Sir David Attenborough awarded Rothschild medal
Sir David Attenborough was awarded the Rothschild medal in recognition of the extraordinary inspiration, leadership and support he has given to The Wildlife Trust over the past 60 years.
The medal was awarded at a small celebration at London Wildlife Trust’s Crane Park Island Nature Reserve on Thursday.
It was given to Sir David by Charlotte Lane, grand-daughter of the Honourable Charles Rothschild and daughter of Dame Miriam Rothschild, pioneering conservationists in whose name the medal was created.
Attenborough says: “Charles Rothschild was effectively the founder of the county Wildlife Trusts and his daughter Miriam was a great biologist.
“I knew her only slightly, but everyone interested in natural history is also indebted to her – whether it is because of her work on fleas and the diseases they carry, or the ecological importance of the verges on motorways.
“So it is a huge honour to be given a medal carrying the Rothschild name and I shall treasure it greatly.”
Sir David Attenborough credits Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust’s Tilton Cutting Nature Reserve with giving him his love of the natural world, he would explore it and search for fossils there as a young boy.
Since then, Sir David has gone on to form a long association with The Wildlife Trust, visiting and championing their work across the UK for six decades.
Among those present at this morning’s ceremony were Susan Attenborough (Sir David’s daughter), Liz Bonnin (current president of The Wildlife Trusts) and Duncan Ingram (chair of The Wildlife Trusts).