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New film highlights ‘fragile, threatened beauty’ of Devon’s rivers

Devon Wildlife Trust has released a new film which focusses on the threats facing the South West’s beautiful rivers and streams.
European otter swimming in a river

Photo, Andy Rouse/2020VISION

The short film is being released by Devon Wildlife Trust as part of its campaigning efforts to highlight the fragile, threatened beauty of local watercourses and the nature that they support.

Devon Wildlife Trust’s Chief Executive Harry Barton said:

“Our rivers are a basic building block of life for countless species, from tiny mayflies to salmon, otters and kingfishers. They provide us with beauty, places for recreation and sources of water for drinking and for growing our food. Yet, many of our rivers are in poor shape. Today just 14% of the UK’s rivers and streams are judged to be of ‘good ecological status’.

Here in Devon our watercourses suffer from plastic pollution, pollution from our sewers and from our fields. This film will bring these issues to people’s attention and raise the profile of the work that we and others are doing to return rivers to a good state for people and wildlife.”

The film was made by leading international film-makers All Mighty Pictures. The production company focusses on creating and producing advertising content for environmental, wildlife and animal welfare organisations including WWF (Worldwide Fund for Nature), World Animal Protection and the National Trust.

The new film was shot in Devon during 2020 on the rivers Dart and Otter and features species including beavers and common frogs, as well as breathtaking images of life and landscape along these iconic rivers.

With the enormous loss of wildlife we see reported across the planet it can be easy to miss the challenges we face on our own doorstep.
Mark Harbour
All Mighty Pictures
Freshwater pearl mussel in a river bed

Freshwater pearl mussel. Photo, Linda Pitkin/2020VISION

The Creative Director of All Mighty Pictures is Chagford-based Mark Harbour. Explaining the motivation to help Devon Wildlife Trust, Mark said:

“With the enormous loss of wildlife we see reported across the planet it can be easy to miss the challenges we face on our own doorstep. However, from pollution to habitat loss, wildlife in the UK is struggling. We are one of the most nature denuded countries on earth. But thanks to the tireless efforts of organisations like the Devon Wildlife Trust, there is hope that nature can survive and potentially thrive. We wanted to support their fantastic work to protect, promote and restore wildlife and its habitats.”

Devon Wildlife Trust plans to use the film as a campaign and education tool in its work for Devon’s rivers. The charity’s Steve Hussey said:

“We’re proud of our track record in the work to clean up Devon’s rivers and streams. Existing initiatives including our Working Wetlands project and Torridge River Restoration Project are already working with local communities addressing practical issues such as riverbank stabilisation and reducing diffuse ‘run-off’ pollution from land. In the space of just 60 seconds, this stunning film is helping to share the importance of cleaner rivers for nature and human health.”

The film is available to see for free at Devon Wildlife Trust’s YouTube channel.

Support our work for Devon's river and wetland wildlife.