Burt’s Bees: Honoring our legacy supporting nature and community
Photo credit: James Florio. All Wabanaki cultural knowledge and intellectual property shared within this project is owned by the Wabanaki Nations.
By Gabi Laurent, Brand Engagement Manager – Burt’s Bees
For Burt’s Bees, nature isn’t just a source of inspiration — it’s a way of life.
One of the most meaningful examples of this commitment is our long-standing support of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in northern Maine. In 2016, Burt’s Bees cofounder Roxanne Quimby helped lay the groundwork for its future by donating 87,500 acres of North Woods wilderness for public enjoyment and protection. That land became a national monument later that year, designated by presidential proclamation.
In 2020, Burt’s Bees deepened that commitment to the region by investing $3 million in the development of the Tekαakapimak Visitor Contact Station, which officially opened to the public this year on June 21.
This 7,900-square-foot space sits atop Lookout Mountain, offering awe-inspiring views and a thoughtful welcome to all who visit the monument.
What makes Tekαakapimak truly special is its foundation: It was designed and developed in collaboration with the Wabanaki Nations, whose ancestral homelands include the Katahdin region. Through the guidance of a Wabanaki advisory board, Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters, the Quimby Family Foundation, Elliotsville Foundation, and the National Park Service, Tekαakapimak offers a first-of-its-kind experience, inviting visitors to understand and appreciate the land through Wabanaki worldview and artistry.
Our dedication to protecting public lands extends beyond Katahdin. The Burt’s Bees foundation has proudly supported a range of initiatives that have protected green spaces and promoted biodiversity in the communities where we live and work.
Whether we’re supporting a national monument in Maine or planting native trees in our backyard, our work is rooted in the belief that well-being — of people and planet — begins with nature. This month, and every month, we’re proud to champion the parks, people, and partnerships that make our world more livable, resilient, and beautiful.