Our President, Vice-Presidents and Ambassadors are a passionate, dedicated group of volunteers, who help to raise awareness of the nature and climate emergency, help us reach more and more people, and inspire them to take action for nature.
Dr Amir Khan is an NHS doctor, best-selling author and resident doctor on ITV’s Good Morning Britain and Lorraine, who has appeared on other TV programmes such as GP’s Behind Closed Doors. He has been a Senior Lecturer at both the University of Leeds School of Medicine and the University of Bradford and in 2018 was named GP Trainer of the Year by the Royal College of General Practitioners.
Importantly, Dr Amir is a keen nature enthusiast, who inspires hundreds of thousands of his followers on social media with daily videos and photos from his astonishing wildlife garden and local green spaces. Dr Amir has contributed to Gardener’s World magazine and his garden has been featured on the programme. He has also contributed to BBC Wildlife magazine, Grazia, Aljazeera.com and Good Housekeeping.
I’m honoured to have been invited to become the President of the RSPB. I really wasn’t expecting to be offered such an incredible position at an organisation I’ve respected for many years. Now I’m really looking forward to being part of our mission to save nature in this critical decade.
Dr Amir has been a fantastic supporter of the RSPB, especially since the Covid-19 pandemic began. An NHS Doctor, living in Yorkshire, Dr Amir has been on the frontline of the pandemic for the past two years. Despite the huge pressures of his demanding job, Dr Amir frequently shares TV tips and posts on social media of the importance of caring for nature, whether that’s stocking his bird feeders - and importantly cleaning them - to feeding his resident hedgehogs, and sharing the benefits of his garden’s flowers and plants for pollinators. Dr Amir’s garden is home to an array of birds, from his favourite – bullfinches - to great spotted woodpeckers, and even sparrowhawks, which truly show the sign of a healthy ecosystem.
Dr Amir also regularly discusses the importance of nature for our mental and physical health. As a doctor, Amir is able to speak with expertise on why access to nature and green spaces are so beneficial to us, something which became so apparent during the lockdowns.
Nature has been a constant source of comfort to me, and working on the busy frontlines of the NHS, I see comfort is something we need now more than ever.
As well as sharing highlights from his incredible garden on social media, Dr Amir has supported numerous RSPB campaigns and events including Big Garden Birdwatch, Dawn Chorus Day, the Nature of Scotland Awards, the Revive Our World campaign, Love Minsmere and many other calls to action. He is passionate about birds of prey and has spoken out about the persecution of these majestic birds, especially around Yorkshire.
It’s up to all of us to play our part and ensure decision-makers take action to protect our natural world before it’s too late.
Dr Amir has also enjoyed visiting RSPB reserves including Bempton Cliffs, where he witnessed first-hand the special seabird haven, as well as the important work carried out by the sites staff and volunteers.
As well as being an ambassador for the Good Grief Trust, a charity which support newly bereaved people, Dr Amir is the supporter of a number of other wildlife and environmental organisations and is passionate about taking action to tackle the nature and climate emergency, while encouraging more and more people, of diverse backgrounds, to stand and speak up for nature, before it’s too late. As a devoted uncle and godfather, Dr Amir wants to ensure that the wildlife he treasures, is still here for future generations to enjoy.
The RSPB is proud to announce our first-ever Ambassadors to support our mission in this vital decade, fighting a nature and climate emergency.
Creating a better future for nature and people relies on all of us, and we’ll need more and more people to join us to help save nature. Our Ambassadors will help inspire and enable more people to act for nature. We are excited to appoint these brilliant Ambassadors, who have all supported and championed the RSPB in the past, making amazing contributions to our work and helping us reach more people. They are all looking forward to utilising their passion and expertise to support our cause, celebrate our achievements and help us save nature.
Alongside our new President, we’re delighted to have their support at this crucial time.
About David…
David Domoney is a Chartered Horticulturist, broadcaster and best-selling author. He is a Fellow of the Warwickshire College Group, a Fellow of the London Colleges of Horticulture at Capel Manor, and a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture.
David currently co-presents Britain’s most viewed gardening show, ITV’s Love Your Garden. He has also been the resident gardening expert on ITV’s flagship show This Morning for over a decade. David’s love for garden birds is also well-known, sharing advice on ‘the living garden’ and the importance of supporting birds in the 433,000 hectares of British gardens.
