Historical figures like Winston Churchill will soon be replaced by native wildlife on UK banknotes.
In a public consultation run by the Bank of England, the theme of nature came out on top. The exact plants and animals that will be on the notes will be chosen later this year.
“Nature is more than just scenery, it is the living thread that binds our landscapes, our history, and our future together,” says Scottish wildlife filmmaker Gordon Buchanan, who is part of an expert panel that has compiled the list, which is currently open to votes from the public. “To protect nature is to protect the quiet, resilient heartbeat of the land itself.”
Not only could the new notes inspire wildlife conservation, they’re also well positioned to protect the economy.
“The key driver for introducing a new banknote series is always to increase counterfeit resilience,” says Victoria Cleland, chief cashier at the Bank of England.
