 Wildlands Philanthropy
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April 22, 2008
Wildlands Philanthropy: The Great American Tradition (Earth Aware Editions, October 2008) by Tom Butler, with a Foreword by Tom Brokaw, is a testament to the bountiful and wide reaching legacy of the American conservation movement. Butler, a seasoned conservationist and author, archives the fascinating history of pioneering nature-oriented philanthropists and the unfolding story of their modern-day counterparts. Butler and world-class landscape photographer Antonio Vizca no take readers on a visually spectacular tour of protected natural areas saved through private initiative by American conservationists. From Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, and over the course of a century, people from all walks of life and every corner of America have used their personal wealth and energy to save wild places. The resulting state and national parks, wildlife refuges, wilderness areas, and private nature sanctuaries are the very embodiment of America the Beautiful. Collectively, these conservation lands enrich the experience of every citizen and yet the crucial role that private philanthropy has played in their creation has been little known and celebrated. Until now. Wildlands Philanthropy is a collection of love stories about people and the land. Butler s essays are as captivating and varied as the wilderness these conservationists have saved. The magnificent images by preeminent Mexican nature photographer Antonio Vizca no reflect his intention to use landscape photography as a medium for raising awareness about the planet s diminishing biodiversity. Wildlands Philanthropy shares the inspiring stories of American heroes: Isaac Wolfe Bernheim arrived in New York City in 1867 a penniless hopeful who started out in America as an itinerant peddler, eventually settled in Kentucky and made his fortune distilling bourbon. He bequeathed thirteen thousand acres of wild Kentucky Knob land near Louisville and offered it to the people of Kentucky, expressing his desire for a free park where no distinction will be shown between rich and poor, white or colored every respectable man, woman and child will be made welcome. Rosalie Barrow Edge, a New York society doyenne, dedicated herself to the womens suffrage movement; after the vote had been won she proceeded to take up the cause of wild hawks who were unprotected and shot for sport. She raised funds to lease and subsequently buy Hawk Mountain, which had been a destination for hawk killers. Today Hawk Mountain Sanctuary forms the nucleus of one of the largest blocks of protected forest in southeastern Pennsylvania. In our own time, philanthropists of both great and modest means, working alone and through land trusts, are protecting natural areas across the U.S. and around the world. Wildlands Philanthropy shares forty examples of this great American tradition, including conservation success stories in eight countries. * * * About The Authors: Tom Butler is an activist and writer focused on wilderness and biodiversity conservation. The former long-time editor of Wild Earth journal, he is a founding board member of the Northeast Wilderness Trust, and the editorial projects director of the Foundation for Deep Ecology. Antonio Vizcaino is a professional nature photographer, editor and conservationist who uses beauty to help foster a new culture that respects the value of nature. He has published twenty books of his photography and is co-founder of the conservation organization America Natural www.americanatural.org
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