Why David supports the RSPB…
I understand the complex interaction of birds with the garden environment and their interactions with plants and insects, and I appreciate the love and passion gardeners have for our feathered friends. I believe in the great work the RSPB does and am always happy to support, such as on the Big Garden Birdwatch, encouraging more people to take part in this citizen science that helps us understand our bird populations and what we need to learn to help them thrive.
What David says...
Ever since I was child I have been fascinated by plants and the wildlife that shared my garden. My mum and dad always encouraged me to learn more about nature and I do the same for my children. Birds, like many garden visitors, fill young minds with a sense of wonder that I believe will help us with key conservation efforts to improve our environments for the better and for generations to come. Above all we must remember that we share the planet with all creatures and plants. Only by preserving our delicate ecosystem can we be sure that our futures are secure.
David’s Favourite RSPB reserve…
Sandwell Valley.
David’s favourite bird…
Definitely the robin, the gardener’s friend.
About Deborah…
Deborah is a business leader, investor, TV personality and writer, well known for her appearances on the BBC’s Dragon’s Den. Deborah supports ethical, fair practice both in business and in life believing that taking care of the environment and wildlife is essential for our future security and wellbeing.
Why Deborah supports the RSPB…
The RSPB plays an extremely important role in the understanding, protection and conservation of birds. By identifying the issues, protecting habitats and engaging with local and wider communities, the RSPB offers a platform where we can all do something to help our wildlife.
What Deborah says…
The best moments of my life have been when I have stood still amongst the natural world, listening and watching. I’ve watched the swallows swooping over our fields, dragonflies guarding their ponds and the whoosh of thousands of starlings flying overhead on their way back to roost. The natural world is wondrous, but instead of sharing her generosity we have taken too much for ourselves, allowing little room for our fellow creatures, plants and even the soils we grow food in. We take without giving back and at a pace the natural world simply can’t respond to. In destroying nature we ultimately destroy ourselves. We have an opportunity right now to change the way we live and to let nature repair at least some of the damage we have already done. But we need to change fast, before we pass the tipping-point and the natural world is damaged beyond repair.
Deborah’s favourite RSPB reserve…
The Avalon Marshes, including Ham Wall.
Deborah’s favourite bird…
That’s hard! The sight of 30 cranes circling over our farm was special but at the other end of the scale, I do love a wren.
About Indy…
Indy is a 17-year-old naturalist living in the heart of Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire. Indy has been interested in nature from a young age which led him to volunteer weekly with the RSPB in Sherwood itself. Indy helps out with guided walks, talks and practical conservation work. Having been encouraged to share his photos and love for nature on social media, Indy has been featured on BBC Springwatch, an incredible experience which Indy says he will be forever grateful for.
Why Indy supports the RSPB…
I have been volunteering with the RSPB since I was 12. I started in the welcome crew team in the Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre, before moving on to the outdoor work, co-leading guided walks, giving talks, but my favourite part is the practical conservation work. It is one of the most satisfying things I have ever done. Working with a fab group of fun and committed volunteers and enhancing the habitat is always the highlight of my week. It is made even better when species return or increase on site thanks to the work that we do. The RSPB have always supported me with the work I do on site as well as ex-situ work for press releases and small social media films.
What Indy says…
The environment is everything we fundamentally rely on. It is not just responsible for the food we eat, the water we drink and the air we breathe, but it is has also provided an invaluable solace for so many people at the times we needed it most. We all need to do our upmost to solve the nature and climate emergency because I, and so many other people of all ages, especially the young, are terrified for our future. In the summer of 2022, the UK experienced the hottest temperatures on record, I heard so many people saying they loved sitting outside and sunbathing and enjoying it. I didn't, all I could think about is, if its 40 degrees now when I'm 17, what will it be when I'm 60? Unless of course, we keep pushing for change. System change not climate change.
Indy’s Favourite RSPB reserve…
For my favourite RSPB reserve, I would of course have to say Sherwood Forest, but I also really enjoy visiting Middleton Lakes in Staffordshire.
