River Where The Oak Trees Grow

PHOTOGRAPHY

Feb 26

Flowing through ancient woodlands and temperate rainforests, the River Dart is both a place of beauty and a fragile ecosystem under threat. Photographer Emma Stoner began documenting the river in 2022 as part of a commission. Since then, the project has evolved into a personal exploration of the Dart’s landscapes and communities, highlighting its natural beauty while raising awareness of the environmental challenges it faces.

Photography Emma Stoner

Dart or ‘Darant’ (meaning Oak stream) in Brythonic Celtic.

Many of the trees along these riverbanks are as old as the language itself. You will still find ancient oaks and rare temperate rainforest within the Dart Valley. It is a river renowned for its wild and wooded beauty. The Dart tumbles down from Dartmoor, through South Devon and out to sea at the colourful fishing port of Dartmouth.

“A House of Commons report from last year concluded that no river in England was free from chemical contamination and only 14% had ‘good’ ecological status.”

I am lucky enough to live close to the river Dart in Totnes. Every summer, we enjoy lazy, sunny afternoons beside the river. On more adventurous days, we head up to Dartmoor for a wilder swim. The river is a constant companion, a backdrop to our lives and part of our community.

Like many other rivers in the UK, the Dart is vulnerable to pollution from sewers, agriculture and forever chemicals. A House of Commons report from last year concluded that no river in England was free from chemical contamination and only 14% had ‘good’ ecological status.

“I want future generations to continue to enjoy our rivers and I hope these images inspire others to care for their wild waters.”

Emma Stoner

I started documenting the Dart in 2022 and in 2023 I was commissioned by Surfers Against Sewage to document river users and community along the Dart. A local initiative Friends of the Dart were measuring water pollution levels and applying for bathing water status at four different locations.

Part commission and part personal work, these pictures are just the beginning of a project that is slowly evolving into a portrait of the River Dart. As an artist, I am particularly interested in the layering of human narratives within a landscape. This river sets the stage for the unfolding of many stories, from happy family days out to a natural tonic for the bereaved and heartbroken. I want future generations to continue to enjoy our rivers and I hope these images inspire others to care for their wild waters.

About Emma

Emma Stoner is a photographer based in Totnes, Devon and working throughout the UK. A love for nature and the environment is central to her work. She takes a collaborative, storytelling approach, connecting with people, looking for natural moments and working with the light.

She has an MA in Photojournalism & Documentary Photography (with Distinction) from UAL. Emma is represented by Lisa Pritchard Agency

To see more of her work, visit her website or follow her on Instagram

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River Where The Oak Trees Grow

“A House of Commons report from last year concluded that no river in England was free from chemical contamination and only 14% had ‘good’ ecological status.”

“I want future generations to continue to enjoy our rivers and I hope these images inspire others to care for their wild waters.”

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