Arizona State University (ASU) is set to redefine conservation science and education with the establishment of the Rob Walton School of Conservation Futures, following a historic $115 million donation from Rob Walton, former chairman of Walmart. This significant gift, the largest in ASU's history, marks a new phase for sustainability initiatives at the university, with the school scheduled to commence operations in late 2025.
The Rob Walton School of Conservation Futures aims to cultivate a new generation of leaders equipped to address pressing global environmental challenges. The school will provide a variety of training programs and certificates designed for diverse audiences, including high school students, working professionals, and corporate executives. These offerings are intended to build essential conservation skills and create direct career pathways within the environmental sector, with future plans to incorporate graduate and undergraduate degrees.
In recognition of this transformative contribution, ASU's College of Global Futures will be renamed the Rob Walton College of Global Futures. ASU President Michael Crow highlighted Walton's crucial role in advancing the university's sustainability endeavors, noting that his consistent support has been instrumental in ASU's leadership and growth in this critical field. The Conservation Futures Academy will serve as the inaugural program, offering specialized credentials for conservation organizations and government agencies, aligning with the global objective to protect 30% of terrestrial and marine habitats by 2030.
This substantial donation reflects a broader trend in philanthropic giving toward higher education, where donors increasingly seek tangible, real-world impact. Walton's commitment to conservation and sustainability at ASU extends beyond this recent gift; he and his wife, Melani, previously established the Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Fund in 2012 with a $27.5 million donation and were honored in 2019 when ASU renamed its Center for Planetary Health in their name. The new school's curriculum will integrate diverse knowledge systems and foster partnerships with conservation organizations, government agencies, and local communities to develop scalable solutions for a thriving planet.