John Denver was a renaissance man. He loved music, he loved adventure, he loved flying, and he loved, protected, and supported the environment. Frankly, this comes as no surprise given that most of his music revolves around the beautiful scenery Mother Earth provides. However, his affinity for the environment goes far beyond his songs, as the man was also an active environmentalist who founded numerous non-profit foundations.
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When it comes to Denver and nature, people likely think of his songs “Rocky Mountain High,” “Calypso,” and “Catch Another Butterfly.” While these songs are beautiful, the words in them aren’t just meaningless poetry. Rather, they wholeheartedly articulate how Denver felt about and viewed the environment. Hence, it is no surprise that the man bent over backwards in order to protect and provide for the very thing that brought him copious amounts of joy.
Why John Denver Wasn’t Just Another Celebrity Philanthropist
When the words “philanthropist” and “celebrity” are put together, there is often a scrutinizing notion that follows. Many people think that celebrities who invest in charities simply do so for the clout, and not for the actual intention of bringing some good into the world. Now, that is up for debate, but not when it comes to John Denver.
John Denver founded two non-profit environmental foundations. First off, Denver founded the Windstar Foundation, which aimed to educate the general public about the importance of sustainability. Sadly, the foundation closed in 2012. In addition to the Windstar Foundation, Denver also founded Plant-It 2020 in 1992. In short, Plant-It 2020 is a tree planting organization that revitalizes degraded forests. The foundation is still active to this day.
Both of these actions flew under the radar, and seemingly, Denver wanted it that way. However, one charitable endeavor that didn’t fly under the radar was Denver’s 1990 album, Earth Songs, which had all of its proceeds donated to the National Wildlife Federation.
Concerning his affinity for sustainability, Denver stated, “I want to inspire people to make a better world and a healthier environment. My songs…have to do with taking responsibility for the world we want to create,” per Today In Conservation.
So, while you likely remember John Denver for his hit songs, you should also try to remember him for his unwavering commitment to the big blue ball we call home. Needless to say, John Denver was a phenomenal musician and exemplary public figure.
Photo by Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns
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