According to his spokesperson, Mr. Ma was aware of the environmental history in the Adirondacks. After industries such as logging and mining have forever changed the land and wildlife, the Adirondacks could always use more conservation. Currently, there is an existing logging operation in Brandon Park, which Ma plans to halt. Ma has an incredible history of conservation efforts in China and is the chairman of China's The Nature Conservancy board. While he could completely focus on his own country, he considers the Adirondacks a priority in protecting.
His spokesperson released this statement: "This international land purchase reflects Jack’s belief that we all inhabit the same planet and we all breathe the same air, so we are dependent on each other for our collective future."
I love the idea that even someone in China, who runs one of the top e-commerce countries in the world and has taken on the challenge of protecting land in his own country, can see the importance and beauty of conserving the Adirondacks.
Brandon Park
References:
http://www.wsj.com/articles/alibabas-jack-ma-buys-23-million-property-in-new-yorks-adirondacks-1435155612
http://www.businessinsider.com/jack-ma-buys-adirondacks-property-for-23-million-2015-6
http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/real-estate/china-richest-man-buys-28-100-acres-adirondacks-article-1.2271087
This is really interesting! I've definitely heard of Alibaba, but had no idea the head of the company was such a conservationist. Pretty cool that of all the places in the world, his first international conservation effort was in the Adirondacks, and its not even a national park! Also really cool that he plans on ending logging operations there, I wonder how exactly he will do that and what logging company will be affected.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first heard of the purchase, it was definitely very surprising. I had never even heard of the Adirondacks before I came to Hamilton despite living a state away. Yet a billionaire from China has made an initiative to protect a piece of wilderness that is right in our back yards essentially. Hopefully this brings more attention to the importance of conservation in the Adirondacks.
ReplyDeleteas awesome as this is, and it is (the Park will definitely immediately be in a better place). I can't help but being skeptical (or maybe just cynical) about the idea of billionaires investing so much in something they are so distanced from. Jack Ma, however good is intentions, does not and cannot possibly understand the inner works of a park as vast as the Adirondacks. And with more money comes more attention, and with more attention comes more decision making power from him. ONE PERSON with a disproportionate amount of say in a park that affects countless. But, maybe that's also a detrimental way to look at things...
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