Tom and Jean Yawkey had an enduring appreciation for nature and a desire to protect our natural resources. The Yawkeys' gift of more than 20,000 acres of shorefront to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources is their most enduring legacy in conservation. The Yawkey Foundation concentrates the majority of its work in conservation to the Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center, but does support some conservation organizations that provide opportunities for disadvantaged children to experience nature and develop an appreciation for the world around them.