On Thursday, Nov. 3, a group called the Skoll Global Threats Fund, in partnership with the Presidio Trust, held a tree-planting ceremony to honor the lifelong work of an African woman’s commitment to combating deforestation in Kenya and around the world.

The ceremony, held in front of 1808 Wedemeyer Street in the Presidio’s Public Health Service District, was another example of a shrinking world that brought together the first president of eBay, the former head of Google.org, and an environmental and political activist from Kenya.

Sadly, the honoree, Nobel Peace Laureate Wangari Maathai, died of complications from ovarian cancer on Sept. 25, just weeks before the event.

Wangari Muta Mary Jo Maathai was an environmental and political activist, educated in the United States and Kenya. In the 1970s, Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement, an environmental, nongovernmental organization focused on the planting of trees, environmental conservation, and women’s rights.

In 1986 she was awarded the Right Livelihood Award, and in 2004 she became the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for “her contributions to sustainable development, democracy and peace.”

She also held political offices in the government of President Mwai Kibaki between January 2003 and November 2005.

Jeffrey Skoll was the first president of eBay and involved in the formation of the eBay Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the online auction giant.

Recognizing the growing dangers to our planet, he created the Skoll Foundation in 1999 and the Skoll Global Threats Fund in 2009. The Skoll Fund’s offices are located in the Presidio. The Fund’s mission is to confront global threats imperiling humanity by seeking solutions, strengthening alliances, and spurring actions need to safeguard the future, according to their website, www.skollglobalthreats.org.

Dr. Larry Brilliant, former executive director of Google.org and current president of the Skoll Global Threats Fund, participated in the tree-planting ceremony with Craig Middleton, executive director of the Presidio Trust.

“We are proud to partner with the Skoll Global Threats Fund to honor Professor Wangari Maathai and her legacy,” said Middleton. “Planting a tree serves as a fitting tribute to her lifelong work combating global deforestation.”

“The Skoll Global Threats Fund’s vision is of a sustainable world of peace and prosperity. Wangari Maathai was one of those rare individuals who spent her life trying to make such a vision reality, often in very difficult circumstances. What better way to honor her than planting a tree here in the Presidio,” said Bruce Lowry, the Skoll Fund’s director of policy and communications.