In the bloom of spring 2025, Roots partnered with the Dartmoor Preservation Association (DPA), crafting a tapestry of youth, nature, and fashion. We hosted the fantastic Dartmoor Youth Art competition, which brought together young activists from across Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset, to celebrate Dartmoor’s wild, untamed heart. The competition allowed young artists aged between 6-18 to submit their very own handcrafted piece of artwork, whether this be painted, sketched, or even digital. With nearly 60 incredible entries, each truly captivating the beauty of Dartmoor’s landscape and inhabitants, Roots is delighted to announce that the Dartmoor Youth Art Competition was a great success. 

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In the face of habitat destruction, biodiversity loss, and uncertain court cases, with wealthy landowners attempting to seize control of Dartmoor’s future, the competition was held at a pivotal turning point in the history of Dartmoor. However, the response to these threats was stronger than ever. Each artist brought not only their own creation to the competition, but also hope for the future of Dartmoor. 

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Roots was delighted to announce the three winners of the Dartmoor Youth Art Competition, with each entry encapsulating the beauty and spirit of Dartmoor’s landscapes. Juniper Holliday, Sophie Hobson, and Molly Wightman can certainly be crowned the Queens of the moor! Their spectacular entries won them a free T-shirt with their design on, made using sustainable materials, all coming in a range of sizes and colours, as well being the subject of local fame.

 

What’s more, Juniper, Sophie, and Molly’s designs are now available for purchase on the Roots Website, with all profits going back to support the essential work of the DPA. 

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However, an additional selection of 10 entries to the competition also caught the judges eye. These entries demonstrated the human as well as the natural value of Dartmoor, through brush strokes, pencil lines, and keyboard clicks. These entries deserved a place in the hall of fame, and now feature on a Highly Commended collage design, also available for purchase on the Roots Website, again with all profits going back to support the essential work of the DPA. More details on the winning designs and where to buy them can be found Here.  

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Since 1883, the Dartmoor Preservation Association has stood watch over the moor's rugged beauty and rich heritage. With tirelessly dedicated hands, they tend to the land's wild heart, preserving its stories etched in stone and soil. Through changing seasons, the DPA weaves a tapestry of conservation, connecting past to present, and nurturing new generations of stewards to safeguard Dartmoor's treasures for years to come. Some of their vital work includes land management schemes, aiming to improve moorland biodiversity, encourage natural tree generation, and improve habitats for nature, by creating butterfly friendly habitats. These tasks, as well as a vast number of other successful projects and schemes, all nature orientated, form the basis of the DPA’s critical work on Dartmoor. The moor is also famous for containing 10% of Europe’s Bronze Age remains, which the DPA work hard to preserve, allowing the story of mankind to be reflected in the moors' hills and valleys. Roots is delighted to help fund these essential schemes, through the donation of all profits from the sales of clothing from the Dartmoor Youth Art Competition, being sent directly to the DPA. 

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The competition was inspired by the award-winning Girls Do Dartmoor programme, which has served as a beacon of empowerment that has guided 70 young women through 1,750 hours of moorland adventures. Led by the inspirational Dartmoor Ranger Kats Koster-Shadbolt, this project has not only connected young women with Dartmoor's rugged beauty but also fostered confidence, self-reliance, and a deep bond and stewardship with nature.

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The team at Roots wanted to express our deepest gratitude to all of those who entered the Dartmoor Youth Art Competition. We were euphoric about the quantity and quality of all the entries, and we loved running this competition in collaboration with the DPA. “It truly exceeded our expectations, we couldn’t have asked for a more positive outcome. We loved the creativity of each and every entry, and could visualise the imagination and experiences of Dartmoor that lay embedded in the artwork.” says Matt McEwen, Head of Communications at Roots Clothing. 

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Roots wanted to give a special shout out to the incredible judges, Lara Goodband, Julian Baird, and Lisa Schneidau, who were tasked with deciding between the vast array of talent on offer. With their expertise and knowledge, the team at Roots and the DPA were able to finalise the entries that we thought truly expressed the beauty of Dartmoor. 

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To read our blog post with more details on this excellent collaboration and competition Click Here, or visit our competition page, where you can purchase the fantastic winning designs for yourself, safe in the knowledge that all profits will go back to protecting the moor’s wild and breathtaking landscapes. 

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Winning T-shirt designs and the Highly Commended collage design are now available on the Roots Clothing website, and will soon be in Dartmoor National Park shops situated across the moor. Get them quick! The competition designs will only be available for a limited amount of time!

Stay tuned for other projects that Roots hopes to launch in the coming months. We would love to expand our operations by collaborating with a wide range of different and equally influential environmental organisations located in the UK. Get in touch with the team at hello@rootsclothing.co.uk. Many thanks!

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The moor whispers of new exciting ventures ahead!