Ted Turner championed the land; Captain Planet Foundation carries the torch
By: Atlanta News First
Ted Turner’s impact as a media visionary continues to influence environmental action through the Captain Planet Foundation, a nonprofit organization inspired by the 1990s animated series “Captain Planet & the Planeteers.” Founded by Turner and Barbara Pyle, the show’s message to empower youth to solve real-world environmental problems lives on through the foundation’s work. President Leesa Carter-Jones said the organization’s roots in entertainment have helped it engage new generations in sustainability, with many adults recalling how the cartoon influenced their career paths.
For over 30 years, the Captain Planet Foundation has funded sustainability projects in schools and communities across the United States. Initiatives like Project Learning Garden have established living laboratories in more than 800 schools in 43 states, while the Green Heart STEM Challenge engages middle school students in problem-solving and project development. Finalists in these programs receive mentorship and funding to turn their ideas into reality, fostering hands-on learning and leadership.
The foundation’s reach extends globally through the Planeteer Alliance, which works with young people ages 10 to 25 to support and train future changemakers. Although Turner, also known for his conservation efforts and extensive land ownership, recently passed away, Leesa Carter-Jones emphasized that his legacy endures. “Today’s a tremendous loss that he is no longer on this planet with us. But the work continues,” she said, underscoring the lasting influence of Turner’s vision for youth-driven environmental change.