Jeff Bezos Contributes $60 Million to Restore U.S. Wildlife Lands
In a significant step toward environmental conservation, Jeff Bezos has announced a $60 million donation from the Bezos Earth Fund to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF). This generous contribution will support the restoration and improved management of 2.7 million acres of land across 47 U.S. states. The initiative focuses on revitalizing critical ecosystems and addressing the decline in the planet’s natural resources. Bezos, speaking at the NFWF’s 40th-anniversary gala, emphasized the importance of restoring the natural environment, a cause he believes has lagged behind other areas of global progress.
Bezos: Restoring the Natural World Is a Global Priority
During the gala, Bezos expressed strong confidence in humanity's ability to overcome environmental challenges. While acknowledging the significant advancements made in the past century, he pointed out that the state of the natural world has worsened compared to the pre-industrial era.
“The world is considerably better today than it was 100 or even 500 years ago,” Bezos remarked. “But when it comes to the environment, we’ve seen a decline. The critical question is: Can we address this one exception to the overall progress we’ve made? And I believe we can.”
Bezos’s optimism reflects his long-standing commitment to environmental causes, and his belief that the human capacity to innovate can solve pressing environmental challenges. He noted that while the issues facing the planet are significant, he remains confident that solutions will be found.
A $60 Million Boost for U.S. Conservation Efforts
The Bezos Earth Fund’s $60 million contribution will be directed to restoring 1.6 million acres of crucial U.S. landscapes. Among the targeted areas are the Northern Great Plains grasslands and the longleaf pine forests of the Southeast. These ecosystems are not only vital for at-risk species but also play a key role in carbon sequestration, making their restoration an important step in combating climate change.
In partnership with the NFWF, the funds will be distributed over the next two years to support between 80 and 100 local projects. These initiatives will focus on Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska in the Northern Great Plains, and Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia within the longleaf pine region.
The projects aim to restore degraded ecosystems, support at-risk species, and enhance carbon storage across these critical regions. This effort continues the Bezos Earth Fund’s commitment to large-scale conservation projects that benefit both the environment and the communities that depend on it.
A Longstanding Partnership with the NFWF
This $60 million pledge builds on previous contributions by the Bezos Earth Fund to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Over the past three years, the Earth Fund has provided $90 million to NFWF, benefiting over 200 local partners across the U.S. Through these efforts, more than 2.7 million acres of land have been restored and managed, an area larger than Yellowstone National Park.
The restoration of these vast landscapes is a critical part of preserving the nation’s biodiversity and supporting efforts to combat climate change. As Bezos explained during the announcement, “America’s landscapes are treasures that reflect the very heart of our country. By restoring these grasslands and forests, we’re safeguarding their natural beauty for future generations.”
Related: CEO Today Top 50 - Jeff Bezos
Greening America’s Cities: A Vision for the Future
In addition to large-scale land restoration projects, the Bezos Earth Fund has also launched the "Greening America's Cities" initiative. Spearheaded by Lauren Sánchez, Vice Chair of the Bezos Earth Fund, the program aims to inspire the next generation to take an active role in preserving green spaces. Sánchez hopes this initiative will encourage young people across the country to develop a passion for environmental stewardship, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the nation’s urban green spaces.
The combined efforts of these initiatives reflect the Bezos Earth Fund’s comprehensive approach to environmental restoration, focusing not only on rural landscapes but also on urban environments. These projects are designed to ensure that future generations inherit a planet that is not only livable but thriving.
A Commitment to the Planet’s Future
The $60 million contribution to the NFWF underscores Jeff Bezos’s dedication to addressing environmental challenges on a large scale. By focusing on land restoration, at-risk species, and carbon sequestration, the Bezos Earth Fund is playing a crucial role in preserving the planet’s natural resources.
As Bezos continues to push for progress in environmental conservation, his efforts highlight the importance of collaborative projects that bring together governments, local communities, and private organizations. Through this collective action, the vision of a restored and thriving natural world can become a reality.
