Dendrolatry - The Worship of Trees
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Since the beginning of time trees have provided shelter, food, medicine, and the air we breathe. They are the keepers of time representing strength, endurance, knowledge and our connection to the earth. Threatening their existence is devastating deforestation in the name of progress. Nearly 50% of the world’s forests have already been lost. Each year, the effects and impact on our environment worsen.
In this series I hope to bring to awareness to this issue, highlighting the fragility of life on the planet and the vulnerability of the planet itself. In sharing the beauty, mystery and complexity of trees, I hope the viewer will cultivate a deeper appreciation of how important and vital they are to us. My purpose is not to portray environmental issues in a heavy-handed way; rather in an aesthetically pleasing way that if contemplated further reveals a message of stewardship and inspires action.
Trees are often overlooked when it comes to conservation action and are a highly threatened group of species. Threatening their existence is devastating habitat destruction, commercial logging, over extraction and unsustainable harvesting of for Non Timber Forest Products. It is estimated that over 9,600 tree species, 15% of the world’s total, are globally threatened with extinction and nearly 50% of the world’s forests have already been lost.