Wildlife Wednesdays: Guests Help Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund Set Record

It’s my honor to announce today that, with help from our guests, the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund (DWCF) is awarding $2 million to conservation projects around the globe—the highest amount we’ve ever contributed in a single year.

The National Audubon Society, the Jane Goodall Institute, the World Wildlife Fund and The Nature Conservancy are among the more than 70 nonprofit organizations to benefit from the largest DWCF annual grants distribution to date. These organizations are helping to preserve habitats, protect endangered species, foster children and family’s connections to nature, and ensure that future generations can enjoy wildlife and wild places.

I’d like to add my heartfelt appreciation to that of Dr. Beth Stevens, Senior Vice President, Disney Corporate Citizenship, Environment & Conservation, who said about this accomplishment, “We are grateful to the many scientists, educators and community conservationists who devote their lives to conservation and are very proud to work with our guests, fans, employees and cast members to help ensure a better future for our planet.”

DWCF is funded by Disney and contributions by Disney guests. Guests help to support the fund in a variety of ways from adding a dollar or more to their purchases of food and gifts at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and select resorts, to participating in special animal experiences on Disney Cruise Line and at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, The Seas with Nemo & Friends at Epcot and Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii, to purchasing reusable shopping bags and other items and at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts.

Highlights of the nearly 100 projects supported in 2011 include:

National Audubon Society “Shorebird Conservation in The Bahamas”: Working with local communities in The Bahamas on environmental education about the importance of conserving one of the most critical sites for migratory shorebird nesting.

The Jane Goodall Institute “Release of Wild Born Mandrills”: Re-introducing mandrills into the wild in the Republic of Congo to study and track the species.

The Nature Conservancy “Establishment of the New RCW population”: Increasing population of the red-cockaded woodpecker in Florida.

World Wildlife Fund “Chimpanzee Conservation Goes to School”: Organizing education and outreach activities among local communities in West Africa to protect chimpanzees.

International Crane Foundation “Safeguarding Poyang Cranes and Wetlands”: Conducting research to support science-based conservation strategies for the Siberian crane, a critically endangered bird.

Since 1995, DWCF has awarded nearly $18 million to support conservation programs in 111 countries. For a complete list of grant recipients and to view The Walt Disney Company’s most recent Conservation Report, visit www.disney.com/conservation. Learn more about Disney’s citizenship efforts at www.disney.com/citizenship