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Suffolk Coast

An amazing place for people Our work so far and for wildlife Through the AONB Partnership, we’re The spectacular, wildlife-rich landscape working together with local councils, the of the Coast is recognised by its Forestry Commission, the National Trust designation as the Suffolk Coast and and the Suffolk Wildlife Trust to open areas Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural of heathland and bring woodland back to Beauty (AONB). Its historic sandy heaths, life. This will benefit an array of wildlife, shingle beaches and extensive grazing including mysterious nocturnal nightjars; marshes have been enjoyed by residents melodic woodlarks and nightingales; and and visitors for centuries, while its beautiful silver-studded blue butterflies. internationally-famous nature reserves, including RSPB and the At Snape, we’re also working together National Trust’s Orford Ness National with the Environment Agency to protect Nature Reserve (NNR), have placed it one of Suffolk’s most-loved birds from the firmly on the map. increasing risk of saltwater flooding as a Nightjar result of sea-level rise. Bitterns are one The Suffolk Coast has five striking coastal of our most charismatic species, and they estuaries – the Blyth, Alde-Ore, Deben, can often be heard “booming” from their Orwell and Stour, which are bursting with wetland homes during the spring months. DECLINESuffolk sandlings of nutrients and food making them a vital They share this precious habitat with the Capercaillie place for birds and other wildlife. But many other species, and it is vital that The Suffolk Sandlings is a unique this area is a haven for people too. we combat this threat. We have big plans Capercaillielandscape of are heaths woodland and open grouse, Unsurprisingly, this stunning landscape to create 80 hectares of new wetland, confinedgrassland toon shallownative pine sandy forest soils. and supports a valuable tourism sector where including reedbed and , to someSadly onlycommercial fragments conifer of this wild half of all day visits are to the countryside. provide a brighter future and safer homes plantations.and historic landscapeTheir needs remain, are not RSPB Minsmere alone contributes over for these beautiful creatures. straightforwardwhere people can as explorethey require and vast 100 full-time jobs. expansesrelax. These of areassuitable are habitat. now refuges Males Working jointly with the National Trust, arefor churringblack, huge nightjars, and unmistakable, stone-curlews This landscape is also known for its and with EU LIFE+ funding, we’ve especiallyand many rareso when insects, they making gather this to high-quality food production, which not improved conditions for wildlife at Orford performarea an important their mating stronghold ritual at for only underpins Suffolk’s thriving food Ness and through the traditionalheathland wildlife.lek sites. Lowland They spend a lot industry, but provides essential homes for Alde-Ore Future for Wildlife project. We’re ofheathland time feeding is rare; on only blaeberries 8% of the on nature too. We are working closely with also working closely with the Forestry theoriginal ground, extent but present may also in thebe found1800s farmers on the Suffolk Coast to provide Commission at Tunstall, Rendlesham and inremains trees, today.feeding At on Minsmere pine needles. we’re targeted advice on delivering more space Dunwich Forests to slowly change areas of Theworking UK capercaillieon a landscape population scale to and for declining farmland birds, insects and conifer plantation to Sandlings heathland, rangerecreate has heaths declined and rapidly, open grassland and the mammals without impacting on the needs while preserving older native trees. This specieson former is arablenow at land. risk ofWe’re extinction. also of their businesses. The vision goes will benefit nightjars, adders, silver-studded Conservationworking in partnership and restoration to restore of the old beyond saving species; we understand that blue butterflies and many bee species. By habitatheathland is essential sites to their if they former are to glory this landscape is also at the heart of the working together we can deliver benefits thriveand safeguard once more. them for the future. local economy and communities of Suffolk. for wildlife on a much larger scale. KEY main road Futurescape area Special Protection Area Special Area of Conservation

Darsham

Saxmundham Suffolk Coast Snape “ The Suffolk Coast is an area well known for its incredible wildlife Produced by RSPB CDMU © Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. RSPB licence 100021787 and cultural assets. It supports Rendlesham tourism, with wildlife watching being a key draw for visitors, but it is also important for agriculture Orford and energy production. Conserving Melton and enhancing such a large area is a real challenge. The AONB Partnership will support the RSPB and others to work at a landscape scale to deliver benefits for local wildlife, businesses and communities.” Nick Collinson, Environment Manningtree Harwich Manager, Suffolk County Council Mistley

What’s next? Get in touch Focusing on small pockets of land isn’t enough. We need to Let’s work together to achieve the vision of a healthy Suffolk work together to take on bigger, landscape-scale projects Coast landscape, abundant with wildlife and with prosperous to build more homes for nature and create real benefits for local communities. To get involved in your local area, get in both people and wildlife. We’re working with local businesses, touch with us or visit our website: such as utility companies, to help develop local services and rspb.org.uk/futurescapes/suffolkcoast reduce the impacts they have on the natural world; schools and local authorities to improve children’s connection to Suffolk Coast Area Manager nature and help create the custodians of the future; and local Ben McFarland communities to help people take the small steps that make T 01728 648780 a big difference, from planting flowers to building nest boxes. E [email protected]

Together, we can create a wildlife-rich corridor throughout the Suffolk Coast landscape, ensuring the future of our wildlife for generations to come.

The Suffolk Coast Futurescapes project is kindly Natura 2000 – Europe’s Futurescapes is The RSPB is a member supported by: nature for you. We are generously supported of BirdLife International, working together across the by the EU Life+ a partnership of conservation EU to safeguard Europe’s rich Communications organisations working to give and diverse natural heritage Programme nature a home around the world for the benefit of all

Futurescapes is the RSPB’s contribution to landscape-scale conservation throughout the UK. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654. Images: nightjar by David Tipling (rspb-images.com) and Dunwich Beach by Debxan (fotolia.com). Maps produced by RSPB CDMU © Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. RSPB licence 100021787. 020-1-1233-13-14