In commemoration of the King’s ambition for preserving nature and leading a sustainably-minded lifestyle, people will be urged to cultivate fruits and vegetables in gardens that are friendly to animals around the UK.
The three-year plan intends to motivate millions of people to live sustainably and aid in the recovery of wildlife by encouraging them to grow their own food and provide space for nature in their gardens, balconies, and communal green areas.
The Wildlife Trusts, in collaboration with Incredible Edible, Garden Organic, and The NFWI (National Federation of Women’s Institutes), organised the Coronation Gardens For Food And Nature programme.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund will contribute £247,834 to the project to get it off the ground.
Charles, who became king on May 6, is well known for being an avid gardener who is dedicated to organic farming, encouraging biodiversity, and has long advocated in the battle against climate change.
Participants in the project will be urged to grow nutritious food for themselves, which, depending on the available space, might vary from herbs and salads to vegetables and fruit trees.
They will be pushed to plant flowers that are friendly to pollinators and even to make a water feature, which might be as easy as a dish that is submerged in water.
Along with being advised to stop using chemicals and peat, people will also be requested to leave a patch of long grass or build a pile of logs to provide shelter for wildlife and natural predators like hedgehogs and frogs.
Craig Bennett, chief executive of The Wildlife Trusts, said: “During the past 50 years the King has frequently called for humanity to live in harmony with nature and has promoted sustainable food growing alongside planting for pollinators and pesticide-free gardening.
“Restoring nature and enhancing the health and wellbeing of communities has never been more important. We hope that people everywhere will enjoy helping wildlife whilst growing spuds and squash – and we’d like to invite groups across the UK to join our wonderful gardening coalition.”
