Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit has been selected as the Children’s Ambassador for The Queen’s Green Canopy initiative, a special Platinum Jubilee project that will see a nation-wide tree planting take place in honour of the Queen in 2022.
The Queen’s Green Canopy initiative was launched this week under the theme ‘Trees in Literature’, as the QGC Ambassador, Dame Judi Dench recited a poem in her garden in memory of loved ones. Dench shared her own passion for trees and literature, as well as her support for The Queen’s Green Canopy by recording her recital of A E Houseman’s Loveliest of trees, the cherry now.
“As an official Ambassador for The Queen’s Green Canopy, I am proud to be a part of a nation-wide tree planting initiative to pay tribute to Her Majesty and her lifetime of service to the United Kingdom,” said Dench.
“People of all ages from Land’s End to John O’Groats are being invited to Plant a Tree for the Jubilee in 2022. This country has never before celebrated a Platinum Jubilee and next year we will have the opportunity to thank Her Majesty by planting trees to create an abundant canopy across the four corners of the country. Planting season starts in October, so get ready to plant.”
Meanwhile, and with nature at the heart of the initiative, Peter Rabbit has been selected as the Children’s Ambassador for the project. First published in 1902, The Tale of Peter Rabbit will be celebrating its 120th birthday during the Platinum Jubilee.
Beatrix Potter’s illustrations of trees in nature depict woodland adventures and comfortable homes for her animal creations. Her original pencil sketch of Peter Rabbit’s burrow in the roots of a fir tree will be released in support of The Queen’s Green Canopy launch.
The QGC looks forward to working with Peter who will help children understand the importance of trees as a sanctuary for animals, and to encourage families to become involved in the planting process together.
As The Queen’s Green Canopy looks ahead to the planting season in October, we will be helping people through the dedicated website www.queensgreencanopy.org to learn about the best way to plant trees so that they survive and flourish for years to come.
