Archive
Artists for Nature (ANF)
Visit to Hula Valley, Israel. March 6th - 16th 2009
I have been lucky enough to have been involved in many of the 12 or more projects which the Artists for Nature Foundation (ANF) has been associated over the past twenty or so years - from Spain, to Peru, India, Alaska and many other countries where art can be used to support and promote important conservation issues. See the ANF website
Recently I visited the Hula Valley in northern Israel as part of an ANF team of artists brought together to support the international conservation work going on there to protect an important bottleneck site for birds migrating along the Syrian-African Rift Valley between Africa, Europe, and Asia.
Historically the Hula valley was a vast swamp of papyrus, lakes, mud and marsh created over millennia by the natural low gradient of the Jordan River which flowed into the north end of the valley spilling out over an area of almost 50 square kilometres. At its southern end a vast basalt plug restricted the flow of the Jordan river towards the Sea of Galilee and on to the Dead Sea. Winter rains enlarged the wilderness that was a home for countless wild animals and many species of wild birds and a vital stopover site and seasonal home for many millions of migratory birds.
Visit to Hula Valley, Israel. March 6th - 16th 2009
I have been lucky enough to have been involved in many of the 12 or more projects which the Artists for Nature Foundation (ANF) has been associated over the past twenty or so years - from Spain, to Peru, India, Alaska and many other countries where art can be used to support and promote important conservation issues. See the ANF website
Recently I visited the Hula Valley in northern Israel as part of an ANF team of artists brought together to support the international conservation work going on there to protect an important bottleneck site for birds migrating along the Syrian-African Rift Valley between Africa, Europe, and Asia.
Historically the Hula valley was a vast swamp of papyrus, lakes, mud and marsh created over millennia by the natural low gradient of the Jordan River which flowed into the north end of the valley spilling out over an area of almost 50 square kilometres. At its southern end a vast basalt plug restricted the flow of the Jordan river towards the Sea of Galilee and on to the Dead Sea. Winter rains enlarged the wilderness that was a home for countless wild animals and many species of wild birds and a vital stopover site and seasonal home for many millions of migratory birds.
Migration north along the Hula valley (and approaching storm coming off the Syrian highlands and Mount Hermon).
Watercolour / mixed media
142cm x 74cm.
Watercolour / mixed media
142cm x 74cm.
(Above) Over 10,000 cranes winter in the Hula Valley. Their presence creates conflict with agricultural interests in the valley when huge flocks descend on surrounding fields to feed. Then the tracks, paths and roadways criss-crossing the valley are busy with the traffic of bird scarers on motorbikes or 4x4s blaring sirens to scare the birds away.
(Above) Irrigation system with cranes coming down into the fields beyond, (with distant Mount Hermon and Golan Heights in the background).
Watercolour and crayon. 84cm x 30cm
Watercolour and crayon. 84cm x 30cm
| Branta Cruises |
| Troubled Waters |
| Atelier Natura |
| North Norfolk - December 2011 |
| Albion Press |
| Pulborough Brooks, RSPB nature reserve |
| Elmley Marshes, RSPB nature reserve |
| RSPB UK Headquarters |
| Migration Game, Sandwell Valley |
| UNEP-WCMC, World Conservation Monitoring Centre, UK |