Disney Conservation Fund is investing $1 million in Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots, a youth action program. The investment accompanies a conservation summit for 10 young leaders at Walt Disney World Resort.
Disney’s support now exceeds $7.5 million. Roots & Shoots helps young people identify challenges in their communities and take action for people, animals and the environment.
The participants earned their places through the “Hop into the Animal Kingdom Challenge,” created with Roots & Shoots USA.
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, participants met experts in animal care, veterinary medicine and conservation. Their experiences also took them to EPCOT, with opportunities to learn from science and storytelling experts.
The summit explored careers protecting the natural world and connected participants with fellow young conservation leaders. Each participant also received a Disney mentor with expertise matching their interests.
“The future of conservation depends on supporting and inspiring the next generation of leaders,” said Claire Martin. Martin leads biodiversity conservation programs as a senior manager at The Walt Disney Company.
Youth projects and community grants
The participants arrived with conservation projects already underway in their home communities. Their work spans habitat restoration, environmental education, pollution reduction and community engagement.
Cash Daniels of Tennessee focuses on shark conservation awareness and ocean stewardship. Florida’s Shea Polley works on sea turtle conservation and environmental education.
In Illinois, Marlee Christiansen supports birds and bats through habitat creation and community awareness. Minnesota’s William Tan works on aquatic ecosystem conservation through innovative reef technology.
The challenge winners received small grants to support their projects. Since receiving that funding, they’ve guided peers through native plantings and led reef restoration events.
Other activities include installing bat boxes in critical habitats and distributing turtle-themed care packages to pediatric cancer patients.
Participants also helped choose other grant recipients. Their involvement in selecting additional youth-led community projects resulted in 102 Roots & Shoots grants across 32 states and territories.
The late Dr. Jane Goodall founded Roots & Shoots in 1991. The Jane Goodall Institute program now operates in 75 countries, including all 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico.
“These young people embody the power of hope and action,” said Anna Rathmann, CEO of the Jane Goodall Institute USA.
Source: The Walt Disney Company
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