The Wildlife Trusts are Delighted to Have Patronage of His Majesty, The King
4th May 2024
His Majesty, The King has announced his continued patronage of The Wildlife Trusts following a review of Royal patronages conducted by the Royal Household after His Majesty’s accession to the throne.
King Charles III became patron of The Wildlife Trusts in 1977 when Prince of Wales. Since then, he has become well known as a visionary environmentalist and has dedicated more than 50 years to championing the UK’s response to the nature and climate crises. His trailblazing efforts have included banning peat in his gardens in the 1980s to promoting sustainable agriculture at the 2020 World Economic Forum.
Duncan Ingram, Chair of The Wildlife Trusts, says:
“His Majesty is a remarkable naturalist, an inspiring leader, and a champion of wildlife who has consistently advocated for nature’s recovery in the UK. Nature and climate have long been at the heart of King Charles’ work, and The Wildlife Trusts are honoured that he has chosen to continue his patronage.
“We’re also delighted to be leading the Coronation Gardens for Food and Nature initiative, which is inspired by His Majesty’s work in promoting food growing in harmony with nature, and is doing so much to encourage people to grow their own and help wildlife even in the smallest of urban spaces.”
Craig Bennett, Chief Executive of The Wildlife Trusts, says:
“For more than half a century, His Majesty has been at the forefront of raising awareness and calling for action to tackle the global environmental crisis. From his first landmark speech about the environment in 1970, to becoming Patron of The Wildlife Trusts in 1977, to initiating countless breakthrough environmental initiatives, right through to his internationally acclaimed speech at the UN climate summit in Dubai last autumn, His Majesty has consistently demonstrated foresight, courage and leadership as he has helped communities, charities and businesses grapple with the challenges and opportunities inherent in living more sustainably and in harmony with Nature.
“It is therefore a great honour that His Majesty has agreed to continue with his Patronage of The Wildlife Trusts. We are very grateful for his support, and the message it sends about the importance of conserving and restoring our precious wildlife.”
As The Prince of Wales, His Majesty launched Coronation Meadows in 2013 to honour the 60th year of the late Queen’s accession to the throne. In the face of the catastrophic loss of 97% of our wildflower meadows since the 1930s, the plan was to create new and restored meadows using donor seed from remaining fragments of ancient and traditional meadows. The scheme has been a remarkable success with 101 new meadows created by partner charities, The Wildlife Trusts and Plantlife.
Last year a groundbreaking new initiative, Coronation Gardens for Food and Nature, was launched as a tribute to His Majesty, King Charles III’s long-standing commitment to the natural world and the environment. Led by The Wildlife Trusts, Incredible Edible, Garden Organic, and the NFWI (National Federation of Women’s Institutes), the project has reached over 25,000 people with 2,000 gardens pledged and 250 schools involved.
His Majesty has lent his support in person to many Wildlife Trusts over decades and has visited nature reserves, including Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust’s Lower Woods and Manx Wildlife Trust’s Close Sartfield wildflower meadows.
