne, and Waldringfield.
Thank you for being part of the West Deben Biodiversity Action Plan.
FIND OUT MORE: (links)
Local nature recovery strategy
Suffolk action plan
Suffolk wildlife trust
Coast & heaths national landscape