Eden Project

Pollinator profile: David Diaper

As a Pollinator at Eden, David uses demonstrations, walks, talks and tours to tell visitors about the relationship between people and plants in unusual and exciting ways.

David Diaper showing a yellow cashew fruit to two visitors in Eden's rainforest

David specialises in the following subjects:

plant sciences
botany
tropical fruit
apple pressing
microscope work at Freaky Nature.

Q and A

What do you most enjoy doing at Eden?

I enjoy taking small groups of people on short walks through the Biome: this is a great way of engaging them with the wide variety of plants that they would find in their everyday lives but not always realise it.

What does being a Pollinator at Eden mean to you?

Being a Pollinator is very important to me as I feel our team represents the vital link between the exhibits and the visitors that come on site.

Describe the characters you play...

I have been known to dress as a Cloud Dragon and I have also played the part of a Victorian Explorer in our Rainforest Biome during the Rainforest Time Quest. More recently I have been a shopper pushing a trolley around the rainforest, collecting groceries to reaffirm the link between our food and the places it comes from.

What is your favourite thing about Eden?

I love the vibrancy and diversity in all the things that go on at Eden: there is a great feeling of life and community here.

Which is your favourite place in Eden?

There is a small area of grass behind the Core with a really lovely planting of spring bulbs, acers and grasses that is a really enjoyable place to spend time in. It is still in the pit [the main Eden site] but it has a great feeling of being tucked away and secluded. It is also a testament to the skill of our gardeners and landscape team to be able to create such a place in a busy, thriving site like Eden.

Describe your most memorable day at Eden...

Our team represents the vital link between the exhibits and the visitors. David Diaper, Pollinator I would say probably the first day as a Cloud Dragon during one of our Time of Gifts winter seasons. Jumping around on the ice wearing a gigantic dragon's head whilst spewing smoke was an amazing experience and the whole procession it was part of created a magical evening that the visitors loved.