British wild juniper bushes are facing threat from a fungus-like disease that appears to be spreading nationwide, according to Berry's.
The brand’s support works on three levels:
- three £1,000 grants aimed at site managers and landowners of existing juniper sites who wish to improve their habitat for juniper and encourage natural regeneration. People can start to apply for grants immediately, with a deadline of May 17 2013;
- full funding of the development of a new juniper section on Plantlife’s website which will enable the accurate mapping and ongoing tracking of juniper in the UK;
- sponsoring Plantlife events and membership recruitment activities at outdoor events and shows.
Tim Wilkins, species recovery coordinator at Plantlife, said: “Juniper has been steadily declining over the last few decades and without action now, it actually faces extinction across much of lowland England within 50 years. That would represent more than the loss of a single plant type - it supports more than 40 species of insect and fungus that just cannot survive without it. Plantlife have launched various juniper conservation projects across the UK but, especially with this new fungus threat, we’re absolutely thrilled that No.3 is bolstering our efforts in these ways.”
Linda Phillips, of No.3, added: “Juniper is very much at the heart of No.3, so it’s entirely appropriate that we support Plantlife’s activities in these ways. Their work in this area of conservation is second to none and we’re hopeful of healthy days ahead for British juniper.”
No. 3 was created 3 years ago to ‘taste as gin should’, without the use of an excessive amount of ingredients, which the company says 'characterise many modern gins'. No.3 features six botanicals and sources its juniper from Italy.
