Happy 100th Birthday, Sir David Attenborough

Kew honours Attenborough’s lifetime championing plants and fungi
Charity calls on everyone to spend more time in nature to protect plants and fungi
Staff and volunteers record birthday message outside iconic Palm House
Kew’s Director calls Attenborough ‘our most critical friend at a critical moment in our planet’s trajectory’

As we celebrate the 100^th birthday of Sir David Attenborough, a global icon whose voice, vision, and lifelong dedication have transformed humanity’s understanding of the natural world, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is calling on people to honour him by taking greater care of our plants and fungi. Sir David’s global impact as a documentary maker and advocate for nature has inspired generations to love, appreciate and protect Earth’s extraordinary biodiversity.

To mark this moment, 100 staff and volunteers from across Kew’s three sites - Kew Gardens, Wakehurst and Madagascar - gathered to record their birthday message in front of Kew’s iconic Palm House. From scientists to horticulturists, from volunteer guides to retail staff, their message was that we can all play a part in the future of our planet by becoming champions for nature.

Speaking at the event, Kew’s Director, Richard Deverell said: “Sir David’s extraordinary storytelling has inspired millions to value the natural world. His work amplifies the importance of plants and underscores the urgency of Kew’s mission to document, conserve and protect the world’s plant and fungal diversity. It is a critical message at a critical moment in our planet’s trajectory.”

Sir David’s longstanding association with Kew goes back to his early life when he used to visit Kew to find peace and tranquillity in nature. He then became a Trustee of the Gardens before going on to make several landmark documentaries including Kingdom of Plants and The Green Planet.

Sir David has also been instrumental in raising the profile of the extraordinary plant life of Madagascar, where Kew has a conservation centre. Dr Hélène Ralimanana, Head of Operations at Kew Madagascar said: “It was a privilege to meet Sir David in 2017 when the President of Madagascar came to Kew. His influence on Madagascar’s plant conservation has shaped global awareness, attracted funding, and influenced policy. Planet Earth and The Green Planet brought Madagascar’s plant life, including baobabs, spiny forests, and rainforests to millions worldwide. By showcasing the island’s unique biodiversity and high levels of endemism, he fostered a deeper public understanding of its fragile ecosystems."

Deverell added, “He has helped to greatly increase public awareness of the critical role botanic gardens play in safeguarding biodiversity. By championing science, horticulture and education, he has strengthened global efforts to protect endangered species, restore ecosystems, and secure nature’s future for generations to come. We now call on everyone to celebrate his incredible legacy by becoming an advocate for nature.”

What you can do to honour Sir David

As we see a rising tide of global public concern and anger at the degradation of nature and the damage to our climate wrought by humanity, what better way is there to celebrate this milestone. Here are some easy ways to celebrate Sir David Attenborough’s birthday:

Plant for the Future: Grow resilient trees and pollinator-friendly plants to support local biodiversity.
Protect Natural Habitats: Volunteer with conservation groups or participate in habitat restoration projects.
Fund a Future Breakthrough: Contribute towards scientific research that helps identify, protect, and restore endangered plant species and tell us this is in honour of Sir David Attenborough's birthday.
Reduce Your Environmental Impact: Embrace sustainable choices by reducing waste and lowering your carbon footprint.
Champion Plant Diversity: Learn about endangered plant species and support their conservation.
Educate and Inspire Others: Share Sir David’s documentaries and promote awareness of environmental issues.
Advocate for Change: Support policies that protect forests, wetlands, and ecosystems worldwide.
Connect with Nature: Visit green spaces to deepen your appreciation of the natural world.

Sir David’s enduring message is clear: humanity’s future depends on the health of the natural world. By protecting plants and fungi, we protect the ecosystems that sustain life on Earth.

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For more information please contact: PR@kew.org

For images click here: https://we.tl/t-nS3QwG0PzYj3fbHo

Notes to Editors

Facts and timeline - Sir David’s impact on plants and fungi

Through his work, Sir David has illuminated the intricate relationships between plants, ecosystems, and human survival, reinforcing the vital truth that protecting plant life is essential to securing a sustainable future. He has been a frequent visitor to Kew Gardens and Wakehurst, as well as being pivotal in many of Kew’s historic and memorable events.

Sir David served as a Kew Trustee from 1984 to 1992 and in 1996, he was honoured with the Kew International Medal
In 2014, the independent Kew Guild awarded him their Medal too.  Upon his acceptance, he expressed just how much Kew has meant to him.
In 2005, he planted Kew’s very first Wollemi Pine - thought to be extinct for two million years until a small population was found in the Blue Mountains of Australia in 1994. Today, the species is critically endangered and restricted to fewer than 100 trees in the Wollemi National Park in Australia.   
In 2017, he joined the president of Madagascar, Hery Rajaonarimampianina, at Kew for a discussion and celebration of Madagascar's amazing plant diversity. 
In 2018, he dubbed Kew Gardens as a ‘horticulturist’s haven’ when he re-opened the newly restored Temperate House, following a five-year restoration.   A commemorative stone was laid inside the main entrance to mark the historic moment.  
In 2023 Sir David donated a precious collection of seeds from Rapa Nui (Easter Island) to his ‘friends at Kew’, believing Kew would be a safe home among its living collections. These seeds are being cultivated in the Tropical Nurseries at Kew.   
In 2025 a species of parasitic "zombie fungus" was named after Sir David Attenborough by scientists at Kew. Gibellula attenboroughi was discovered in Irish caves and infects orb-weaving spiders, taking control of their behaviour to force them into exposed positions, ensuring optimal spore dispersal before killing them.
In 2025 Kew celebrated the 25^th anniversary of its Millennium Seed Bank at Kew Wakehurst, which he has been an avid supporter of over the years and featured in an episode of The Green Planet Sir David once said it was “perhaps the most significant conservation initiative ever".

About Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew) is a world-renowned charity and global centre for plant and fungal science, education, conservation, and horticulture. We work to tackle biodiversity loss and climate change through innovative research, our living collections and influential partnerships. 

We welcome more than 2.5 million visitors each year to Kew Gardens, London’s largest UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Wakehurst, our wild botanic garden in Sussex, home to the Millennium Seed Bank. Our year-round programme of exhibitions, festivals, learning experiences and events brings our work to life, inspiring visitors of all ages to connect with and care for the natural world.

Funded through a mix of philanthropy, commercial activity, and government support, we are committed to widening access to nature and creating a thriving planet for all, powered by plants and fungi

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