Our Patrons

Our Patrons

Sir David Attenborough

Sir David Attenborough with stag beetle © Julia Balfour

Sir David Attenborough, the world-famous broadcaster and naturalist, has received many honours and awards from governments and esteemed national and international bodies. He needs no introduction as an environmental campaigner and, as a local resident, he has had a long association with Richmond Park.

Sir David has supported the Friends with many conservation projects, including opening Jubilee Pond, launching the appeal to re-wild Beverley Brook and opening Attenborough Pond, named after him, as part of the Friends’ Ponds and Streams Conservation Programme. The pond is located beside the road that runs from the Pen Ponds car park to the park's perimeter road near Robin Hood Gate.

Sir David presented the Friends' award winning film Richmond Park National Nature Reserve. See the Friends' Richmond Park film here.

Sir David has said: “Richmond Park is a very special place for me. The Park’s peace and tranquillity … and its wildlife [are] exceptional”

Clare Balding CBE

© Richard Gray

Clare Balding is one of Britain’s leading and most popular broadcasters. She is also a best-selling and award-winning author of numerous books, including children’s novels, and is well known as a lover of animals and wildlife.

Clare says ”Richmond Park is not far from where I live and it’s the perfect escape – I love its space and wildness.”

Clare has presented films for The Friends on the Remarkable Trees of Richmond Park (see the Remarkable Trees film here) and on the importance of protecting Skylarks (see the Skylarks film here).

Baroness Susan Kramer

Baroness Susan Kramer of Richmond Park was the MP for the Richmond Park constituency from 2005 to 2010 and has a history of campaigning for local environmental issues. She was the Liberal Democrat candidate for Mayor of London in 2000 and was Minister of State for Transport from 2013 to 2015 in the coalition government.

As a local MP Susan Kramer supported the Friends and the Park on many issues, and her title “of Richmond Park” reflects her long association with the local area and the Park. She went to school in Barnes and now lives there.