New patron is renowned conservationist and author
A conservationist whose work has featured in the National Geographic, the Guardian and on the BBC has just been announced as the new patron of CPRE Cornwall.
Merlin Hanbury–Tenison is a Cornish conservationist and veteran who founded and runs The Thousand Year Trust, Britain’s rainforest charity which aims to triple Britain’s rainforest cover to one million acres in the next thirty years
CPRE Cornwall announced his Patronage for the charity at the start of the week. The charity campaigns to protect the Cornish countryside and coast.
‘CPRE Cornwall has always punched above its weight for a small charity. However, to continue supporting and protecting all aspects of rural life as we would wish, we need more publicity, funds, and members,’ says Rowena Swallow, Chair, CPRE Cornwall.
‘We are very much looking forward to having Merlin’s highly respected and authoritative voice to help us get our message across.’
‘It is a huge honour for me to become the Patron of this brilliant charity,’ says Merlin Hanbury-Tenison.
‘I hope that I can be a suitable standard-bearer as we press for eco-friendly development, sustainable agriculture, better infrastructure for local needs and genuinely affordable homes.’
‘As a proud Cornishman who has grown up seeing many of the challenges that Cornwall faces, I am passionate about the need for sensible, sustainable and restrained development where it is needed for local people.’
Mitigating climate change
‘I hope to advocate for CPRE Cornwall on the vital importance of action to mitigate climate change and the importance of engaging with nature to promote mental health and well-being.’
Merlin lives in a temperate rainforest on Bodmin Moor with his wife Lizzie, an entrepreneur and business leader, and their two young daughters.
