What happens when one person’s vision transforms a landscape and inspires generations to protect it? At Vermejo Reserve in northern New Mexico, the legacy of media titan Ted Turner extends far beyond conservation; it is rooted in the belief that protecting the land begins with educating people about why it matters.

Vermejo demonstrates how education can turn awareness into action by cultivating a space where individuals can experience conservation firsthand through preservation of habitats and restoration of native species. Watch the video above to discover how Turner’s vision continues to shape conservation, inspire the next generation, and reveal what is possible when we choose to learn from past and invest in the future.

Editor’s Note: This series was made possible with the generous support of Turner Reserves and contributions by the Turner family. All editorial content is published independently. 

Planet Forward’s Environmental Media Lab led this expedition to teach the power of visual storytelling in wild spaces to convey the beauty and bounty of our planet.