In 1995 Joe Rohde, Executive Designer and Vice President, Creative, for The Walt Disney Company – and lead designer for Disney’s Animal Kingdom – helped spearhead the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund. Since it’s inception the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund has directed more than twenty million dollars to conservation efforts worldwide, helping 315+ nonprofit organizations in 112 countries. Emergency funds are also set aside annually by the DWCF to respond to communities and wildlife in crisis, faced with disasters and oil spills.
The Good News
Together with Disneynature – and as part of the Plant A Billion Trees Initiative – the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund has planted three million trees in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, protected more than 40,000 acres of coral reef with The Nature Conservancy, protected 65,000 acres of savanna with the African Wildlife Foundation and established protected areas for chimpanzees, and care for orphaned chimpanzees with the Jane Goodall Institute.
How Can I Help?
Easy! Guests of Disney Parks can make a donation at designated merchandise locations found at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Epcot, at several Disney Resorts and aboard the Disney Cruise Line. If you’re not visiting a Disney Park, donations can be made directly to the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund. The Walt Disney Company will match every contribution. DWCF Contribution Locations – 2013 DWCF Funded Projects
Where Will My Money Go?
100 percent of every dollar contributed is directed to nonprofit organizations through a conservation awards process. The projects are reviewed and evaluated by Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment staff – which includes scientists, animal keepers, educators and curators – to ensure the funds will truly make a difference for wildlife.
2 Comments
Lorie
January 18, 2014 at 6:21 pmI clicked on the link to the 2013 funded projects expecting a one page list comprising 6 to 8 conservation initiatives. Needless to say I was blown away to find a 42 page document listing a multitude of projects that are both comprehensive in their scope and worldwide in their reach. In particular, I am glad for the funding to study the horseshoe crab, one of the oldest life-forms on our planet, who are now dying off due to over fishing and habitat loss. Thanks for letting me know about what the DWCF is supporting.
Barbara
January 19, 2014 at 1:29 pmI had the exact same experience! The DWCF is impressive and inspiring – definitely all good news!