Good Causes

Chris Packham unveils portrait of climate warrior at Eden Project

Environmentalist Chris Packham has unveiled a new mural at The Eden Project depicting the work of eco-warrior Milly Revill Hayward. The portrait, made using CO2-absorbing paint and reused material, celebrates the amazing work of Milly and many others who are tackling climate change with the help of National Lottery funding.

Milly, from RSPB Scotland, was part of The National Lottery-funded Flows to the Future project which restored one of Europe’s largest expanses of bogland in Caithness and Sutherland that had been damaged by forestry. The project, which received £4.6Million of National Lottery funding, involved local people with the habitat and delivered economic benefits for one of the least densely populated areas of Scotland.

Ecosystems like bogland are known as carbon sinks because they are capable of absorbing and storing large amounts of carbon dioxide.

Chris said, “Across the UK, people are doing incredible work to tackle climate change and one such example is Milly, whose fantastic work in Scotland has been beautifully captured through this striking piece of art. It was a privilege to unveil the artwork and I hope this will inspire people across the UK to create or support other environmental projects in their community, as the smallest step can have the biggest impact on the world around us.”

Milly said, “I am honoured to be featured in this beautiful mural, sitting in one of the most important spaces in the world for nature research and conservation. Funding from The National Lottery has been instrumental in the Flows to the Future project, allowing us to restore approximately 7 square miles of blanket bog that have been severely damaged, and as a result key peatland species such as greenshank, golden plover and dunlin have been able to flourish. I hope this artwork inspires others to get involved in initiatives to help protect our environment so future generations can enjoy the natural world for years to come.”

The art work unveiled at the Eden Project is the work of British artist Jody Thomas, who specialises in photorealistic pieces using spray paint. It depicts Milly as well as some of the species flourishing thanks to the Flows to the Future project. The mural’s format mirrors the hexagons making up the surface of the Eden Project’s distinctive biomes.

16th November 2022

The National Lottery has been changing the lives of winners and supporting good causes across the UK since 1994. In that time, there have been more than 7,200 new millionaires created and by playing The National Lottery you raise over £4 million for Good Causes every dayΔ.

Discover more
Please wait