Laura and Jack Dangermond, founders of GIS software company Esri, donated an incredible $165 million to The Nature Conservancy. Through this contribution, The Nature Conservancy was able to buy and protect 38 square miles of “the last perfect place in California.”

Known to many as the Bixby Ranch, the area sits at Point Conception—California’s elbow, near Santa Barbara—and has remain untouched by development. The site will connect more than 125,000 acres of protected land—undisturbed coastal habitat, huge expanses of estuaries, coastal prairie, grasslands and oak forests—that have long-existed in their natural, wild state.

This contribution inspired a wave of support from other donors and allowed to close this deal entirely with private funding. The Dangermonds have quietly supported many nonprofits over the years, but this time they agreed to be more visible. By creating the new Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve, they hope to inspire others who can make a similar difference.

Ready to follow the Dangermonds and build your own investment in nature? Here are a few ways that savvy investors and business people can help protect important lands and waters around the world.

  • Donate—no matter how big or small.
  • Consider impact investing.
  • Take advantage of green financial products.

Read more about conservation by Mark Tercek at Forbes.