Happy Birthday, Sir David Attenborough!

Wow, what a legend Sir David is!   I’m LOVING his new series, Secret Garden, (BBC1) – it is just incredible to think he is 100 years old this week.  

For me, Sir David has brought wildlife and the natural world right into our homes.  We can sit in comfort, watching him and listening to him, his gentle voice always letting the animals and nature take the centre stage as he gently, quietly narrates in the background.

There will be so many accolades to this great man, so many blogs, postings, reports and so on, on all forms of media, printed and digital.  He has given us calm in a world which is – particularly now turbulent.  I’ve met many young people who love to listen to him:  they tell me they love his calm, his voice, his tone and pace.  For me, he  gives us calmness and stability, gentleness and a humbling approach.    I love his passion for nature and wildlife, and his being a voice for nature, all creatures great and small. He has inspired so many people to get involved and help wildlife and the natural world and to make a difference, and frankly, to make people think about "what can I do?".

The BBC is featuring a number of Sir David Attenborough programmes this week, such as Planet Earth II on Tuesday and Blue Planet II:  Oceans of Wonder on Wednesday  (both days, BBC2 at 7:30pm).

On Friday 8th May at 8:30pm, there’s David Attenborough’s 100 Years on Planet Earth, brought to us all from the Royal Albert Hall.  A BBC Concert Orchestra and special guests pay tribute to Sir David.  It will lead us through a century of exploration and discovery in the natural world and have footage from Sir David's most special works. Liz Bonnin, Steve Backshall, Chris Packham and Michael Palin will join presenter Kirsty Young on stage. I can't wait! (Although I confess that I have tissues at the ready already!)

Alternatively, Sir David has supported World Land Trust (WLT) since 1989 when it was founded. He became its official patron in 2003. The Trust say he has been an inspiration . And that you can celebrate his incredible birthday by supporting the Trust's conservation work.

Or, we can give our ongoing support to a wildlife charity, perhaps one local to you, be it through volunteering, or supporting an appeal such as a land purchase or tree planting, or seagrass planting, litter picking or by whatever means we have, and can give. 

You can sign a Happy Birthday card for Sir David – take a look at 38 Degrees

Whatever we all do, let’s do something to celebrate the life and work of Sir David.  We must hope, but hope isn't enough - we need to act for our wildlife. It would be a great gift for Sir David on his 100th birthday and beyond.

The image at the top of this page is from Tanner Knauf on Unsplash. Thankyou, Tanner!