Indy’s favourite bird…
About Lucy…
Lucy is a self-described nature nerd, naturalist and lover of all things wild. Working in conservation and campaigning, she's passionate about sharing nature joy - connecting people to the weird, freaky, beautiful and funny species we share our lives with through her informal writing.
Why Lucy supports the RSPB…
The people who make up the RSPB; staff, volunteers, members – are the people I owe so much of my journey with nature to. From them I learned so much. The places the RSPB manages are loved by so many people and to see their connections with a place and its nature is magic.
What Lucy says…
For me – nature is everything. It’s inextricable from us as a species, and it’s everything we rely on to survive. It’s also the biggest source of fascination, wonder, joy and love that I know. We’re in a bad situation and if we’re calling this a nature and climate emergency, we need to treat it like one. We must recognise how uncomfortable and difficult change will be, and do it anyway – now and urgently.
Lucy’s Favourite RSPB reserve…
RSPB Coombes Valley – the place I started my first role with the organisation!
Lucy’s favourite bird…
It changes with the seasons, the wind and the weather! Whoever’s singing at any moment could be my favourite. I have a fondness for dippers, swifts, nightjars, kestrels and lapwings. But birds are brilliant and it’s impossible to settle!
About Megan…
Megan is a zoologist, author and wildlife TV presenter on BBC Springwatch, Animal Park and Planet Defenders.
Why Megan supports the RSPB…
To protect and support habitats and biodiversity, everybody needs to get involved. This is one of the reasons why I have always admired the RSPB, due to their ability to enthuse and connect with people, whether that be about bird song on Dawn Chorus Day or engaging in citizen science in the Big Garden Birdwatch. It doesn't matter whether the focus is a blue tit, a starling or a golden eagle, I’m always learning and am more motivated because of the RSPB’s campaigns.
What Megan says…
This morning I took a step outside into the garden and found a red squirrel happily munching away on some peanuts. It stayed for a few seconds before looking up at my grinning face and bounding off into the forest. We share our planet with so many incredible species, but we often forget that we are part of that fragilely interconnected system too. We are the cause of climate change and biodiversity loss, but we can also be the solution - we just have to decide what kind of future we want. We might not have long to do it but that brief encounter with a red squirrel was enough to tell me we still have a lot left to fight for. So let's fight for it together.
Megan’s Favourite RSPB reserve…
I love being by the coast, especially in the spring when the cliffs are covered in millions of seabirds. The sound and activity is utter chaos, but it's so beautiful. Bempton Cliffs is close to home (well, sort of) and that has to be one of my favourite reserves.
Megan’s favourite bird…
Barn owls have been a favourite of mine since I was a little girl, and I still get the same excitement watching them now as I did back then. There's something so majestic about watching them as the sun goes down. It's tricky to choose a favourite, but I'd have to say the barn owl is a strong contender!
About Nadeem…
Nadeem Perera is a wildlife TV presenter, researcher and the co-founder of Flock Together. Nadeem advocates for diversity of perspectives in the conversations surrounding wildlife and social/climate activism in his TV work, as well as engaging future generations through sport.
Why Nadeem supports the RSPB…
I’ve been a member of the RSPB for many years now and am so proud of this fact. Growing up in inner city East London, I was always itching to get out into vast open greenery that would allow my mind to run free and with spaces like RSPB Rainham Marshes and even further away sites like RSPB Arne, I am more than able to achieve that.
What Nadeem says…
The natural world is the only world that exists and the idea that we need to reconnect with it is an illusion. We were never separate from it. Nature is us and we are nature. The fact that we think there is a disconnect is a testament to how ill we as a species have become; we cannot see that by harming the planet and its creations, we are only harming ourselves. Nature is to be loved and cherished as much as we cherish our friends and family. Then we can realise that we are all one big family under the roof of nature and her love.
Nadeem’s Favourite RSPB reserve…
Nadeem’s favourite bird…
The carrion crow. Their intelligence wins me over on a daily basis and I can always relate to being a figure subject to negative connotation when really and truly I'm just black, smart and love hanging out with mates.
About Ollie…
Ollie is the co-founder of Flock Together and founder of social impact creative agency, Futurimpose. Ollie has built social responsibility into every facet of his work, pioneering meaningful ways to enact change and rethink narratives in nature through Flock Together.
Empowering marginalised individuals and communities in all he does, Ollie is passionate about creating new systems and using creativity as problem solving for the next generation.
