Devon's treescapes are stunning and crucial habitats for so much wildlife. But they are under threat from ash dieback which is estimated to kill at least 90% of Devon’s ash trees in the coming years. It will affect everyone, but everyone can be part of the solution.
Beaford is proud to be a part of the ‘Saving Devon’s Treescapes’ partnership, led by Devon Wildlife Trust on behalf of the Devon Ash Dieback Resilience Forum. The partnership aims to mitigate the impact of ash dieback and other threats to our county’s treasured treescapes.
Ash dieback in Devon will become increasingly visible over the next nine months and will continue for many years - up to two million trees will be lost. In response, the partnership, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, will inspire and enable people to take action that protects and restores our internationally renowned treescapes. It will work directly with over 45,000 people and support the planting of at least 250,000 new trees.
Beaford photographic commision
Beaford, on behalf of the partnership, has commissioned photographer Robert Darch to record ash dieback’s impacts in the broadest sense, drawing on the spirit of rural social documentary photography pioneered by James Ravilious for the Beaford Archive.
Over the last eight months Robert has been capturing images of the changing landscapes across Devon due to ash dieback. Here we have compiled a small selection of his North Devon images - For more information about Robert Darch and an extensive gallery of images from this commission visit his website.
North Devon Link Road Felling
North Devon Ash Treescapes
Exmoor Lorna Doone Valley Felling
Planting seeds and laying hedges
Exmoor Watersmeet Felling
Visit Robert Darch’s website
Robert Darch - Portrait by Tavis Amosford
“This last year has shown us that the relationship between humans and the natural world feels like it is at a tipping point, with the Climate Crisis, Environmental Pollution, Covid and Ash Dieback all manifestations of our destructive presence on the earth.”
