Oh, how time flies when you’re saving wildlife from extinction and protecting millions of trees from deforestation! It’s been 26 years since the Disney Conservation Fund took its first steps toward protecting over 1,000 species, 315 million acres of planet, connecting over 53 million children to nature, and contributing over $100 million to global conservation efforts in 1995. 26 year of commitment to saving wildlife, launching industry leading scientific programs bringing global awareness to environmental needs, and inspiring action to protect and conserve our planet. To ring in Earth month this year, let’s stroll through the 26 years of incredible strides the Disney Conservation Fund has made in protecting the magic of nature.
1995
Disney Conservation Fund is created and awards 39 grants to critical conservation efforts and organizations.
1998
Disney’s Animal Kingdom opens at the Walt Disney World Resort, where guests can learn about Disney’s many conservation efforts and contribute to the Fund through their purchases.
2004
DCF honors its first “Conservation Heroes” – individuals and teams recognized for their passion and dedication to supporting the success of conservation projects in their communities around the world.
2006
Disney Conservation Fund reaches $10 million in support of critical global conservation efforts.
2009
Disneynature releases its first film, Earth, funding the planting of 3 million trees in Brazil through The Nature Conservancy, and launching the commitment to continue this effort with the release of every Disneynature film.
2010
Disney Conservation Fund partners with The Nature Conservancy to establish 40,000 acres of protected coral reefs in the Bahamas with the release of Disneynature’s Oceans.
2012
Walt Disney World hosts its first ever Kids and Nature Summit; a new initiative inspiring kids to get outside.
2017
Disneynature releases Born in China, establishing 495,000 acres of protected forests in China with the World Wildlife Fund to restore wild panda populations and build a new snow leopard conservation program.
2019
Disney releases The Lion King, collaborating with the Lion Recovery Fund to bring awareness to lion population endangerment and inspire audiences to help double the population of lions by 2050.
2020
The Disney Conservation Fund celebrates its 25th anniversary!
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