The Disney Conservation Fund has announced a $1 million investment in Roots & Shoots, the Jane Goodall Institute's youth programme.
The investment will support Roots & Shoots, which was created to inspire young people to identify challenges in their communities and take action for people, animals and the environment.
Founded in 1991 by the late Jane Goodall, Roots & Shoots is now active in 75 countries, including all 50 US states and Puerto Rico.
Goodall, a British primatologist and conservationist, was a trailblazer known for her pioneering studies of chimpanzees.
An advocate for conservation and community-led change, Goodall spent more than four decades advancing the Jane Goodall Institute's programmes in Africa and around the world.
The Disney Conservation Fund is committed to inspiring action and connecting children with natureDisney
Disney's investment builds on its conservation fund's longstanding commitment to inspiring action and connecting children with nature.
The announcement comes as 10 youth conservation leaders from across the US gathered at Walt Disney World Resort for a multi-day conservation summit celebrating youth action and environmental stewardship.
Selected earlier this year through the 'Hop into the Animal Kingdom Challenge', created in collaboration with Roots & Shoots USA, these youth advocates are leading projects focused on wildlife conservation, habitat restoration, environmental education, pollution reduction and community engagement.
"The future of conservation depends on supporting and inspiring the next generation of leaders," said Claire Martin, senior manager of biodiversity conservation programmes at the Walt Disney Company.
Roots & Shoots investment
"By connecting young people with nature and giving them opportunities to explore careers in animal care, conservation and science, we can help inspire lifelong champions for wildlife and the planet," she added.
"We’re proud to collaborate with Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots to celebrate these remarkable young leaders and invest in the future of conservation."
Anna Rathmann, CEO of the Jane Goodall Institute USA, said: "These young people embody the power of hope and action. They believe that change is possible and that they can make a difference for our fellow animals and shared environment, which is exactly what Roots & Shoots is about.
"We are so grateful to our partners at the Disney Conservation Fund for giving us the opportunity to celebrate and support this important work."
