Harold Matzner, a Californian businessman and philanthropist, has made a lasting impact on the Palm Springs environment through his generous donations and contributions over the years. He has been an avid supporter of a variety of causes that benefit both the local community and organizations that work to protect wildlife and ecosystems worldwide. As a major figure in philanthropy and environmental conservation, he has made it his mission to improve the quality of life for all residents of Palm Springs by investing in its future sustainability. To see him in action and hear him talk about his passion for the environment, you can watch this video: https://www.desertsun.com/embed/video/108185594/.
Who is Harold Matzner?
Harold Matzner is best known as the Chairman and CEO of Spencer’s Restaurant Corporation, a restaurant chain with locations throughout the United States and Canada. He also serves on numerous boards, including The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens, Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert, Eisenhower Medical Center Foundation, and College of The Desert Foundation. As a successful entrepreneur and business leader, he has devoted much of his time to philanthropic efforts related to protecting our planet’s natural resources.
Philanthropic Contributions to Palm Springs Environmental Conservation
Since 2006, Mr. Matzner has donated more than $50 million to various charitable projects in Palm Springs, including art museums, performing arts centers, libraries, parks, trails, and green space preservation initiatives. He was instrumental in the creation of two new public preserves near Joshua Tree National Park; one at Thousand Palms Canyon Preserve, which now provides habitat for endangered species such as the desert tortoise, and another at Cahuilla Hills Reserve, where visitors can explore miles of trails meandering through nature preserve filled with native plants and animals. In addition to these major donations to protect habitats in the greater Palm Springs area, he also supports organizations working to conserve water resources around the world, such as Water For People. His commitment to conservation extends beyond financial donations – he often volunteers to clean up rivers or maintain hiking trails near the Coachella Valley region.
Supporting renewable energy initiatives through innovative grants
In March 2017, Mr. Matzner announced an innovative grant program specifically designed for renewable energy companies within the city limits. The grant will provide financial support to companies researching solar energy technologies or developing new ways to reduce energy consumption in homes and offices. It also aims to create jobs while helping to reduce carbon emissions from traditional sources of electricity such as coal-fired power stations. To date, this grant program has helped to kick-start several small-scale renewable energy projects in the greater Palm Springs area, some of which are expected to be completed by 2021!
Commitment to improving the quality of life in communities
In addition to his efforts to protect the environment, Mr. Matzner is also committed to improving the quality of life within the communities surrounding Palm Springs by providing funds for educational programs or health care services provided by hospitals such as Eisenhower Medical Center (EMC). Each year, he donates millions to EMC, which helps provide vital medical treatment to underserved populations living in the valley. He also regularly visits schools to talk about the importance of STEM education in today’s economy, most recently visiting Sunny Sands Elementary School to discuss how technology can help solve everyday problems people face today.
Legacy of giving back to nature and humanity:
Having already left his mark on many different areas of both nature and humanity, Harold Matzner will continue to give back to those who need it most for generations to come. His legacy demonstrates how much difference one person can make if enough effort and passion are put into positively changing the world we live in today, and tomorrow yet to come. It is safe to say that impactful achievements have not gone unnoticed by many who admire and appreciate all the hard work that continues to make the world a better place for everyone involved!
