Celebrating national landscape heroes

Each year, awards are presented to individuals, organisations or community groups that have made an outstanding contribution to the Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape and the Dedham Vale National Landscape.

As well as recognising the amazing work from so many unsung heroes, the awards also aim to inspire others to get involved and protect our outstanding landscape, wildlife, heritage and culture that make the area so special.

Anyone can make a nomination online, with all nominees then being put forward for consideration by the judging panel. Find details of the two awards available below.

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Robert Erith National Landscape Award

The award is named after Robert Erith BEM TD DL, the former Chairman of the Dedham Vale National Landscape and Stour Valley Partnership, a lifelong advocate for the special landscape.

This award aims to recognise and highlight the achievements of individuals, groups and organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to conserving and enhancing the Dedham Vale National Landscape and wider Stour Valley. Only nominees whose achievements and actions have taken place within the Dedham Vale National Landscape boundary will be considered.

Award winners will receive a framed copy of a linocut print created by local artist, Jem Seeley, and produced by Drab Ltd featuring the Dedham Vale National Landscape’s iconic species, the Hazel Dormouse

Nominations for the 2025 award are open until 31 May 2025 and the winner will be announced in the summer. You can find out more and nominate at dedhamvale-NL.org.uk/awards.

David Wood National Landscape Award

The award is named after David Wood, who served as Chairman of the Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape for more than 20 years and was instrumental in securing the historic extension of the National Landscape to include the Stour Estuary in Essex in 2020.

This award aims to recognise and highlight the achievements of individuals, groups and organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to conserving and enhancing the Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape. Only nominees whose achievements and actions have taken place within the Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape boundary will be considered.

Award winners will receive a framed copy of a linocut print created by local artist, Jem Seeley, and produced by Drab Ltd featuring the National Landscape’s iconic species, the Redshank.

Nominations for the 2025 award are open until 31 May 2025 and the winner will be announced in the summer. You can find out more and nominate at coastandheaths-NL.org.uk/awards.