Ted Turner established the Turner Foundation in 1990 with a vision toward the preservation and conservation of the environment throughout the world.

Turner has always been interested in the totality of the planet. "When I was a kid, I read a lot of books about animals in Africa, about butterflies, birds, whales, plants, flowers, trees, everything. The natural world fascinated me."

Turner believes so emphatically in protecting the environment from further degradation that he views it as no less than, "an effort to ensure the survival of the human species." To that end, the Foundation was created in support of the following efforts:

1. Clean water and toxics reduction.
2. Clean air through improved energy efficiency and renewables.
3. Wildlife habitat protection.
4. The development of equitable practices and policies designed to reduce population growth rates.

The Turner Foundation is a family foundation governed by a Board of Trustees, which is made up by R.E. (Ted) Turner, and Turner's five children -- Laura Turner Seydel, Teddy Turner, Rhett Turner, Beau Turner, and Jennie Turner Garlington.

Turner Foundation, Inc. has given Mr. Turner the opportunity to involve his family and teach them how to become responsible philanthropists and environmentalists. Jennie Turner Garlington, the youngest of the five Turner children describes her experience as "one of the greatest opportunities that any son or daughter can ever hope to have." That sentiment is shared by Garlington's four siblings, who share Turner's same passion for environmental causes. "It's allowed me to do some great things," said Beau Turner. "I think Dad thought it was very, very important to start giving money away while he was still around, so he could see what our interest was in all this. And so he could see his children enjoying the giving."

The Trustees' passion is not only reflected in their involvement in the Foundation, but also in their personal commitments. Laura Turner Seydel, a strong advocate for environmental and women's issues, is actively involved in a number of environmental organizations in Atlanta and nationally and is co-founder of the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper. The same is true for Rhett Turner, whose production company produces wildlife documentaries for such organizations as the National Wildlife Federation.

Teddy Turner, Ted's oldest son, recalls the first vote the Trustees outvoted Ted on, "we thought it was the end of the world. But he thought it was the greatest thing. I think it was part of the transition he wanted - 'Think on your own; do the right thing. Because I'm not always going to be here to tell you what to do.'" When Turner was asked what he wanted the Turner Foundation to do when he's gone, he replied, "I want it to do good, that's all."

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