RELATED VIDEO CNN's Roger Rosenblatt profiles Russell Mittermeier Windows Media 28K 56K

CENTRAL SURINAME NATURE RESERVE (CNN) -- Like many of his generation, Russ Mittermeier grew up with Tarzan comic books, set in a lush imaginary jungle.

But unlike most of his contemporaries, Mittermeier went on to devote his life to the jungle -- in this case, a large area in the South American nation of Suriname.

Now 49 and president of Conservation International, Mittermeier persuaded the government of Suriname to set aside a pristine patch of rain forest the size of Rhode Island as a national park.

For this achievement and others, CNN and Time Magazine have recognized him in the "Heroes for the Planet" series.

Reporter Roger Rosenblatt traveled to Suriname to hear Mittermeier's views on conservation and to see firsthand the newly protected rain forest.