She wrote, “When we started this show in 2003, the iPhone didn’t exist.

Social Media didn’t exist.

Gay marriage wasn’t legal.”

Ellen DeGeneres smiling

The message continued, “We watched the world change, sometimes for the better, sometimes not.

She has set her sights on an even bigger project (viaThe New York Times).

The space will give students and future conservationists the opportunity to learn about the endangered species.

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi smiling

This brave, amazing, trailblazing woman living on a mountain by herself with these massive, wild creatures.

It became a dream to go to Rwanda and see them in person.”

Now, DeGeneres is helping to fund both the campus and conservation efforts for these amazing animals.