Robert Darch

 In 2020 Robert Darch was commissioned by the Devon Wildlife Trust and Beaford Arts to make an artistic response to Ash Dieback in Devon as part of The Saving Devon’s Treescapes Project. His ongoing work both acts as an archive of place, people and the changing landscape in Devon, whilst also reflecting on our impact on the the natural environment. The relationship between humans and the natural world feels like it is at a tipping point, with the Climate Crisis, Environmental Pollution and Ash Dieback all manifestations of our destructive presence on the earth. 

‘The spores of the fungus are carried on the wind, travelling for miles, silent and unseen looking for a host. They fall from the sky, first sticking to the leaves and then penetrating deep inside the tree. Once colonised, the fungus grows inside the tree blocking its water transport systems and eventually causing the tree to die. The Fungus which causes Ash Dieback originated in Asia where the native species are resistant to the disease. The first recorded case of the fungus in the UK was in 2006, having made its way to Europe on imported trees. Since then the disease has slowly been spreading and evidence of dieback can now be seen across Britain. However, we are only at the beginning of the epidemic and it is estimated that over the next ten to fifteen years Ash Dieback will eventually kill around 80% of the ash trees in the UK.’ 

The Ash Tree is one of the most common trees in the United Kingdom and their loss will be devastating for habitats and the 

natural environment. It is predicted to cost £15 billion to manage the dieback. The Saving Devon’s Treescapes Project is led by Devon Wildlife Trust on behalf on the Devon Ash Dieback Resilience Forum. It’s aim is to replant natice species to help offset the loss of Ash Trees and to engage and educate the public.

It is a partnership project supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, One Tree Planted and Tesco Bags of Help. Following on from the initial commission in 2020, the DWT is continuing to support Robert’s work for the length of the project which culminates in 2025. Selected images will form part of the Beaford Archive which contains over 80,000 images of Devon life.