Arizona State University (ASU) has received the largest philanthropic gift in its history — a $115 million donation from the Rob Walton Foundation, to establish the Rob Walton School of Conservation Futures.
The new school will be housed within the Rob Walton College of Global Futures and aims to transform global conservation science, education, and workforce development.
Building a New Era of Conservation Science
The school will offer undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as certificate programs, focused on biodiversity, conservation science, and adaptive ecosystem management. Students will have the opportunity to collaborate with:
- Local and global NGOs
- Governments and policymakers
- Indigenous communities
- Private-sector partners
The goal is to create holistic conservation strategies that combine traditional knowledge with cutting-edge research, ensuring solutions that are both innovative and culturally grounded.
“Rob Walton’s longstanding support has been critically important to ASU’s leadership and growth in sustainability,” said ASU President Michael Crow. “He shares our institutional belief that there is an urgent need to tackle the challenges facing our planet — and an incredible opportunity to discover solutions through collaboration, creativity, and resources.”
Key Components of the Initiative
The investment will fund a range of initiatives designed to strengthen conservation science and leadership:
- 🌍 The Rob Walton Chair: A new leadership role to guide the school.
- 🎓 Three Named Professorships: To advance research and education in conservation.
- 💡 The Rob Walton Scholars Fund: Full and partial scholarships to support students committed to environmental leadership.
“Nature doesn’t recognize borders,” said Rob Walton, philanthropist, conservationist, and former Walmart chairman. “To protect ecosystems, we need international cooperation, innovative leadership, and a skilled workforce.”
A Global Vision for Positive Impact
The institution is designed to spark cross-sector collaboration and shape adaptive solutions to protect ecosystems under pressure from climate change, deforestation, and biodiversity loss.
Peter Schlosser, ASU vice president and vice provost of Global Futures, emphasized the school’s bold mission: “Through its central mission of transforming conservation education for a thriving planetary future, this new academic entity is not just preserving ecosystems — it is developing adaptive solutions to ensure sustainable pathways for future generations.”
Conservation International chairman emeritus Peter Seligmann echoed this global perspective: “Solving the planet’s greatest conservation challenges requires the wisdom, innovation, and leadership of people from all corners of the world.”
Why This Matters
This historic gift has the potential to shape conservation far beyond the university.
By educating new generations of leaders, funding groundbreaking research, and supporting global cooperation, the Rob Walton School of Conservation Futures can help:
- Protect biodiversity and ecosystems worldwide
- Create equitable and sustainable conservation strategies
- Foster partnerships that bridge science, culture, and policy
- Inspire innovation that ensures a thriving planet for generations to come
At a time when climate and ecological challenges feel increasingly urgent, this initiative offers hope and a concrete path forward.
