Hasty Briefsbeta

From Hollywood to horticulture: Cate Blanchett on a mission to save seeds

a day ago
  • #Hollywood
  • #conservation
  • #biodiversity
  • Cate Blanchett, a Hollywood A-lister, is involved in seed conservation at Kew's Millennium Seed Bank (MSB).
  • The MSB houses over 2.5 billion seeds from 40,000 wild plant species globally, stored at -20°C.
  • Originally a 'doomsday vault,' the MSB now focuses on restoring threatened environments worldwide.
  • The seed bank played a role in restoring plants after Australia's 2019 wildfires, which Blanchett found comforting.
  • Blanchett, living near Wakehurst, has become passionate about gardening and seed management.
  • The MSB's work includes projects like restoring rare chalk grasslands on the South Downs.
  • Blanchett describes the MSB as the UK's best-kept secret and a 'good news story' for conservation.