Sir David Attenborough has been at the forefront of global conservation for more than 60 years. As Britain’s most respected broadcaster and naturalist, our President is a tremendous asset to Butterfly Conservation – helping to spread the message of conserving butterflies and moths across the world.
His ground-breaking programmes such a Frozen Planet, Life on Earth and The Living Planet have changed how we view the natural world and played a vital role in shaping the importance we now place on protecting our fragile environment. Sir David pioneered wildlife documentaries - his first nature programme for the BBC was Zoo Quest, which launched in 1954.
His career as Britain’s most important natural history broadcaster was broken in the late 1960s and early 70s by stints as Controller of BBC 2 and as BBC Television’s Director of Programmes. This period saw the commissioning of iconic programmes ranging from Monty Python’s Flying Circus to Match of the Day. Sir David also oversaw the introduction of colour television to the UK. In 1972 he left senior management and returned to programme-making.
- Sir David was knighted in 1985 and was awarded the Order of Merit by the Queen in 2005.
- Sir David became Butterfly Conservation President in 1998.