Sir David Attenborough's Patron's Messages

These are messages from Sir David Attenborough CH FRS, World Land Trust Patron, as published in the Trust's Annual Review & Accounts.

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Sir David Attenborough with an image of a new tree species that will be named in honour of Sir David. (Photo taken at the launch of the WLT webcam project, January 2008.)

“My links with the WLT go back very many years before it was established in 1989 - indeed, as far back as 1976 while I was working on Life on Earth. Those who watched the programme will recall that, while filming in Rwanda, we were alerted to the plight of the Mountain Gorillas. With John Burton, WLT’s Chief Executive, who was, at that time, working for the Fauna Preservation Society (now Fauna and Flora International) we were able to launch the Mountain Gorilla Project which, over the subsequent years has successfully halted the demise of these wonderful animals."

"When John Burton contacted me in 1989 to ask whether I would support a brand new rainforest initiative in Belize I was pleased to give it my backing. Since then I have watched as the WLT has gone on to purchase and protect critically endangered tracts of land to protect it acre by acre for the future."

"I have been immensely lucky in that my professional work has taken me to all corners of the world where I have been able to see first hand some of the rarest and most spectacular wildlife on earth. But the fate of the creatures which share our planet lies entirely at the hand of mankind - it is within our power to protect them or watch them become extinct. Let us choose the first route."

(Extract from Patron’s Message, Annual Review and Accounts 2003, available from the WLT online or in hard copy.)

"In human nature there is good and evil, and often it is within man’s capacity to destroy the very things we value most. For millions of years we have been exploiting our planet and its natural resources but it is only with modern technology that we have tipped the scales to an alarming degree. We are at risk of destroying the very bedrock on which our existence was built. As a Patron of the WLT I take heart in the approaches used by the Trust and particularly welcome work carried out by the WLT team in 2004 to address the global warming issue. WLT’s new Carbon-balancing programme really does give us a way of helping put back what we are taking away. I would urge everyone to think deeply about what is important in life and to consider the consequences of daily activities. Balancing your carbon emissions with the WLT means that we can be even more effective in our key objective: acquiring land for conservation. Please join with the World Land Trust to do what we can to save what is precious to us."

(Patron’s Message, Annual Review and Accounts 2004, available from the WLT online or in hard copy.)

"When I was making ‘Life in the Undergrowth’ I was frequently asked why I make programmes about tiny creatures, sometimes no bigger than a full stop, or insects disguised as a flower. The simple answer is that I am fascinated by them because they are amazing, and part of the pleasure of living is finding out about these creatures. Despite man’s sophistication we are unable to recreate anything quite so wonderful."

"Sadly hundreds of thousands of small, and not so small, animals are being lost by the minute as tropical forests continue to fall to the chain saw. In the majority of cases we are guaranteeing that these animals are doomed to extinction before we even know about them. And yet we do know that more than half the world’s estimated 10 million species of plants, animals and insects live in tropical forests."

Sir David Attenborough meets WLT's Diploma Students. (Photo taken at the WLT's Trustee Meeting, December 2007.)

"I have been enormously inspired by the progress of World Land Trust and its remarkable achievements in halting at least some of the destruction to tropical forests. 2005 was one of the Trust’s most important years and critical areas of land protecting a huge biodiversity of wildlife have been purchased and are being managed by our local partners."

"World Land Trust gives absolutely everyone an opportunity to get involved and take personal responsibility in a really positive way. Each year the Trust sets its fundraising targets higher and in its seventeen years has managed to exceed its most ambitious targets. 2006 will see even greater efforts and I urge you to join with us to save even more critically threatened habitats, for the future of their wildlife great and small, and for the future of mankind. Thank you."

(Patron’s Message, Annual Review and Accounts 2005, available from the WLT online or in hard copy.)

"Sometimes I am asked ‘What is the point of saving habitats and the world’s threatened wildlife if the world’s climate is going to dictate lost habitats in the future’. And, quite honestly, I’m not sure of the answer."

"When making Planet Earth cameramen became very emotional as they saw polar bears slipping and sliding on melting ice, and the harsh reality is there to be seen. But I believe none of us would continue with life if we didn’t have an optimism for the future."

"As Patron of the World Land Trust of course I support the notion that tropical forests and other critically threatened habitats and their wildlife must be saved at all cost. During 2006 WLT was able to raise record funding to support direct conservation in many different countries, and it is hugely encouraging to hear, as I do at regular intervals, from John Burton, about new land that has been saved."

"While, on one hand we need to take responsibility for our daily life: or to use the catch phrase of 2006, our Carbon Footprint, we also have the ability to save wildlife. Let us all rise to the challenge in 2007: reduce our impact on the environment and vest any extra cash we have in saving what is left of the world’s wild spaces. World Land Trust is doing an excellent job and I thoroughly recommend their work."

Sir David Attenborough, CH FRS
(Patron’s Message, Annual Review and Accounts 2006, available from the WLT online or in hard copy.)

Help us save wildlife habitats: Support the World Land Trust

Please join Sir David in supporting the World Land Trust: Make a donation today.

More information about Sir David Attenborough

David Attenborough: A Tribute to the Patron of the WLT on his 80th Birthday »

How can I contact Sir David Attenborough?

Other Messages of Support

David Attenborough writes about WLT's work in The Guardian newspaper »

Messages from other WLT supporters »