Celebrating the Legacy of Disney Conservation

Since our company’s founding, we’ve always been inspired by nature. We call these efforts Disney Planet Possible, our company’s commitment to taking action to help change our planet’s story. We’re building on our strong legacy of environmental sustainability, conservation, and powerful storytelling by writing the next chapter of what’s possible when we work together to create a happier, healthier planet for all.

Disney’s commitment to conservation and the environment can be traced back to 1950, when Walt Disney himself famously said, “Conservation isn’t just the business of a few people. It’s a matter that concerns all of us.” Walt’s love for nature and his dedication to preserving it paved the way for all we celebrate today.

The Disney Conservation Fund has supported organizations including Environment Society of Oman and Spectacled Bear Conservation Society for their work to engage communities in nature conservation and protect wildlife like lappet-faced vultures and spectacled bears.

Through the years, Walt’s words haven’t been forgotten. In 1995, Walt’s legacy of saving wildlife, inspiring action, and protecting the planet inspired the founding of the Disney Conservation Fund (DCF), a Disney philanthropic initiative. Since then, we have helped protect hundreds of species globally and safeguard more than 315 million acres of habitat—an amount equal to 10,000+ Walt Disney Worlds. The DCF has also recognized 220 Conservation Heroes for their incredible contributions to wildlife conservation.

Cast members support Disney Conservation Team Wildlife lends expertise to help communities study and protect wildlife globally, from butterflies at Walt Disney World Resort to birds near Wishing Star Park.

Over the last few decades, cast member wildlife monitoring networks have recorded more than 200 species of birds and 70 species of butterflies on conservation lands at Walt Disney World.

Across the pond at Shanghai Disney, the recently restored Wishing Star Park is now home to 116 bird species. Team Wildlife scientists also lend their talent and expertise to local and international programs aimed at supporting threatened species globally including primates, coral reefs, elephants, and cranes. And of course, there is more to come.

Disney Conservation Fund is supporting San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s work to engage communities in protecting giraffes across Kenya’s northern rangelands by reducing threats of illegal poaching and giraffe meat consumption. (Credit: Tomas Pickering / San Diego Zoo Global)