Disney has announced a $1 million investment in Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots program, helping young people across the country continue their work protecting animals, restoring habitats, and making a difference in their communities.
The announcement comes as 10 young conservationists from across the United States gathered at Walt Disney World for a special conservation summit. These aren’t kids who are just beginning to learn about protecting the environment, either. They’re already doing some pretty incredible things in their hometowns!
The students were selected through the Hop into the Animal Kingdom Challenge, a collaboration between Disney and Roots & Shoots inspired by Disney and Pixar’s Hoppers and the 30th anniversary of the Disney Conservation Fund.
Their projects cover everything from protecting sea turtles and restoring habitats for native pollinators to cleaning up plastic pollution and helping conserve sharks, orcas, and salmon.
During their visit to Walt Disney World, the students spent time at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and EPCOT, where they got to learn from Disney’s animal care, veterinary, science, and conservation teams. They also explored career opportunities and met other young people who share their passion for wildlife.
Each student has been paired with a Disney mentor who will help guide them over the next year. That’s a pretty amazing opportunity for someone who might be considering a future career working with animals or protecting the environment.
The students have already received grants from the Disney Conservation Fund to support their individual projects. They’ve also helped select other youth-led conservation efforts for funding, resulting in 102 additional grants across 32 states and territories.
Jane Goodall founded Roots & Shoots in 1991 to encourage young people to take action in their communities. Today, the program reaches 75 countries, including all 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico.
With this latest announcement, Disney’s total investment in Roots & Shoots has grown to more than $7.5 million. The Disney Conservation Fund, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, has also contributed more than $141 million to conservation programs around the world.
It’s great that young conservationists are getting the support and encouragement to keep doing what they love. And who knows? Maybe one of these students will be working with Disney’s Animal Care team someday!
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