New exhibition explores Dartmoor’s future at Museum of Dartmoor Life

A new exhibition exploring the challenges facing Dartmoor’s landscape and biodiversity is set to open at the Museum of Dartmoor Life on 17 March.

The exhibition, funded by The Royal Society’s Places of Science project, provides a neutral space for community partners to share their perspectives on the changes affecting Dartmoor, as well as their efforts to protect and restore its environment.

Dartmoor is recognised for its rich history and unique ecosystem, but reports suggest that nearly 80 per cent of its Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) have been given an ‘unfavourable status.’ 

The exhibition comes as 2025 marks 30 years since the UK published its first biodiversity action plan, aimed at unifying conservation efforts across the country.

Community partners were invited to contribute to the exhibition by answering three key questions: ‘Is Dartmoor dying?’, ‘What are you doing to save it?’, and ‘How can the public help?’.

Their responses are displayed on boards throughout the exhibition space, with additional replies presented as letters.

The exhibition also showcases a community artwork titled ‘Shroud for Mother Nature,’ created in collaboration with woollen shroud maker Yuli Somme. 

The project involved six groups of needle-felting beginners and members of the wider community. 

The resulting piece depicts a Dartmoor landscape, featuring its endangered species and diverse habitats. 

The shroud symbolises the natural cycle of life and death, highlighting the importance of both in the ecosystem.

Visitors will have the opportunity to share their thoughts by completing a survey on whether they believe Dartmoor is dying. 

They can also leave comments on the three exhibition questions and pledge volunteer hours to conservation groups working in the area.

Museum manager and curator Kristy Turner said: “We hope visitors will be inspired to find out more about looking after this beautiful and important landscape, and will support Dartmoor’s people, enjoy its traditions and play their part in protecting it. This provocative title has made people stop and think but it is not an exhibition full of doom and gloom, quite the opposite in fact, and I am sure everyone who sees it will be motivated to help and full of hope for Dartmoor’s future.”