Preserving Kew's heritage

At Kew, we never forget that our ambitions for the future rest on two and a half centuries of scientific excellence and history. Our status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site is an honour but also a responsibility, as we have many historic structures, buildings and landscapes to maintain.

This responsibility is best exemplified by the Temperate House – the world’s largest surviving glass structure from the Victorian era. Last renovated in the 1970s, it is in urgent need of restoration and improved access. We have therefore made its restoration one of our highest campaign priorities. Dr Tim Entwisle, Kew’s Director of Conservation, Living Collections and Estates is coordinating this project.

Major support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, underwriting by the UK government through Defra and early pledges from philanthropists Eddie and Sue Davies, the Garfield Weston Foundation and the Wolfson Foundation in 2011 quickly provided momentum for this enormous project.

These commitments and gifts have also acted as the springboard for the public launch of our ambitious fundraising campaign.




Target:

£20 million

Campaign objectives

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Campaign objectives

Image: Detail of seed sculpture

Campaign objective:
Banking and sharing the world's seeds

Image: Forest canopy

Campaign objective:
Conserving and restoring habitats

Image: abstract image of plant DNA

Campaign objective:
Unlocking the power of plants for people

Image: green hand prints

Campaign objective:
Educating the next generation

Image: the Temperate House

Campaign objective:
Preserving Kew's heritage

Image: Detail of iron gate

Campaign objective:
Meeting our immediate and long term needs

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Breathing Planet - Explorer our Work

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Stories of the Breathing Planet

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People of the Breathing Planet

'Richard and I have been inspired by the application of Kew's science across a broad spectrum.'
Kara Gnodde, Trustee

Breathing Planet People

'We are proud of our longstanding research, conservation and education partnership with Kew.'
Sir Andrew Witty, CEO, GlaxoSmithKline

Breathing Planet People

'I want to deliver an outstanding family landscape that attracts children to learn and have fun.'
Professor Angela McFarlane, Director of Public Engagement and Learning

Breathing Planet People

'Kew’s restoration ecology programme has the potential to transform the world.'
Dr Bruce Pavlik, Head of Restoration Ecology

Breathing Planet People

'No other institution could offer the opportunities or support for expertise on trees and arboreta.'
Tony Kirkham, Head of Arboretum

Breathing Planet People

'The restoration of the Temperate House is an example of how Kew's history is relevant today.'
Dr Tim Entwisle, Director of Conservation, Living Collections

Breathing Planet People

'When we discovered Kew's scientific work, we decided to leave a legacy to Kew in our wills.'
Andy and Val Butler, Supporters

AndyValbut

'There is no technical reason why any plant species should become extinct.'
Dr Paul Smith, Head of Seed Conservation

Paul Smith

'Being at Kew gives me the opportunity to work with an incredibly diverse range of plants.'
Lara Jewitt, Glasshouse Manager

Lara Jewit

'My team keep Kew's 1.5 million visitors safe so they can relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.'
John Deer, Security Manager

John Deer

'I try to inspire our visitors to take personal action to help conserve the plants upon which our lives depend.'
Andy Jackson, Head of Wakehurst Place

Andy Jackson

'Our partnership with Kew is evidence of the power of global collaboration.'
Professor De-Zhu Li, Kunming Institute of Botany

De-Zhulia

'It is the people at Kew who fill me with optimism for the future.'
Marcus Agius, Chairman, RBG, Kew and Kew Foundation

Marcus Agigus

'It’s a real privilege to show people the Gardens and explain our important work to them.'
Valerie Munro, Volunteer Guide

Valerie Manroe

'25 years since politics halted the project we are finally able to start work again in Iraq.'
Dr Shahina Ghazanfar, Herbarium Temperate Manager

Shahina

'I have been able to help to save the world’s smallest water lily from extinction.'
Carlos Magdalena, Collections, Horticulture

Breathing Planet People

'Kew’s science can harness the usefulness of plants for mankind.'
Professor Monique Simmonds, Deputy Keeper, Jodrell Laboratory

Breathing Planet People

Did You Know?

 1/3

 

One third of the Earth's habitats have been damaged by humans

 400,000

 

There are roughly 400,000 species of plants on earth

 1/4


One in four prescription drugs come from nature

 3/4


Three out of four people in the world rely on plants for healthcare

 50%


Kew works with 50% of the FTSE 100 companies

 800


Kew works with more than 800 organisations in over 100 countries

 30,000


Some 30,000 species grow on Kew's two sites

 40,000


Kew holds 40,000 plant DNA specimens

 1,250,000


Kew's fungarium holds 1.25 million specimens

 1/5

 

One in 5 plant species is at risk of extinction

About Kew Foundation

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