Countryfile at Westonbirt Arboretum
If your Sunday evening viewing has you captivated by the awesome autumn beauty and historic heritage of The National Arboretum, you’re not alone. The awe-inspiring collection of Japanese Acers, Oak trees, and Whitebeams are world-famous, transforming the landscape in a dazzling array of yellow, orange, and crimson hues in autumn.
While it boasts beauty around every corner, the role of Westonbirt goes far beyond a feast for the eyes. It’s a collection of safeguarding significance, playing a much-needed role in global tree conservation, just as the latest IUCN report highlights more than 1 in 3 trees are under threat of extinction globally, from agriculture, logging, urbanisation, and climate change. The work that is done here, helps create an “ex-situ” safeguard, thanks to seed collecting, propagation, planting, and nurturing of key species. Westonbirt is part of global efforts to create a genetically-diverse bank of specimens from across the globe. This "living bank" could become a vital lifeline for restoring wild populations in the face of disaster, which is especially important as each tree species is essential for maintaining biodiversity and healthy ecosystems.
If you’ve been as inspired as John Craven, you can make a difference to the work that’s done here, even if you can’t travel the distance for a Holford “colour party”. Here’s how:
Become a Friend, with membership
The simplest way of making a difference is to join The Friends, and make the most of an annual subscription. As well as unlimited visits, and a bi-annual behind-the-scenes magazine, membership also includes free entry to Batsford Arboretum, Birmingham Botanicals, National Botanic Garden of Wales, Yorkshire Arboretum, and Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh, as well as 2-for-1 entry to Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and Wakehurst Place.
While you get to enjoy membership and all its benefits for as little as £30 a year, the real benefit is to the arboretum, even if you don’t have the time to visit. Your membership directly funds important projects at the arboretum, like the Silk Wood Community Planting Project, which has planted 3,300 new trees in the past year alone. Thanks to our members, we can support tree planting, seed collecting, propagation, management, and essential conservation work, making membership an amazing way you can give each year.
Know someone else that’ll love it? Why not give the gift of membership?
Support the Westonbirt Shop
Nestled within the arboretum, The Shop is filled with exquisite handmade crafts, Westonbirt Souvenirs, and thoughtful presents. What makes each purchase even more meaningful is its positive impact: proceeds from The Shop contribute directly to essential conservation efforts at Westonbirt, helping to preserve and protect the arboretum's rich biodiversity and heritage for future generations.
What's more, members of The Friends get 10% off when spending £10 or more!
Sponsor a square of Westonbirt
Whether you’re a frequent visitor with a favourite personal vista, or you just want to do your bit to combat climate change, sponsoring a digital square of Westonbirt Arboretum is a wonderful way to leave a message with a meaning.
For just £25, you can support a digital acre of the arboretum and attach your personal message to it, helping fund its continuous care. Thanks to our annual sponsors, we can support work here at Westonbirt, such as the Tree Team who ensure the continued curation of this incredible collection.
Leave a legacy
If you want to help safeguard the future of the planet, and create a lasting legacy of your life, then a gift in your Will will help protect these incredible trees. What’s more, you can write your Will for free with qualified legal experts, thanks to The Friends.
Gifts don’t need to be big to be mighty. Every penny goes into vital conservation and education projects, helping us to safeguard the collection while helping it adapt to climate change too.
Make a donation
One of the most simple and straightforward ways to help fund conservation at the arboretum is through a donation to The Friends. By making a one-off donation or setting up a regular monthly gift, you can help us care for the trees, provide new learning opportunities for visitors of all ages, and ensure accessible green space for everyone.
Remember or commemorate
Whether you’re celebrating a wedding or major milestone, or you want to commemorate a life well lived, the arboretum is home to several celebratory and memorial opportunities. Why not consider one of the leaves of life or sponsor a bench, to help make your mark on this incredible landscape?
Inscribe your memento on one of our leaves for life
Fundraise for us
Just like any other charity, we’re reliant on the generosity of an incredible group of fundraisers and donors. Can you be one of them?
Why not take part in Giving Tuesday on 3 December, getting your friends together for an event, hosting a Facebook Fundraiser for us, or simply making a donation.
Didn’t catch the show?
Sunday’s Countryfile is well worth a watch (we don’t even think we’re being biased on this one), so catch up or watch it again on BBC iPlayer. The team explores the science behind autumn colours; how the arboretum tree team cares for the trees; what a single tree supports in its ecosystem with examples of the flora, fauna, and fungi supported by trees; and how and why trees are vital to tackling climate change.
There’s still a little time to visit and see the captivating colours of autumn. Plus, if you loved the segment on fungi, why not join the Discovery Walk on 16 November?
One more thing – if you enjoyed Dan Crowley’s segment on Whitebeam (Sorbus) conservation, members will read all about it in the next edition of the Westonbirt Magazine!
Become a member to receive your copy
Thank you for your support.
Other interesting reads:
- Her Majesty The Queen is our Royal Patron
