Wakehurst aims to find science based solutions to some of the most pressing challenges that the planet faces. Through her advocacy, the actor and producer, Cate Blanchett hopes to raise awareness of the extraordinary work of the seed bank.
Confirming the news, Blanchett said: “I am delighted to be Wakehurst’s inaugural ambassador. I find the work done here to be utterly inspiring, and a genuine insurance policy against extinction of wild flora and fauna. The Millennium Seed Bank is a beacon of hope and international cooperation at a time when we’ve never needed it more.”
She adds: “Apart from it being a rich hub, Wakehurst is such a beautiful place to lose yourself in nature, in the immense varieties of trees, plants and grasses, that I want to help spread the word about this unique and stunning landscape that positively impacts all of our lives.”
Cate joins an existing programme of eleven esteemed Ambassadors and Champions who support the work of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, including fellow actors Dame Judi Dench, Emilia Fox and Kim Cattrall, botanist James Wong and garden historian and TV presenter Advolly Richmond, amongst others.
Richard Deverell, Director of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, said: “I am really delighted to welcome Cate into our fantastic Ambassador programme. She has been a powerful advocate on social and environmental issues throughout her career and I know she holds special affection for our wild botanic garden, Wakehurst, home to the Millennium Seed Bank. We look forward to working with Cate to bring the wonders of what we do to a wider audience and to celebrate nature together.”
Based near Haywards Heath, Wakehurst offers visitors a stunning mix of formal gardens, wild meadows, woodlands and wetlands. There is also a chance to set foot inside the Millennium Seed Bank which houses an incredible collection of over 2.4 billion seeds from around the globe, stored underground to preserve them for the future.
Marilena Reina, Head of Marketing and Strategic Communications at Wakehurst, said: “Wakehurst is so much more than a walk in a beautiful wild botanic garden: it is a vital living laboratory where conservation science thrives across our biodiverse landscapes and in our labs. With Cate’s support we want to share why Wakehurst matters, and the reasons connecting to and protecting nature for future generations is so important.”