Australian-born Hollywood actor and film producer, Cate Blanchett, has become the first dedicated ambassador for Wakehurst, a nature reserve in West Sussex.

Wakehurst, which is managed by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, made the announcement today, in celebration of Earth Day.

The wild botanic garden, which is home to Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank, says the Oscar-winning actress was “delighted” to accept the invitation.

Blanchett, who is known as a regular visitor to the gardens, says: “I am delighted to be Wakehurst’s inaugural ambassador.

“I find the work done here to be utterly inspiring, and a genuine insurance policy against extinction of wild flora and fauna. The Millennium Seed Bank is a beacon of hope and international cooperation at a time when we’ve never needed it more.”

Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank is believed to be the world’s largest store of seeds from wild plant species.

She goes on to say: “Wakehurst is such a beautiful place to lose yourself in nature, in the immense varieties of trees, plants and grasses.

“I want to help spread the word about this unique and stunning landscape that positively impacts all of our lives.”

Late last year Kew published its State of the World’s Plants and Fungi 2023 report, revealing three in four undescribed plants are already threatened with extinction.