No. 3 Gin rallies behind British juniper conservation

No. 3 London Dry Gin has teamed up with wild plant charity Plantlife to help conserve British juniper and promote its use in gin.

British wild juniper bushes are currently being threatened by an apparent nationwide spread of a fungus-like disease, Phytophthora austrocedrae.

Juniper is the lead botanical in all gins,however No. 3 includes a particularly strong use of the plant, with the Berry Bros. and Rudd gin using just five other botanicals.

As such the brand is supporting the conservation efforts of British juniper through three methods. The company is encouraging site and land owners to apply for one of three £1,000 grants to put towards improving the natural habitat of their land and encourage natural regeneration. Applications are already open and will close on 17 May 2013.

No. 3 is also supporting full funding of the development of a new juniper section on Plantlife’s website, www.plantlife.org, to enable accurate mapping and tracking of juniper throughout the UK.

“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,” said species recovery coordinator at Plantlife Tim Wilkins.

The extinction of the juniper bushes could see a potential extinction of more than 40 species of insect and fungus which would be unable to 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,” Wilkins added.

Additionally, London Dry Gin will also sponsor Plantlife events and membership recruitment activities at outdoor events and shows.

Linda Phillips of No.3, said: “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.”