Field Research Facility

Fighting the challenges of pests and diseases

The number of pests and diseases entering the UK is growing which means it has never been more important to increase our scientific understanding of them. The RHS is the only organisation focused specifically on the needs of the gardener and on the new challenges they face today, such as the lily beetle (Lilioceris lilii) pictured above.

Our environmentally-friendly new centre will help researchers to quickly identify organisms and establish their significance for gardeners. It will also allow us to report the appearance and spread of new pests and diseases to DEFRA (the government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), providing an early warning system that benefits all gardeners.

We need your help

The centre will cost £600,000 to build but we still need to raise £50,000, so every donation will really help us to turn our vision in to a reality.

Roger Williams, Head of Science at the RHS says: 'The exciting new field research facility will transform the way we work, improving the support we can provide to gardeners in their battles against pests and diseases. I would like to thank everyone who has made a donation to the appeal so far and I look forward to seeing the new centre up and running.'

Make a donation
Every donation, whatever the amount, will make a huge difference in helping us to reach our target. All supporters who donate £100 or more by 10 April 2012 will be entered into a draw to win an exciting behind the scenes look at the new centre with our Science team. 40 winners will be picked to attend the event, with a guest, on 9 and 10 May 2012.

• Make a donation online or
• Send a cheque made payable to ‘Royal Horticultural Society’ with your membership number and 'Field Research Facility' written on the reverse to:

RHS Development Office
80 Vincent Square
London
SW1P 2PE

Thank you for your interest in the Field Research Facility. Find out more information about our science work.

Reg charity no. 222879/SC038262

Terms & Conditions

1. Donations over £100 must be received by 10 April 2012 in order to be entered in to the draw.

2. The draw will take place on 12 April 2012 and winners will be contacted by post.

3. All winners invited to the event on 9 and 10 May 2012 may invite one guest to accompany them.