2nd February 2017: The Linnean Society of London awarded £2,500 gift from the Patron's Fund

Published on 2nd February 2017

The Linnean Society of London is delighted to be receiving a £2,500 gift from The Patron’s Fund, this fund set up to acknowledge the work of the charitable organisations for which Her Majesty, The Queen acts as a Patron, on the occasion of her 90th birthday.

Around £750,000 is being distributed between nearly 300 charities and other organisations in the UK and the Commonwealth. The Fund received generous donations from a range of supporters, including individual donors, businesses, schools, community groups and the proceeds from The Patron’s Lunch, the event on the Mall last June.

We are truly delighted and honoured to receive this generous gift from the Patron’s Fund, which will allow the Society to display creative educational resources, including OneZoom’s novel ‘Tree of Life’ as well as a natural science video series the Society is currently generating, to engage and inspire members of the public and students with scientific principles and methodology about the natural world. Since the Prince Regent (later George IV) became the Linnean Society’s Patron with ‘extreme pleasure and happiness’, every British Monarch has been Patron of The Linnean Society, the longest period being served by HM Queen Elizabeth II.  The possibilities that the gift facilitates will act as a fitting legacy of Her Majesty’s 90th birthday.

Professor Simon Hiscock, Linnean Society Trustee and Chairman of the Education Committee.

Fun Palaces

For 225 years, the Linnean Society has been at the forefront of scientific discovery and advancement, most notably Darwin and Wallace’s theory of Evolution, promoting study of all aspects of the biological sciences, with an emphasis on reaching out to future biologists. The Linnean Society’s educational resources to date have predominantly focused on the National Curriculum for those enrolled in study. Education, however, should not be limited to students in school or at university. Instead, learning should encompass the entire population, from the general public to specialist scientists. 

The Linnean Society has recently begun an extensive engagement programme, exhibiting at science festivals and events, inspiring the public by providing hands-on experience with scientific techniques and principles. By placing the public at the centre of its work, the Society will reflect the significant public value of Her Majesty’s patronage of the Linnean Society, while acknowledging the Patron’s Fund Gift.  

The Patron’s Fund is very pleased to be able to support The Linnean Society of London with its valuable work. The Linnean Society of London is among hundreds of organisations for which The Queen acts as a Patron, which between them make a difference to causes and communities in the UK and throughout the Commonwealth.

Sir Stuart Etherington, Chair of The Board of Trustees for The Patron’s Fund.

Cambridge Biology Day

The Linnean Society of London is the world’s oldest active biological society. Founded in 1788, the Society takes its name from the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus (1707–1778) whose botanical, zoological and library collections have been in its keeping since 1829. As it moves into its third century the Society continues to play a central role in the documentation of the world’s flora and fauna – as Linnaeus himself did – recognising the continuing importance of such work to biodiversity conservation. The Linnean Society encourages and communicates scientific advances through its three world-class journals, special publications and events, while reaching out to future biologists through schools and educational programmes.

The Linnean Society of London

Burlington House, Piccadilly, London, W1J 0BF, UK | Telephone: +44 (0)20 7434 4479 | Email: info@linnean.org

For further information on The Patron’s Fund (Registered Charity No. 1164171), email info@thepatronsfund.org.uk or visit www.thepatronsfund.org.uk