The Ellen DeGeneres Campus: A Hub for Conservation and Education.
For over five decades, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund has been dedicated to the preservation of wild gorilla populations and the support of local communities living alongside these magnificent creatures. This noble mission began in 1967 when Dian Fossey established two tents in the Rwandan forest. Over the years, the organization expanded, growing from a one-person operation to a dedicated team of over 300. However, until 2022, they worked out of rented spaces with limited facilities, detached from the gorilla habitat and the surrounding communities they serve. In 2018, the Fossey Fund made a bold decision to transform its 20-year dream into a reality: to build a purpose-built facility in Rwanda that would serve as a catalyst for scientific research and conservation. In a remarkable turn of events, global icon Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, provided the leading donation to kickstart this endeavor. Thousands of donors, both big and small, contributed to making this vision come true, and in February 2022, the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund opened its doors to the world.
Ellen DeGeneres Campus: A Beacon of Hope
Situated in the lush landscape adjacent to the Volcanoes National Park, the Ellen DeGeneres Campus is a multi-acre, eco-friendly facility consisting of three main buildings – the Sandy and Harold Price Research Center, the Rob and Melani Walton Education Center, and the Cindy Broder Conservation Gallery. In addition, the campus provides accommodation for visiting students and researchers. This exceptional facility serves as a gateway to conservation for various stakeholders and visitors worldwide, while fostering the growth of the next generation of conservationists.
The Sandy and Harold Price Research Center is the cornerstone of scientific inquiry at the Ellen Campus. This state-of-the-art facility is designed to advance research in genetics, physiology, and paleontology, areas that are crucial for the conservation of gorillas and their habitats. It offers a five-fold increase in lab space compared to the previous facility, thus creating new opportunities for collaboration with scientists and students. Importantly, it also provides extensive training opportunities for young African conservationists.
Thee Ellen Campus signifies a significant enlargement of the teaching and laboratory facilities. This expansion goes beyond mere growth, as it allows new programs, which enhances capacity to research gorillas and their vital role for forest environment. It also creates new educational opportunities for budding African scientists and the local community.
Education is a cornerstone of the Fossey Fund’s mission. The Rob and Melani Walton Education Center houses classrooms, a science library, and a computer lab, creating the perfect environment for teaching and research. The campus serves as a living laboratory, with over 250,000 native plants that make up the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Interpretive Trails, providing rich field trip experiences. The Cindy Broder Conservation Gallery is an immersive public exhibit that narrates the story of mountain gorilla research and conservation, showcasing artifacts from Dian Fossey’s time and utilizing cutting-edge technology to engage visitors. These educational components expand beyond the classroom, offering a unique, hands-on learning experience.
Construction and Environmental Impact
The Ellen Campus’s construction is a testament to thoughtful design and sustainability. Designed by the award-winning MASS Design Group, it was named one of Africa’s most anticipated architectural projects. The campus was constructed with locally sourced materials and supplies to minimize its environmental footprint. It embraces rainwater harvesting, green roofs, reforestation efforts on former agricultural land, and a constructed wetland for wastewater treatment and promoting biodiversity. Impressively, 90% of the campus’s $15 million budget was invested in Rwanda, benefiting local communities with over 2,400 construction jobs.
A Dream Realized
Portia de Rossi beautifully captured the essence of the Ellen Campus during the groundbreaking ceremony in February 2019. She shared how her wife, Ellen, was deeply inspired by Dian Fossey’s story, how a scientist left her comfortable life to set up a tent in the Rwandan forest to save a species on the brink of extinction. Ellen’s journey, from that moment, was transformative, and she became a trailblazer much like her hero, Dian.
“I am here because it was my dream to link my wife, Ellen, to her hero in a significant and lasting way. My dream aligned with a 15-year dream of the Fossey Fund Leadership to build a permanent home in Rwanda. And so, the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund will be Karisoke’s permanent home… It is my hope that the campus will serve as a catalyst, to encourage us to dream bigger, to know that we too can make an impact and that all of us can become trailblazers—just like Ellen and Dian.”
The Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is an embodiment of hope and transformation. By merging scientific research with education and sustainable design, this campus promises to shape the future of gorilla conservation. It’s not just a building; it’s a symbol of the remarkable change that can occur when individuals and communities come together for a shared purpose. The campus’s impact has already been immense, with thousands of visitors in its first year, making it an essential hub for ecological preservation and education in Africa. As the population of mountain gorillas in the region grows, this facility stands as a testament to what can be achieved through dedication, collaboration, and a shared vision for a better future.
Visiting the Ellen Campus
Visiting the Ellen Campus in Kinigi, Rwanda is a truly immersive and educational experience for all nature enthusiasts and conservation advocates. As you step onto this state-of-the-art facility, you’re immediately welcomed into the world of mountain gorillas and their remarkable habitat. The campus, situated adjacent to the Volcanoes National Park, offers an insightful journey into the work of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and the legacy of its founder. The facilities are not just buildings; they are gateways to the heart of gorilla conservation and research. The three main structures, including the Sandy and Harold Price Research Center, the Rob and Melani Walton Education Center, and the Cindy Broder Conservation Gallery, provide visitors with in-depth knowledge and hands-on experiences.
One of the most captivating aspects of a visit is the interactive tour offered at the Cindy Broder Conservation Gallery. Here, visitors can delve into the rich history of mountain gorilla research, from the time of Dian Fossey to the present day. The gallery features a treasure trove of artifacts from Fossey’s two-decade-long immersion in the gorillas’ world, combined with cutting-edge technology like virtual and augmented reality experiences. These interactive elements allow visitors to gain a deep understanding of the conservation successes achieved for mountain gorillas and appreciate the efforts of both the fund and the local communities. The Ellen Campus, with its combination of education and experiential learning, serves as an inspiring model for how we can all contribute to the conservation of our planet’s most endangered species.
Visiting the Ellen Campus in Kinigi, Rwanda is a truly immersive and educational experience for all nature enthusiasts and conservation advocates. As you step onto this state-of-the-art facility, you’re immediately welcomed into the world of mountain gorillas and their remarkable habitat. The campus, situated adjacent to the Volcanoes National Park, offers an insightful journey into the work of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and the legacy of its founder. The facilities are not just buildings; they are gateways to the heart of gorilla conservation and research. The three main structures, including the Sandy and Harold Price Research Center, the Rob and Melani Walton Education Center, and the Cindy Broder Conservation Gallery, provide visitors with in-depth knowledge and hands-on experiences.
One of the most captivating aspects of a visit is the interactive tour offered at the Cindy Broder Conservation Gallery. Here, visitors have the opportunity to delve into the rich history of mountain gorilla research, starting from the time of Dian Fossey to the present day. The gallery features a treasure trove of artifacts from Fossey’s two-decade-long immersion in the gorillas’ world, combined with cutting-edge technology like virtual and augmented reality experiences. These interactive elements allow visitors to gain a deep understanding of the conservation successes achieved for mountain gorillas and appreciate the efforts of both the fund and the local communities. The Ellen Campus, with its combination of education and experiential learning, serves as an inspiring model for how we can all contribute to the conservation of our planet’s most endangered species.