\u201cNature doesn\u2019t recognize borders,\u201d Walton said in a press release. \u201cTo protect ecosystems, we need international cooperation, innovative leadership and a skilled workforce.\u201d<\/p>\n
Walton\u2019s donation was announced Monday during a \u201cClimate Week\u201d event at the Concordia annual summit<\/a> in New York City.<\/p>\n The donation was made as part of the university\u2019s Changing Futures campaign<\/a>, which was launched in April and runs until June 30, 2029. The goal of the campaign is to \u201cprepare future leaders to solve the complex challenges facing society every day,\u201d according to ASU.<\/p>\n Along with creating the new school, Walton\u2019s donation will also be used to:<\/p>\n \u201cIt is a worthy honor for all that Rob has done,\u201d Crow said. \u201cHis long-standing support has been critically important to ASU\u2019s leadership and growth in sustainability.\u201d<\/p>\n Walton and his wife, Melani, have been supporting ASU since 2006<\/a>, when they joined the board of directors for sustainability at ASU.<\/p>\n Since then, the couple has made several donations to the university, including a $27.5 million donation in 2012<\/a> to help accelerate sustainability efforts. ASU\u2019s Center for Planetary Health was named after the Waltons in 2019<\/a> due to their commitment to the university.<\/p>\n The couple also donated $5 million to the Arizona Humane Society in 2022<\/a>. The society\u2019s Papago Park campus<\/a> is named in their honor.<\/p>\n What programs will be offered at the Rob Walton School of Conservation Futures?<\/p>\n The School of Conservation Futures will offer graduate and undergraduate degrees and will work with employers in the conservation industry to create pathways into the workforce, according to ASU.<\/p>\n The university also plans for the school to offer certificates and credentials that will be tailored for jobs in conservation organizations, government agencies and other related companies and industries.<\/p>\n ASU will also launch the Conservation Futures Academy later this year, which will offer training programs and certificates for high school students, working students and corporate executives. The program will aim to help all of those people learn how to lead conservation efforts in their communities and around the world.<\/p>\n Walton wants his new school at ASU to allow students to gain tools, knowledge and networks that will help them take conservation efforts to new levels.<\/p>\n \u201cStudents bring fresh ideas, energy and innovation. They\u2019re the next generation of leaders, researchers and advocates,\u201d Walton said in a media release<\/a>. \u201cBy getting involved now \u2014 through research, advocacy or fieldwork \u2014 they gain the skills to drive real change. We need their voices and commitment to sustain a healthy planet.\u201d<\/p>\n Who is Rob Walton?<\/p>\n Walton is the eldest son of Walmart founder Sam Walton and ran the retail giant from 1992, when his father died, until his retirement in 2015.<\/p>\n He remained on Walmart\u2019s Board of Directors until 2024. The company is now run by his son-in-law, Greg Penner<\/a>.<\/p>\n In 2022, Walton led a group that purchased the NFL\u2019s Denver Broncos for $4.7 billion. He transferred controlling ownership of the franchise to Penner in 2023.<\/p>\n According to Forbes<\/a>, Walton and his family have a net worth of more than $120 billion, which ranks as the 13th highest in the world, as of Tuesday.<\/p>\n Walton is the Chair of the Board for African Parks Foundation, USA<\/a>, a conservation nonprofit that works to protect 23 parks in 13 countries in Africa.<\/p>\n He is also a member of the board of directors for Conservation International<\/a>, which works to protect natural areas around the world.<\/p>\n Follow @J_Vinton52<\/a><\/p>\n We want to hear from you.<\/p>\n Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n
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