In 2016, Burt's Bees co-founder gave US 87,500 acres; now it's a monument
Roxanne Quimby, the visionary behind Burt's Bees, initially embraced a life of artistic expression and sustainability before venturing into the business world. After partnering with Burt Shavitz, they created a beloved range of beeswax products. Motivated by her love for nature, Quimby invested her earnings into the conservation of Maine's forests, acquiring extensive land despite pushback from…
In 2016, Roxanne Quimby, co-founder of Burt's Bees, gifted 87,500 acres of woodland in Maine to the United States government, which subsequently transformed into the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. Born with a thirst for adventure and a desire to live a self-sufficient life, Roxanne and her husband George bought a plot of land in Guilford, Maine, in the early 1980s.
After seven years of living off the grid, Roxanne felt the need for a more stimulating environment to provide her twins with a proper education. It was during this time that she crossed paths with Burt Shavitz, who would later become her business partner and the inspiration behind Burt's Bees lip balm. The company's success led Roxanne to purchase land in Maine, eventually planning to create a national park in the region.
In 2016, she donated the vast majority of her land holdings to the U.S. government, valued at $60 million and accompanied by a $20 million endowment. The monument, established on the occasion of the National Park Service's centennial, aimed to preserve the natural beauty and cultural heritage of Maine's North Woods.
Written by urgent.news from Times of India's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
