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On June 10, New York City's
philanthropic, business, and
conservation communities gathered at the
Wildlife Conservation Society's (WCS)
annual gala Wednesday evening at the
Central Park Zoo, one of the city's most
anticipated social and fundraising
events of the season. The evening
honored Rob Walton, former chairman of
Walmart and longtime conservation
philanthropist. Walton has focused his
giving on practical, durable efforts to
protect wildlife and wild places,
strengthen protected-area management,
and support partnerships that deliver
lasting conservation outcomes.
Nearly 400 guests enjoyed an
unforgettable evening set against the
backdrop of the Central Park Zoo,
beginning with cocktails around the sea
lion pool and a special sea lion feeding
before dinner under the stars. The gala
featured a multi-course dining
experience by Thomas Preti Events to
Savor and elegant décor by The Sora Lee,
bringing together prominent
philanthropists, business leaders,
conservation advocates, and WCS
supporters in celebration of the
organization's global conservation
mission.
Distinguished guests included actress
and Broadway star Aneesa Folds, comedian
Jeff Acuri and reality TV personality
Katie Thurston, Gillian Hearst, former
President of Columbia Juan Manuel
Santos, businessman Tony James, among
others.
The co-chairs of the gala this year
were: Elizabeth and Lee Ainslie, Katie
and Peter Dolan, Diana and Joe Dowling,
Laura and Peter Grauer, Antonia and
George Grumbach, Judith Hamilton, John
and Jeanet Irwin, Charlotte and
Alejandro Santo Domingo, Kitty and
Stephen Sherrill, Susan Slavik Williams,
Loretta Stadler, Priscilla and Ward
Woods, Akiko Yamazaki and Jerry Yang.
Alejandro Santo Domingo, Chair of the
WCS Board of Trustees, presented Walton
with the WCS Distinguished Leadership in
Conservation Award during the gala held
at the WCS Central Park Zoo.
“Rob Walton understands that preserving
nature in Africa is critical—not just
for Africa, but also globally: for
biodiversity, for climate, and for human
well-being and security,” said Alejandro
Santo Domingo, Chair of the WCS Board of
Trustees. “That’s why the Rob Walton
Foundation launched the Africa Keystone
Protected Area Partnership in 2025, with
the historic goal of mobilizing African
leaders, communities, NGOs, and funders
to protect 162 of Africa’s most
important landscapes by 2035. WCS is
honored to be one of the founding
partners of this initiative, and to help
carry out this important work.”
Said Adam Falk, WCS President and CEO:
“In the decade ahead we will be doubling
down on saving the most important places
for nature in Africa, thanks to a
transformational commitment from our
honoree tonight, Rob Walton, and from
many other donors who understand that
we’re at a make-or-break moment for
African wildlife
and wild places.”
The Rob Walton Foundation has joined
with WCS and other organizations to
launch the Africa Keystone Protected
Area Partnership, a landmark initiative
that unites African governments,
communities, and international
organizations to secure critical
landscapes that are irreplaceable for
nature. Walton’s previous leadership
roles in conservation include Chair of
the Environment Committee of the Walton
Family Foundation; Chair of the African
Parks Foundation of America; and Chair
of Arizona State University’s Global
Institute of Sustainability. His
contributions to the environment have
been recognized with the International
Conservation Caucus Foundation’s
Lifetime Achievement Award and
Conservation International’s Founder’s
Award.
Walton said, “I am deeply grateful to
WCS for this honor. And I am grateful
for the extraordinary work that all of
you do every day. It has been one of the
great joys of my life to play even a
small part in helping to protect our
natural world for my children and
grandchildren, and to work alongside
people so committed to something that is
practical, urgent, and profoundly
important.”
WCS combines its expertise in the field,
zoos, and aquarium to achieve its
conservation mission.
Said Falk: “Through our zoos and
aquarium, our science, and our
conservation work, we touch millions of
lives and help protect the future of
wildlife and wild places across the
globe…Our approach is simple: we go
where nature needs us most. We work in
places facing the greatest threats and
containing the most important wildlife.
We build partnerships with local
communities, Indigenous Peoples, and
governments at every level. We take on
the hard challenges, and we stay for the
long haul.”
WCS leads the world’s largest and
longest-running field conservation
program, partnering with Indigenous
Peoples, local communities, governments,
and other NGOs to protect vast,
climate-critical, biodiverse landscapes
and seascapes in more than 55 countries
and all the world’s oceans. WCS also
inspires and educates the next
generation of conservationists through a
robust education program, including
international scholarships, and with
five iconic wildlife parks in
New York City: the Bronx Zoo, Central
Park Zoo, Queens Zoo,
Prospect Park Zoo, and New York
Aquarium.
About Rob Walton
Rob Walton is a business leader,
conservationist, and owner of the Denver
Broncos. After serving as a partner at
the law firm Conner & Winters, Walton
held several positions at Walmart,
including senior vice president,
corporate secretary, general counsel,
and vice chairman of the board, before
serving as chairman from 1992 to 2015.
His leadership and business acumen
contributed to the company’s historic
success. He helped take Walmart public
in 1970, and as chairman, helped Walmart
become a global company at the top of
the Fortune 500. Walton is deeply
committed to conservation. In 2025, the
Rob Walton Foundation partnered with WCS
and others to launch the Africa Keystone
Protected Area Partnership, mobilizing
African leaders, communities, NGOs, and
funders to safeguard some of the
continent’s most critical landscapes.
Walton’s previous leadership roles in
conservation include Chair of the
Environment Committee of the Walton
Family Foundation; Chair of the African
Parks Foundation of America; and Chair
of Arizona State University’s Global
Institute of Sustainability. His
contributions to the environment have
been recognized with the International
Conservation Caucus Foundation’s
Lifetime Achievement Award and
Conservation International’s Founder’s
Award. A pilot, competitive driver, and
cyclist who has completed the Leadville
100, Cape Epic, and multiple Ironman
Championships, Walton is a graduate of
the University of Arkansas and Columbia
University School of Law.
About the Wildlife Conservation Society
(WCS)
WCS saves wildlife and wild places
worldwide through science, conservation
action, education, and inspiring people
to value nature. To achieve our mission,
WCS, based at the Bronx Zoo, harnesses
the power of its Global Conservation
Program in more than 55 countries and in
all the world’s oceans, and its five
wildlife parks in New York City, visited
by more than 3.5 million people
annually. WCS combines its expertise in
the field, zoos, and aquarium to achieve
its conservation mission. Visit:
newsroom.wcs.org. Follow: @WCSNewsroom.
For more information: +1 (347) 840-1242. Listen to the WCS Wild Audio
podcast HERE.
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