Why Ollie supports the RSPB…
The RSPB has incredible reach which we saw first-hand through our content collaboration around the origins of bird names. Together, I believe we can make a big difference over the coming years.
What Ollie says…
To attract a much-needed new audience to the conservation space we need to bring innovation and excitement. Why can't nature be sexy? We're here to change that. The time for talking has long passed us by, it's time for fresh new action.
Ollie’s Favourite RSPB reserve…
I like so many of the RSPB reserves I visit but my most recent favourite was RSPB Lake Vyrnwy in Wales for the breath-taking views.
Ollie’s favourite bird…
My favourite bird to see has to be the blue-bellied roller that's native to Gambia, West Africa.
About Samuel...
Samuel is an actor and sometimes a director, and a keen birder for nearly twenty years. Samuel currently plays Siegfried Farnon in All Creatures Great and Small on Channel 5.
Why Samuel supports the RSPB...
Until birds get their act together and organise their own pressure groups, I suppose we’ll just have to do it for them. With nature under unprecedented attack, the RSPB shows those in power what a huge and vocal nature lobby can do to change things.
What Samuel says...
Our two young daughters love nature, and watching birds in particular. But the world they’ll inherit is in trouble. Half of all bird species worldwide are in decline. Biodiversity isn’t just a nice thing to have, it’s essential for the survival of humanity and the planet.
Samuel’s favourite RSPB reserve...
So hard to choose! Honourable mentions to Old Moor, Titchwell and Marazion Marsh, but my favourite has to be Rainham Marshes, until recently under the expert eye of Howard Vaughan and still one of the oldest landscapes in England.
Samuel’s favourite bird…
The dipper. I love its design modifications: solid bones, a swimming-goggle extra eyelid and tiny wing-flicks to help it walk underwater. I also like its fearless hunting habit, throwing itself into the stream like a romantic poet after a bad breakup.
About Steve…
Steve is a broadcaster, Paralympian, public speaker, mentor and coach. RSPB supporters may be most familiar with Steve as a regular correspondent for BBC Countryfile.
In 2005 Steve became paralysed when he fell from a balcony and broke his neck. Soon after, he was introduced to wheelchair rugby and in 2012 he captained Great Britain at the London Paralympic Games.
More recently, Steve has also been given opportunities to indulge his fascination with the natural world and has worked for the BBC, on both Springwatch and Blue Planet UK. In April 2017 he became the latest member of the BBC's Countryfile team. He remarked that “it is worth every flat tyre, every muddy set of hands, every wet lap… I want to be judged on my performance. I’m hoping people will see it’s about ability, not disability.”
Why Steve supports the RSPB…
The RSPB has always had a place in my life. I can remember my dad taking me across their reserves as a young boy, bird book and binoculars in hand. I’ll never forget my excitement as I ticked off what I’d seen. At that age it wasn’t about the rarity of the bird, it was about the variety. Seeing so many different types of bird in different habitats and learning where they fitted in our ecosystem amazed the 10-year-old me.
What Steve says…
I grew up spending a lot of time in the countryside. Rambling through forests and looking for fossils on the beach. Every family outing was an adventure. Trees, seas, and skies all need to be protected so generations can still enjoy the world as I did as a young boy.
Steve’s Favourite RSPB reserve…
Capel Fleet on the Isle of Sheppey. It’s primarily just a viewpoint but its related to so many memories I have from growing up and looking for birds of prey from there with my Dad.
Steve’s favourite bird…
I love birds of prey. Watching the marsh harriers in such high numbers on Sheppey is fantastic.
Dr Elizabeth Andrews MBE DL
Sir David Attenborough OM GCMG CH CVO CBE
Nick Baker
Dr Mike Clarke
Adrian Darby OBE
Ian Darling FRICS OBE
Kate Humble
Miranda Krestovnikoff
Professor Sir John Lawton CBE FRS
The Earl of Lindsay
Sir John Lister-Kaye Bt OBE
Professor Ian Newton OBE FRS FRSE
Bill Oddie OBE
Professor Steve Ormerod FCIEEM FLSW
Chris Packham CBE
Julian Pettifer OBE
Sir Graham Wynne CBE
Baroness Young of Old Scone
