People’s photography project to record impact of deadly tree disease
Published: 26 February 2021
People across Exeter are being invited to take part in a study to assess the effect of ash dieback disease on the landscape of the city.
Over the next few weeks fixed camera points are being installed in three locations across the city where ash dieback will have an impact.
Members of the public will be encouraged to take photographs from the fixed posts to capture Exeter’s changing landscape over the coming months and years. The pictures, will capture changes to the treescape and will help inform decisions about future plantings across the city.
The county-wide project has been launched by Saving Devon’s Treescapes –part of the Devon Wildlife Trust – working in partnership with local authorities such as Exeter City Council to mitigate the loss of trees caused by the deadly ash dieback disease. The project has already begun in East Devon https://edlp.org.uk/welcome-east-devon-landscape-photography
Posts are being installed at three of Exeter’s green open spaces with more positions being considered:
- Eastern Fields, Pinhoe
- Exwick Playing Fields
- Topsham Recreation Ground
All three posts will be mounted with a bracket, allowing people to take a photograph of the landscape with their camera phone and then send it to the project via email.
Cllr David Harvey, Lead Councillor for City Management, said: “Sadly, ash dieback is having a devastating affect on our trees, with around 90% of ash trees across the country being effected. In Exeter we are no different. However, we have set aside a budget for the replacement of trees taken as a result of ash dieback and will be planting new trees across the city.
“This valuable project will allow us to assess the impact of the loss of these trees and to evaluate where we plant trees in the future.”
Rosie Cotgreave, of Saving Devon’s Treescapes, said: “Ash Dieback is changing the way Devon looks but everyone can help to ensure we create new diverse and resilient treescapes. This citizen science project will allow us to monitor and understand the changes to the landscape and the impacts of wildlife. We wouldn’t be able to do this without the continued support from the public.”
More details of how to get involved will be made available over the coming weeks.