IN PICTURES: Celebrities rally at Kew Gardens to back plant digitisation drive
By Cesar Medina 4th Dec 2024
Kew Gardens hosted celebrities yesterday (3 December) who offered their support in the final phase of digitising Kew's dried plant and fungal specimens, making the resources freely accessible around the world.
Kim Cattrall, Emilia Fox, Advolly Richmond, Phoebe Smith, James Wong, Konnie Huq and Dr Amir Khan also attended the Herbarium at the Royal Botanic Gardens last night to encourage people to consider donating to the Digitisation Project this week as part of the Big Give Christmas Challenge.
From Tuesday 3 – Tuesday 10 December through the Big Give Christmas Challenge: Unlocking Kew's globally unique Collections (biggive.org), anyone can donate to help scientists accelerate 'vital' research and equip the global community to 'fight back' against the extinction crisis.
The first £25,000 of donations received to the campaign will be doubled by Big Give.
Actor Kim Cattrall said: 'I'm honoured to be allowed to image a beautiful eagle fern (Pteridium aquilinum) specimen at Kew.
"It was collected more than 100 years ago, and I feel privileged to record it for posterity, as it represents a tangible link to my home of British Columbia.
"I believe in sharing knowledge and the importance of science in addressing the threats nature faces. I hope everyone can support this in Big Give's Christmas Challenge this week to help see this valuable project to completion."
Botanist, author and presenter, James Wong said: "Kew's Digitisation Project is vital for biodiversity. Making plant and fungal data accessible to researchers worldwide will provide invaluable insights into some of the major challenges facing the planet.
"I was so happy to play a part in that today by digitising a rare specimen of snowy saxifrage (Saxifraga nivalis – now known as Micranthes nivalis). It's quite special to think that I can be a part of this incredible plant's future."
Actor, Emilia Fox commented: "Digitising a specimen of English Daisy here at Kew has been such a memorable experience. What an honour! It's a plant that's steeped in symbolism, cultural heritage and always makes me think of English gardens and making daisy chains as a child.
"We are all aware of the challenges the planet is facing today, and it can sometimes feel difficult to know how to help for the future. Donating to Kew's Digitisation Project is a great way to support the cause - the digitisation of the plants and fungi at Kew is a meaningful way to contribute to the global scientific research and preservation of nature."
Dr Amir Khan, Medical doctor, author, TV presenter, and Ambassador for Wakehurst, Kew's wild botanic garden in Sussex said: "I've really enjoyed taking part in Kew's Digitisation Project, having the unique opportunity to image a dried specimen of Indian Elm, a plant with an incredible array of medicinal properties.
"Nature is vital for our wellbeing and for the wellbeing of all life on Earth, which is why I wanted to support this ambitious project and came on board as one of Kew Wakehurst's first Champion's earlier this year.
"The data contained within these digitised plants and fungi will help scientists around the world unlock new medicines and foods, and bring out positive change for our planet."
Plant & Garden Historian, author and presenter, Advolly Richmond highlighted: "It has been a great privilege today to contribute to Kew's Digitisation Project a specimen of the snowdrop species Galanthus nivalis.
"Having had the honour of having a species named after me, snowdrops are of great personal importance.
"More importantly, however, opening these collections to the public and by supporting Kew's Digitisation Project we can help scientists access invaluable data to tackle the most pressing environmental challenges we face and that is a cause worthy of support."
Adventurer and author, Phoebe Smith said: "It meant the world to me to digitise a specimen of the fern Christella arida from the collections of Eryl Smith here at Kew today.
"As a woman botanist and fellow Welsh adventurer, Eryl's story is truly inspirational, and this specimen is just one of thousands she has collected in various parts of the globe.
"I think taking part in Kew's ambitious digitisation project and sharing Eryl's collections with the world will help connect us to a rich history of intrepid female botanical exploration and aid global efforts to preserve nature for future generations."
Broadcaster and writer, Konnie Huq said: "I've been honoured by Kew's invitation to support their Digitisation Project and to personally digitise an incredible specimen of necklace fern (Lindsaea ensifolia) to add it into their growing online database of plants and fungi.
"Kew is an incredible organisation that is waving the banner for nature and projects such as this, not only strive to safeguard nature for the benefit of us all but also to help to contribute meaningful change for environmental conservation."
Welcoming the group to Kew this week, Director of RBG Kew, Richard Deverell, said: "Digitising our specimens is an urgent project to help find solutions to the current biodiversity crisis.
"We thank our wonderful ambassadors and champions for using their platform to call on others to help us get this project over the line and unlock the immense knowledge held within our plant and fungal collections.
"We are so proud of what we have, but it is no use if it is not applied to help us solve real world problems.
"We know that urgent action is required now – as both a charity and a world-renowned centre of expertise, Kew is in the unique position to disseminate our knowledge and collections both physically and digitally for global benefit."
To find out more about Kew Gardens click here.
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