A creative commission by The Nature Doodles Collective for
Devon Wildlife Trust and Pine Martens Bounce Back
In green spaces within the rural towns of Bovey Tracey and Minehead, we joined communities to imagine ourselves in the wild, wooded landscapes that are home to Pine Martens, celebrating their return to the landscape thanks to the Pine Marten Bounceback project.
“Such an amazing experience – a true mix of things I would never have done – unforgettable!”
(Participant)
Each session began with a Bimble – a short, slow walk in which we walk, talk, stop and start but we don’t go far. We tasted the flavours of the season, and noticed the berries, the nuts, the birds and the mammals that might provide our Pine Martens with their feast … drawing connections between species introduced, departed and returning, and the role of Pine Martens in balancing the ecosystem. We remembered the landscape in our earlier lives, imagined it in the deep past and dreamed of how we’d like to see it in the future. Just as Pine Martens are solitary, playful creatures, we took a moment of solitude to play – to close our eyes and listen, and with willow charcoal on natural-dyed fabric, to make marks that echoed the sounds we heard.
“The whole experience of using my senses and of being out in nature and connecting with nature … thank you.”
(Participant)
In the second part of the session, we returned to base to assemble
fragments of our experience into ephemeral, whimsical textile pieces.
We encapsulated thoughts that had emerged during our walk into phrases
on the typewriter and scribbled notes and quotes onto paper scraps. And, with our sound drawings, fabric scraps and a spirit of creative play, we took to the hand cranked sewing machines. For some, the sewing machines and typewriters were an absolute first; for others, long dormant knowledge surfaced as the machines rattled across the fabric.
“I struggle to focus and listen but that was really powerful.”
(Participant)
Holding workshops for adults on a weekday aimed to support attendance for people who can’t easily make it out into the moors, for example with mobility or other health issues. This was definitely apparent with participants in Bovey Tracy and, to an extent, in the afternoon session in Minehead. However, it can take time for this demographic to build the confidence to attend such a workshop. All participants travelled from outside the host community (Exeter, Taunton, Tiverton, for example) to attend the event.
This project prompted reflection on who classifies as ‘new to nature’. Those who joined the events arrived with an existing appreciation for nature, but at best had a flimsy sense of what a pine marten is and knew nothing about their habits. They were thirsty for information about Pine Martens and broader themes affecting our landscape, and appreciative to join like minded people without an expectation or assumption of deeper expertise.
“I remember fields of clover … bugs on the windscreen … the rarity of the magpie.”
(Participant)
What did participants say?
Both oral and written feedback from the sessions were universally positive, drawing attention to three key themes:
Nature Connection: The sessions offered space, time and inspiration for ways to connect with nature using different senses, and to learn about Pine Martens and how they fit into the landscape – “Pine Martens (I didn’t know a lot about them before at all)”
Creativity: Participants really enjoyed using hand cranked sewing machines and type writers, and valued bringing the craft experience into the outdoors – “Sewing! Never really connected craft and the outdoors”
People: Participants valued the occasion to meet like minded people, to share experiences and memories and connect through mutual enjoyment of the outdoors – “Spending time with other people who enjoy being
outside and creating things”
Many thanks to Devon Wildlife Trust and in particular the Pine Martens Bounce Back team for the opportunity, support and expertise, and Libraries Unlimited for their support.
The Nature Doodles Project 