Our partnership with The Walt Disney Company is focused on supporting CI's biodiversity conservation efforts and raising consumer awareness about conservation issues.

November 2009 - Disney announced a landmark agreement to provide $4 million to develop large-scale Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) forest carbon demonstrations in Peru and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the single largest corporate commitment to date.

March 2009 - Disney released its first Corporate Responsibility report, which describes ambitious environmental goals reflecting CI’s advice in the areas of biodiversity conservation; energy, water and materials efficiency; greenhouse gas reductions; sustainable supply chains; and green buildings.

Over the past few years, CI and Disney diligently worked together to develop a high-level environmental leadership strategy that the company is pursuing.  In 2007, CI hosted a comprehensive education session for Disney’s Environmental Council, giving members a solid understanding of pivotal environmental issues, as well as how corporate America and the U.S. government have responded to those issues. CI recommended a collaboration that led to the development of a comprehensive direction for Disney’s environmental strategy and to the development of a comprehensive and focused long-term environmental strategy for the company.

2006 - Scientists from CI and Disney found a vast array of exotic and endangered wildlife - including plant and animal species previously unknown to science - during a two month expedition in the Himalayas and the Mountains of Southwest China Biodiversity Hotspots. The expedition has been brought to life through Expedition Everest, the newest rollercoaster at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Conservation International is featured at Disney's Animal Kingdom in Rafiki's Planet Watch, a section of the theme park that focuses on wildlife efforts.

Walt Disney World and Disney's Animal Kingdom have also provided support to CI's communication efforts. Disney has provided creative and design expertise as well as underwriting the cost of specific communications efforts, such as brochures and newsletters. Russell A. Mittermeier, President of Conservation International, is a member of the Disney's Animal Kingdom Advisory Board.

The Walt Disney Company is also a member of CI's Business and Biodiversity Council, a community of companies committed to leveraging their business experience and resources to conserve biodiversity.

More information on Disney's environmental and conservation efforts is available online.