19 March 2008
New wildlife exhibition and book at Dartmoor Centre
A new wildlife exhibition has opened at Dartmoor National Park Authority’s High Moorland Visitor Centre, Princetown. The Wildlife of Dartmoor is based on the new book of the same name by Norman Baldock and John Walters. The exhibition shows some of the superb studies made by John Walters in more detail and a series of superb photographs by Charles Tyler. These reveal the secret lives of some of the wildlife of Dartmoor including cuckoos, adders, redstarts and bee hawkmoths. |  |
 | All the paintings and sketches were completed in the field. Although working directly from life presents many problems, such as bad weather, John enjoys the challenge and feels that the resulting work captures some of the life and vitality of the subjects which would be difficult to recreate in the studio. The book covers the range of habitats to be found in the National Park from the wild blanket bogs of the high moor, through ancient woodlands to the secret meadows of the farmland and shows the amazing variety of wildlife that can be found here. |
The authors have many years experience of Dartmoor wildlife, nevertheless it took four years to produce the text, photographs and illustrations needed for the book. The main element of this was spending time in the field, finding and studying the plants and animals through the seasons. Many of the images included in the book and exhibition are the result of an intense study of a particular place or species which has often spanned many years.
A series of free illustrated talks to accompany the exhibition will take place at the High Moorland Visitor Centre on Sunday 6 April, Thursday 10 April, and Sunday 4 May. All talks start at 2 pm and last one hour.
Signed copies of the book will be available at the High Moorland Visitor Centre during the exhibition.
The exhibition runs until 7 May 2008.
Ends
For further information
John Walters, Naturalist
Tel: (01364) 643916
Mike Nendick, Communications Officer, Dartmoor National Park Authority
Tel: (01626) 832093
Agendas for full Dartmoor National Park Authority meetings and Dartmoor National Park Authority planning meetings are available on the Authority's web site .
You can receive an e-mail notification each time a News Release is issued by the Dartmoor National Park Authority .
News Releases from all UK National Parks (external link, opens new window)
National Parks cover 10% of the land area of England, Wales and Scotland. They are of special value to the whole nation because of their great beauty, their wildlife and cultural interests and the opportunities they offer for quiet enjoyment. However, they are not nationally owned - the land is in the hands of many landowners or occupiers including farmers. Over 33,400 people live inside the Dartmoor National Park and many millions of visits are made to it each year.
For maps, guide books, trail guides, clothing and other Dartmoor merchandise visit Dartmoor National Park Authority’s Online Shop at www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk
Notes for Editors
The book The Wildlife of Dartmoor was published in January 2008. Copies are also available from John Walters priced at £20 (plus £2.50 postage and packing). For more information visit www.johnwalters.co.uk (external link, opens new window).
John Walters has been a lifelong naturalist. He grew up on Hayling Island in Hampshire and graduated from Falmouth School of Art and Design in 1991. After eight years as a graphic designer with Dartmoor National Park Authority he left to go freelance. This has included work for the BBC Natural History Unit on programmes including David Attenborough’s Life in the Undergrowth, Bill Oddie’s How to watch wildlife, Springwatch and the recent Natural World, Earth Pilgrim. His first book Devon - wildlife through the seasons was published by the Arlequin Press in 2000. He has also published The Rockpool Guide, a pocket-sized guide to the marine life of south-west England, The wildlife of Hayling Island and Minibeasts - an identification guide.
Norman Baldock was born in Widecombe-in-the-Moor and a fascination with wildlife that was apparent from a very early age has continued to develop ever since. He graduated in Zoology at Reading University and then worked for the Durham and Wiltshire Wildlife Trusts. He returned to Dartmoor in 1990 and is currently the Principal Ecologist with the Dartmoor National Park Authority.
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This page last updated 19 March 2008
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