The Disney Conservation Fund (DCF) is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Many organizations are struggling with unexpected challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Support from the DCF will help provide key resources to carry forward efforts to bolster communities and to protect wildlife around the world.
This year the DCF is supporting 50 conservation organizations working to protect more than 100 species through the Inspiring Action Conservation Grants Program, including the following initiatives:
- Beneath the Waves (BTW): Shark Survival Inside Protected Areas – BTW plans to conduct a series of scientific research expeditions in The Bahamas, aimed at monitoring the behavior of sharks to understand the value that Marine Protected Areas play in their survival. This research is key for demonstrating that long-term habitat protections can benefit wildlife and people. The program also will engage local schools to ensure kids are inspired to protect sharks and the ocean habitats where they live.
- Conservation Fusion (CF): Inspiring Leaders, Protecting Lemurs in Madagascar – CF is connecting people to the science of lemur and forest conservation through education, research, and leadership skills development. Madagascar is home to 112 species of lemurs, and sadly, 94 percent of all lemurs are threatened with extinction. CF is working to address the threats lemurs face by working with local communities to highlight tangible benefits of eco-tourism, empower youth and restore critical habitat by planting more than 60,000 trees each year.
- Global Penguin Society (GPS): Penguins, People and the Planet – GPS has already had great success protecting penguins and their habitats, leading an effort to establish 32 million acres of terrestrial and marine protected areas in South America. This project will help support the conservation of Magellanic penguins in Argentina, expanding research to help protect penguins and working to address the threats they face, from marine plastic pollution to climate change.
- University of Central Florida (UCF) Research Foundation – Oysters, Endangered Birds, and Children: The UCF Research Foundation is helping advance science and engage communities in the restoration of oyster reefs in the Indian River Lagoon in Florida, supporting other species like wading birds. The program also works with Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando, Florida engaging kids as citizen-scientists, having them help to identify birds from remote wildlife cameras.
DCF is also continuing to advance conservation collaborations through its Saving Wildlife work, which drives comprehensive strategies aimed at reversing the decline of butterflies, coral reefs, cranes, elephants, gorillas, monkeys, rhinos, sea turtles, sharks and rays, as well as tigers. These programs are helping to bring back species by addressing threats and empowering communities in important ecosystems from California to Brazil and Kenya to China, among other regions.
You can find more information about Disney’s conservation efforts at thewaltdisneycompany.com/disney-conservation.
Let our friends at Destinations to Travel help you book your next Disney Vacation. They are the preferred Travel Agency of Chip and Company and Disney Addicts, and who we use ourselves.
Get started below for your FREE No Obligation Quote.
Book With our friends at Destinations to Travel
For the BEST in Disney, Universal, Dollywood, and SeaWorld Theme Park News, Entertainment, Merchandise & More follow us on, Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube. Don't forget to check out the Chip and Company Radio Network too!
