DAHL FOREST WETLAND by Huw Morgan

DAHL FOREST WETLAND by Huw Morgan

In the late 19th century and early 20th century, the old growth forests in Ontario were harvested to supply wood for everything from ship masts to pulp for newspapers. Loggers took the best pines and oaks to supply the European market. Many of the remaining forests burned in the accidental fires that swept through Ontario after the cuts. As we now know, large forests are critical to the absorption of carbon from the atmosphere. As we grapple with global warming, re-forestation is a key strategy alongside reduction in carbon generation. The Haliburton Highlands Land Trust is an organization seeking to play a major role in preserving and enhancing the forested areas of Haliburton county. To quote their website: ”The Land Trust believes that a healthy natural environment has social and cultural value. People are happier and healthier when they can enjoy clean water, natural beauty and outdoor spaces.” The Land Trust has acquired five nature reserves: Barnum Creek Nature Reserve, Fred and Pearl Barry Wetland Reserve, Norah’s Island, Smith Forest and the Dahl Forest. The Dahl Forest is approximately 500 acres. William Dahl bought the property in the early 1950s. At that time, it was abandoned. In the years following, the family planted more than 100,000 trees in plantations covering about 40 per cent of the property. The remaining acreage was left to regenerate naturally and has returned to wilderness. The Dahl family donated the property to the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust. My image, Dahl Forest Wetland, seeks to capture the beauty and tranquility of this lovingly restored forest and wetland. The Dahl Forest serves as a model of how we can regenerate lost forests to improve carbon capture and avoid severe climate change. Hopefully, my photograph will contribute by drawing attention to the efforts of the Haliburton Land Trust and encourage others to invest in our future. The image was taken on October 27th, 2020 using a digital camera and has been converted to black and white using Adobe Lightroom.

HUW MORGAN

Huw Morgan is a professional art and event photographer based in southern Ontario. In his event photography practice, he specializes in photographing musicians and supporting non-profit arts organizations like the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra. In his art photography practice, Huw is a conceptual photographer, working concurrently on several projects described below.

Huw was born in Wales, United Kingdom, and emigrated to Canada when he was 10 years old. He went to the University of Toronto, graduating in mathematics and received his MBA from York University. Huw received a Certificate in photo arts from the Haliburton School of the Arts, part of Fleming College. He has been fortunate to have had three parallel careers: as an Information Technology professional, a musician, and a photographer.

Huw exhibits regularly in group shows at Gallery 1313, Toronto (the Spectra exhibit, part of Contact), Gallery 44, Toronto, and Rails-end Gallery, Haliburton. He has also contributed works to group shows at Elaine Fleck Gallery, Toronto and the Canterbury Creative Arts, Scarborough.
Huw also presents webinars on conceptual photography and Photoshop statistical techniques to photo clubs and groups in Canada and the UK.

If you are interested in purchasing a piece of work by this artist, the artist will retain 100% of the sale proceeds from any of their work sold through this exhibit.

Huw Morgan
huw.morgan@gmail.com