High Alert installation takes public art into the woods
Communications officer
The Woodland Trust Northern Ireland is hosting a public art exhibition by Rob Hilken at three of its sites in August and September.
Visual artist Rob will install the 'High Alert' series in some of the conservation charity's sites across Northern Ireland. The art exhibition will also be launched as part of the Golden Thread Gallery's reopening in Belfast on Saturday 10 August.
'High Alert' is raising awareness of the Woodland Trust's core aims to create new native woodland, protect existing trees and restore ancient woodland. The sites chosen for Rob's exhibition fittingly demonstrate how the Woodland Trust is doing just that across Northern Ireland.
Additionally, by combining Rob's love of both woodlands and art, the installation will highlight the health benefits of getting out into nature.
Lynsey Nixon - communications, engagement and volunteer manager for the Woodland Trust Northern Ireland - said:
"We're delighted that Rob has chosen to bring his public art into the Woodland Trust woods. We hope that the installation will bring something fresh to our regular visitors and attract new curious visitors to our woods, which are free for everyone to enjoy."
Artist Rob Hilken commented:
"I have been a member of the Woodland Trust for 18 years as I respect their core values and I wanted to bring public awareness to their work across Northern Ireland. Trees and woods have so many benefits for people, nature and climate. I hope my installation will merge audiences of art and nature, bringing them from the gallery to the woods, and vice versa, and shine a light on the wonderful work of this conservation charity."
Estate manager for the Woodland Trust Northern Ireland Dave Scott said:
"Northern Ireland is the least wooded region in the UK and Ireland and in Europe, with less than 9% tree cover. Northern Ireland also ranks as the 12th worst area for biodiversity loss in a survey of 240 countries. The urgency for the work of the Woodland Trust in Northern Ireland has never been greater, so we must plant more trees and protect and restore our existing trees and woods."
You can visit Rob's installation at the following woodland sites over three weekends in August and September.
Glas-na-Bradan Wood, 16-18 August
Find the 'High Alert' installation at the salmon ford and along the trail to the top of the hill.
Glas-na-Bradan Wood is a perfect example of a new native 57-hectare woodland, made up of almost 150,000 native trees planted by hand by the local community. The native trees are a mix of oak, Scots pine, rowan, birch and alder.
The Faughan Valley Woodlands, 29 August-2 September
Search for Rob’s 'High Alert' installation at Oaks Wood and at the amphitheatre at Brackfield Wood.
The Woodland Trust has been protecting pockets of ancient woodland in the Faughan Valley for almost 25 years. In August 2023, the conservation charity realised its vision of reconnecting these fragile fragments into the Faughan Valley Woodlands, creating corridors for wildlife and greater access to the public.
Mourne Park, 13-15 September
Look for Rob's 'High Alert' installation along the Whitewater River.
The Woodland Trust Northern Ireland looks after 188 hectares of Mourne Park, including 73 hectares of precious ancient woodland. The conservation charity is in the process of restoring the ancient woodland by removing invasive species such as rhododendron, to allow the trees to naturally flourish and to build upon its vision of creating a publicly accessible wood, which it achieved in August 2022.
Notes to editors
For more details on this release contact Glynis Watt in the Woodland Trust press office on 07785316746 or glyniswatt@woodlandtrust.org.uk.
About the Woodland Trust
The Woodland Trust was established in 1972 and is now the UK's largest woodland conservation charity, with more than 500,000 members and supporters.
With a vision of a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature, today the Trust owns and cares for more than 1,000 woodland sites, covering around 33,000 hectares.
The Woodland Trust has three key aims:
- protecting the UK's rare, unique and irreplaceable ancient woodland
- restoring damaged ancient woodland, nurturing precious pieces of our natural heritage back to life
- establishing new native trees and woods to create healthy, resilient landscapes for people and wildlife.
Access to all Woodland Trust woods is free so everyone can experience the physical and mental benefits of trees.