Epic Games Founder Is Buying Forests To Save Them From Being Chopped Down

Epic Games is absolutely raking in the cash thanks to its Fortnite-addicted player-base which means its core staff members are too. It’s easy to imagine billionaires lounging around their private yachts off the coast of their own private islands, but that isn’t the case for Epic’s founder, Tim Sweeney.

According to Bloomberg, as of 2019, Sweeney has a net worth of $7.18 billion, so what do you buy when you’re that rich? You buy the planet a second chance, apparently. 

Credit: Epic Games

 

Vigor News reports that Sweeney has put a lot of his fortune into conservation projects, and he’s been doing so for the last decade!

In an effort to help save forests in North Carolina, Sweeney purchased 40,000 acres of land. He’s also donated an eye-watering $15 million to help protect 7,000 acres of the Box Creek Wilderness, which sits at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and his efforts don’t stop there.

Credit: Epic Games

 

Speaking about Sweeney’s contributions, The Mind Unleashed writes:

“Sweeney’s conservation efforts come at a time when protecting our nation’s forests has become increasingly important. A study led by North Carolina State University professor Nick Haddad and conducted by 24 scientists, found that there are only 2 truly intact forests left on Earth.”

As for Sweeney himself, he spoke about the passion he has for the environment, saying: “This is a first step – there will be other places protected. The goal is to connect South Mountains State Park to Chimney Rock. This is one piece of the puzzle.”

In 2017, Sweeney went on to buy another 193 acres of land in Alamance County (at a cost of close to $2 million), a move which has prevented the land being developed.

Credit: Epic Games

 

IN 2018, Sweeney also purchased a 15,00 acre area to stop it from being converted into a golf course.

He said of the purchase: “I bought this land because it has a nice longleaf pine forest and was available for a reasonable price. I’ll be holding it until I find a permanent nature conservation home for it, which will take years or decades.”

Does this give us an excuse to keep playing Fortnite and support Epic Games…?

Featured Image Credit: Epic Games.