Over 20% of all employees were women, including leadership roles held by womenĢ50,000 native plants propagated, noticeably returning biodiversity to the formerly-agricultural land within months More than 500 people earned certifications from local university for trade skills learned through their employment The campus impact at the end of 2022 includes: It supports African-led conservation science, responsible tourism, the environment, the longterm health of the Fossey Fund, and the needs of the surrounding community. The effects of the campus reach beyond gorillas. The campus increased Fossey Fund’s classroom capacity by 300% and their laboratory space by 500%. Construction created over 2,400 jobs – many during the challenges of Covid – and shattered norms with the high percentage of women employed. Nearly a quarter-million local trees were planted. It’s vast - covering 12 acres adjacent to Volcano National Park in northern Rwanda, with more than 45,000 square feet of building space such as state-of-the-art laboratories, a scientific conservation library, student housing, a meeting space for large groups, and interactive exhibits to inspire a lifetime of gorilla conservation. The technologically-advanced, sustainable campus - which houses students and scientists, not gorillas - is officially called The Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, and is now open for visitors. With broad and early support from The Ellen Fund, the Fossey Fund has built a campus for gorilla conservation that serves as their permanent headquarters. But they’ve never had their own permanent home. With over five successful decades in the field, The Fossey Fund has never left the gorillas … not through the genocide, and not through a pandemic. So in 2018, The Ellen Fund was founded - as a gift form Portia to Ellen - with an initial focus on supporting Dian’s mission to save the the magnificent mountain gorillas through The Fossey Fund. Her childhood hero was, in fact, legendary gorilla conservationist Dian Fossey. Ellen DeGeneres and Jeff Kleeman executive produced for A Very Good Production.Ellen DeGeneres has always used her voice to stand up for those in need. “Saving the Gorillas” is directed by Abigail Harper and executive produced by Christopher Collins, Lydia Tenaglia, and Craig H. “Saving the Gorillas” also marks a new genre for the talk show host, as she is primarily associated with comedy. In 2020, toward the end of its 22-season run, “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” became mired in controversy with allegations of mistreatment and misconduct behind the scenes. This documentary marks DeGeneres’s return to television after her long running self-titled talk show came to an end in May 2022. “Their impact on conservation and the immediate community in Rwanda is an inspiration for all.” Shepherd, executive vice president at Zero Point Zero Production. “We are so thrilled to partner with Ellen, Portia, and their team to bring this amazing Gorilla conservation journey to life on screen,” said Craig H. The documentary showcases the challenges that went along with this large-scale project, including earthquakes and COVID-19. The journey began as a birthday gift from DeGeneres’s wife, Portia de Rossi, and turned into a far larger endeavor as they delved into architectural and landscaping plans to bring the campus to life. “There’s nothing that keeps you more present, more in the moment, than sitting with gorillas.” “Every single thing has led me to just have a big enough platform to say, ‘Look at work Dian Fossey did,’” DeGeneres says.
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