How Holistic Land Management Inspires, Keeps Hope Alive

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Still fishing: Turner helps unhook a fish.
Still fishing: Turner helps unhook a fish.
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Bison at the Flying D Ranch in Montana, one of the Turner properties.
Bison at the Flying D Ranch in Montana, one of the Turner properties.
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An ardent nature lover since childhood, Beau Turner has turned that passion into amazing conservation work.
An ardent nature lover since childhood, Beau Turner has turned that passion into amazing conservation work.
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A new generation of nature lovers gets up close to the outdoors at the Beau Turner Youth Conservation Center.
A new generation of nature lovers gets up close to the outdoors at the Beau Turner Youth Conservation Center.
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Budding fishermen and women make the most of a gorgeous day at the Beau Turner Youth Conservation Center pond.
Budding fishermen and women make the most of a gorgeous day at the Beau Turner Youth Conservation Center pond.
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A lavender sunset at the Flying D Ranch.
A lavender sunset at the Flying D Ranch.

Reed Beauregard Turner (or Beau, as he is universally known) is one of the most influential and proactive conservationists in the world. He has been charged with the task of acquiring more than 2 million acres (spread out over 21 properties in 12 states in North America and three in Argentina), and then deciding where the millions of dollars allocated to research, restoration and land management programs will be spent on those properties. Turner serves as chairman of the trustees for the Turner Endangered Species Fund and director of natural resources for Turner Enterprises, Inc., positions where he is regularly part of the global discussion about how to balance care for the planet with political and economic agendas.

Discovering a Passion

Despite his heavy workload, however, Beau’s approach to life and work remain firmly rooted in a simple lesson he learned at the age of 5.

“It all goes back to the land.” He says, “I spent most of my time outdoors as a kid, hunting and fishing with my dad and other mentors.” “I can still remember the day I caught my first fish at the age of five. From that moment on, I knew what I wanted to do. I wanted to protect the land and the animals on it.”

Oddly enough, Beau never thought he would be working with or for his father, media mogul Ted Turner.

  • Published on Jan 15, 2010
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