One of the most important legacies I think Queen Elizabeth II is creating is an ambitious aim to create a global network of portected forests, spanning all 53 countries of the Commonwealth.

At 9pm on ITV3 on Sunday 23 August 2020 at 9pm, there's a chance to see the documentary about it again. 

It also features a wonderful conversation between Her Majesty and Sir David Attenborough as they stroll through the gardens of Buckingham Palace.   Their discussion covers a range of subjects from climate change to conkers!

There's also footage of the other royal family members making the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy a reality. 

"Together our forests will thrive," says the project's website.

The project protects woodlands across the Comomonwealth.   Princes William and Harry and Angelina Jolie all appear - the Princes are planting trees in Canada's Great Bear Rainforest. 

The highlight however must surely be the conversation between two legends - Her Majesty the Queen and Sir David Attenborough.  Bless them both.

Do take a look at the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy project website and take a look at the map showing where the project is at work.  And look at the projects too - 45 countries have now joined in, with Bermuda joining in March 2020. 

There are a number of charities working for the conservation of the Great Bear Rainforest and they are:

PacificWild working to protect wildlife and their habitat and they have some interesting campaigns including stopping tankers on the north and central coast

The Nature Conservancy - do watch their film about the Great Bear Rainforest

Raincoast Conservation Foundation work to ensure that coastal grizzlies continue their presence as the top carnivore and apex predator in the coastal rainforest. 

The 19^th August is International Orangutan Day and there are some very good ways in which you can help orangutans.

Why?  Because the orangutan’s forest is being destroyed so that palm oil plantations can be created in their place.

The Iceland advert was banned for being too political but it’s worth looking at because it shows exactly what we are doing to orangutan’s habitat.

1. Donate

The Orangutan Foundation are looking to save 300 acres for orangutans and you can donate to help them do this here.

The Orangutan Foundation International based in Australia is also looking for donations.

2. Change your buying habits

The Orangutan Foundation International has information on palm oil and how to spot when it is in products you might buy. I’m doing this and looking to decrease my use of palm oil as much as possible.

Look at your normal shopping list and then take a look at  Ethical Consumer’s guide to palm oil – they have a list of the worst offenders when it comes to palm oil.  If you currently buy from the list of worst offenders, you don’t have to go without – just swap them for another product made by a different company. 

On More4 (17 August 2020 at 9pm) there's a programme called Inside the Zoo - Down Under.

The programme focuses on how vets from the Taronga Zoo tried to save wildlife as large bushfires devastated Australia.

Find out how the Zoo helps conservation and what you can do to help Act for the Wild here

Have you seen pictures of the flooding in the UK today?

Parts of the M25 were flooded causing chaos but more worrying for me is the report from Animals Asia and their rescue bears in China who are also affected by flooding. 

As if they didn't have enough to contend with, bears in China (and the people, of course) are facing many flooding, as the above report shows.

You can find out more here but please follow #AnimalsAsia on their social media channels.

Donations to them are always welcome :-)