The Nature Conservancy Announces the Creation of the Senator Bill and Tracy Frist Initiative for Planetary and Human Health
Media Contacts
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Angela Campbell
The Nature Conservancy
Mobile: + 1 (571) 279-5598
Email: angela.campbell@tnc.org
The health of people and the planet are deeply interconnected. Every breath of fresh air, sip of clean water, and bite of nourishing food illustrates this fact. As the world’s ecosystems are impacted by climate change, so are people’s health and well-being.
Recognizing this intersection of human health, climate and environmental conservation, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is establishing the Senator Bill and Tracy Frist Initiative for Planetary and Human Health, made possible by their generous $1 million donation. This transformative initiative will significantly accelerate TNC’s position within the planetary health community.
"The climate crisis is undeniably a health crisis, and solutions for climate and nature can be solutions for health as well,” said Katharine Hayhoe, chief scientist at The Nature Conservancy. “I am incredibly grateful for the support from Senator Frist, TNC’s global board chair, and Tracy Frist, trustee of TNC in Tennessee. Their gift will enable TNC to integrate a health perspective into our work for the benefit of both people and the planet."
The Frist Initiative for Planetary and Human Health will bring together a team of global scientists with backgrounds in medicine, social epidemiology, public health, anthropology, and health economics, who will collaborate to address critical issues ranging from mental health and infectious diseases to food security and health policy.
This interdisciplinary team will leverage their collective expertise and networks to tackle the interconnected challenges facing planetary health, climate action, and conservation. Their work will directly support TNC’s 2030 goals, ensuring a healthier planet and improved well-being for communities worldwide. One of those key goals is to integrate human health outcomes into all conservation work by 2030.
“Tracy and I are deeply honored to launch this initiative to bridge through science and execution, the essential connection between a healthy planet and healthy people,” said Senator Bill and Tracy Frist. “Through innovative collaboration a bold action we are committed to creating lasting solutions that promote the well-being of people by ensuring a healthy planet we all share.”
The Frist Initiative for Planetary and Human Health represents an important step forward in TNC’s mission to create a world where nature and people thrive together. Through this initiative, TNC will continue to lead the way in integrating health and environmental strategies to achieve sustainable and impactful outcomes.
For more information, please contact: Angela Campbell, senior media relations manager of The Nature Conservancy, at angela.campbell@tnc.org.
The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. The Nature Conservancy is working to make a lasting difference around the world in 81 countries and territories (40 by direct conservation impact and 41 through partners) through a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit nature.org or follow @nature_press on X.