Disney Grants Benefit East Central Florida Wildlife

ORLANDO, Florida --The Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund (DWCF) released its 2012 annual grants, awarding more than $1.8 million to 75 conservation projects around the globe including $130,000 to Florida based projects.

Wildlife in east Central Florida, including Brevard County, will benefit from grants awarded to wildlife projects studying and protecting dolphins, manatees, whooping cranes, gopher tortoises, and right whales.

Since its beginnings in 1995 DWCF has donated nearly $4 million benefiting 257 programs from 59 organizations in Florida.  This year, six projects supporting the conservation of Florida wildlife were selected, including:

• The Sea Turtle Conservancy
• The University of Florida
• Marine Resources Council of East Florida
• The Wildlife Foundation of Florida
• The Coral Restoration Foundation
• The Ecostudies Institute

“Disney’s commitment to protect the planet and help create connections between kids and nature around the world in 40 countries is amazing,” said Dr. Beth Stevens, Senior Vice President, Disney Corporate Citizenship, Environment & Conservation. “We are grateful to the many scientists, educators and community conservationists who devote their lives to conservation and are very proud to work with our guests, fans, employees and cast members to help ensure a better future for our planet.”

Through its grants program, DWCF is helping to preserve habitats, protect endangered species, foster kids’ connections to nature and ensure future generations can enjoy wildlife and wild places.