Billionaire Philanthropist Hansjorg Wyss Puts $35 Million Toward Conservation In Western Montana

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Hansjorg Wyss: Swiss Billionaire Puts $35 Million Toward Conservation In Western Montana



BILLINGS, Mont. — Philanthropist Hansjorg Wyss grew up in Switzerland and now spends the bulk of his time outside Philadelphia, but it is the wild landscapes of the Rocky Mountains where he could leave his most lasting mark.

In recent years the publicity-shy billionaire has quietly donated tens of millions of dollars to the preservation of pristine areas of Idaho, Nevada, Utah and other states.

Now, what appears to be his most ambitious project to date has come to fruition as conservation groups this month closed a deal to purchase vast tracts of Plum Creek Timber Co. land in western Montana. Backers say the deal – which included $35 million in donations from Wyss – could shield an estimated one million acres from future development.

In an exclusive interview with The Associated Press, Wyss, 75, said he first became enamored of the Rockies as a college student who toured the region in 1958. And he defended his actions against those who chafe at the prospect of an outsider buying up land that in some cases has been logged, ranched or farmed for generations.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/14/hansjorg-wyss-swiss-billi_n_796759.html

[tabatha]

1. News like this makes my day.

Wonderful.

[JDPriestly]

2. This is great news.

[provis99]

3. why don't we raise his taxes 3% and save the whole country?

not just some piddly acreage that he's interested in.