Sir David Attenborough’s Richmond Park

Sir David Attenborough has had a unique association with the Friends of Richmond Park, helping us with a range of conservation projects over the last 15 years.

To commemorate the centenary of his birth and Sir David’s support of the Friends, we have produced a special booklet for readers to enjoy and to appreciate the key places, projects and events that he has championed as our patron for the last 15 years.

This special booklet is now available to buy at the Richmond Park Visitor Centre by Pembroke Lodge or online in our shop here:  Sir David Attenborough’s Richmond Park – Friends of Richmond Park 

It illustrates how vital Sir David’s help has been in protecting the precious ecology of London’s largest National Nature Reserve and illustrates how his interest and generous efforts support Richmond Park’s wonderful wildlife.

And, of course, we wish him a very happy 100th birthday.

©Friends of Richmond Park 2026

 Some highlights from the booklet:

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visits Richmond Park

On 15 May 2012, the late Queen visited Richmond Park as part of her Diamond Jubilee celebrations, where Sir David inaugurated a new wildlife pond, Jubilee Pond.  Naturally, she was also greeted by Sir David, with whom she would later go on to have a special relationship, sharing their love of trees and culminating in the Queen’s Green Canopy.

Year of the Tree

 The Friends launched the 2020 Year of the Tree in late 2019, with Sir David as its patron. It was a campaign to both support tree conservation and to increase public awareness of the importance of trees to the landscape and biodiversity of Richmond Park.  The flagship image of the campaign was a stunning pencil drawing of the Royal Oak, by the artist Mark Frith.  The original artwork is on display at Pembroke Lodge and smaller prints are on sale at the Visitor Centre and from our online shop.

Opening Attenborough Pond

In 2014, Sir David opened Attenborough Pond, named in his honour as a thank you for all his support for Richmond Park, and acknowledging his role as a world renowned conservationist and wildlife broadcaster.

Sir David becomes a patron as the Friends turn 50

Sir David became a patron of the Friends on its 50th anniversary in 2011, along with the children’s novelist Dame Jacqueline Wilson and Baroness Susan Kramer, MP for Richmond Park, 2005-2010. To celebrate, the Friends helped fund three conservation projects to improve habitats in the Park.

 The Richmond Park film – Don’t forget – Tread Lightly!

In 2017 the Friends launched a specially commissioned film, narrated by Sir David and featuring several scenes with him in the Park.  ‘Richmond Park National Nature Reserve’ (known by many as the ‘Tread Lightly’ film for its conservation message) premiered at the Royal Geographical Society in London with Sir David,  Sir Trevor McDonald and Dougie Poynter of McFly (a frequent visitor to, and lover of, Richmond Park) as well as hundreds of school children and volunteers who help out in Richmond Park. The film can be viewed in full on the Friends of Richmond Park YouTube channel; Tread Lightly in Richmond Park

The Queen’s Green Canopy – Planting the Platinum Jubilee Woodland

The Platinum Jubilee Woodland, located by Ham Cross, was conceived to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 year reign and was part of the nationwide Queen’s Green Canopy conservation project. Sir David and the broadcaster and writer Clare Balding, another patron of the Friends, planted the final one of the 70 trees in the woodland. They were helped by children from the Friends’ Discoverers programme and the Queen’s Green Canopy Junior Foresters.

 “If children grow up not knowing about nature and appreciating it, they will not understand it, and if they don’t understand it, they won’t protect it, and if they don’t protect it, who will?”

From Conserving Wonder, Learning Through Landscapes

For a copy of Sir David Attenborough’s Richmond Park booklet visit our online shop at Sir David Attenborough’s Richmond Park – Friends of Richmond Park  or buy it at the Visitor Centre at Pembroke Lodge in the Park.

And why not join the Friends of Richmond Park; it’s easy to do online now: Membership – Join – Friends of Richmond Park

Special thanks to The Royal Parks and Richmond Park staff and management for making so many of the projects a reality and to the photographers who have contributed to this special anniversary booklet:

  • Richmond Council, The Royal Parks, the BBC and Passion Planet.
  • Liz Coleman, Ron Crompton, Richard Gray, Nigel Jackman, Gillian Jonusas, Pete Lawrence, Jack Lawson, Chris O’Donovan, Andrew Wilson and Ian Skelton.