Growing up in rural Louisiana, the ecosystem around our home wove harmoniously into our family and into our daily life. Every life lesson that trickled its way into my being came from a mutually respectful relationship between the environment and my family.
Ian SomerhalderI was pretty shocked to learn that as many as 30,000 elephants are being killed every year to fuel the ivory trade, despite an international ban since 1989, and that 60% of forest elephants have already been wiped out. At this rate, experts say populations will become extinct in the next decade. No one needs ivory.
Ian SomerhalderThe sanctuary would be the epicenter for the foundation. We'll have think tanks there. It's going to be a really, really amazing place. As an educational home base, we will also focus on the development of sustainable agriculture initiative. It's a huge project but one I am exceptionally passionate about.
Ian SomerhalderLooking around the world at these wildlife, it's abundantly clear that humans have benefited from nature in so many ways but have also brought many species to the brink of extinction...The American people that I interact with through my IS Foundation work do not want to allow this to happen; they do not want to let these species go without a fight; and they see the way in which nature provides for people around the world.
Ian Somerhalder