Sir David Attenborough has unveiled a quote in bronze lettering at the Natural History Museum in London as part of the museum’s Urban Nature Project, opening in 2024.
The quote, which reads, “The future of the natural world, on which we all depend, is in our hands”, is installed outside the museum’s main entrance and will overlook the new gardens.
At the unveiling, Attenborough said, “Each of us must cherish the natural world that surrounds us, from wide open countryside to tiny patches of green in our cities.
‘The future of the natural world… is in our hands’
“I hope the Urban Nature Project and the new gardens at the museum will take learning into the open air and inspire young people to continue to value, understand and support the natural world on their doorsteps and far beyond.”
As the name suggests, the Urban Nature Project is currently underway to transform the Natural History Museum’s five-acre gardens into a hub for urban nature and biodiversity.
The development includes new outdoor galleries to tell the story of evolving life on the planet from 540 million years ago to the present day. Additionally, a life-sized bronze Diplodocus will feature in a Jurassic landscape.
The gardens will also use scientific sensors to gather environmental DNA and acoustic data in order to monitor, understand and protect urban nature.
“Knowing that the UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, it’s more important than ever to protect the wildlife in our urban spaces,” said Doug Gurr, director of the Natural History Museum.
“Through the Urban Nature Project, the museum is encouraging visitors and young people to explore natural history in a new way, giving them the tools to look to the future and safeguard nature in towns and cities.”
In more news, the Natural History Museum has launched a new podcast titled Our Broken Planet.
