Today The Duke of Cambridge has become Patron of two wildlife conservation charities, handed to His Royal Highness by The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh.
The new patronages, Fauna & Flora International (FFI) and the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), align with The Duke of Cambridge’s longstanding work around conservation and support for communities protecting their natural environment for future generations.
Established in 1903, Fauna & Flora International (FFI) is the world’s oldest international wildlife conservation organisation. The Queen has held the role of Patron for almost seven decades.
FFI focuses on protecting biodiversity, which underpins healthy ecosystems and is critical for the life-support systems that humans and all other species rely on. It protects threatened species and ecosystems worldwide, choosing solutions that are sustainable, based on sound science and that enhance human well-being. Operating in more than 40 countries worldwide, FFI is also a founding member of United for Wildlife, and was recently announced as Global Alliance Partner of The Earthshot Prize.
The British Trust for Ornithology aims to empower communities to protect local bird species and their natural habitats in order to ensure they are preserved for generations to come, whilst also working to promote the benefits of the natural world on our health and wellbeing. Through its network of volunteers, the BTO gathers data to build upon our understanding of the natural world, providing a solid evidence base that supports informed decision-making and conservation action.
The Duke of Edinburgh has been Patron of the BTO for over thirty years, and is a lifelong ornithology enthusiast. His Royal Highness’ interest was first sparked in 1956 while travelling in the Royal Yacht Britannia between New Zealand and Antarctica, where The Duke began to identify and photograph the seabirds native to the region.
