Disney Conservation Fund puts $1 million into Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots as young conservationists visit Walt Disney World

By entgrove · October 30, 2026

The Disney Conservation Fund announced a $1 million investment in Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots on Oct. 26, bringing Disney's total for the youth program past $7.5 million. Ten young conservation leaders marked the news with a multi-day summit at Disney's Animal Kingdom and EPCOT, and each leaves with a Disney mentor for the next year.

The Disney Conservation Fund is putting $1 million into Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots, the youth program of the Jane Goodall Institute. Disney announced the gift on Oct. 26 while 10 young conservation leaders from across the United States were at Walt Disney World for a multi-day summit, and it takes Disney's total support for the program past $7.5 million.

How the youth leaders earned their trip to Walt Disney World

The summit's guests won a challenge tied to Pixar's Hoppers and the fund's 30th anniversary.

• The selection challenge. Participants were chosen through the Hop into the Animal Kingdom Challenge, which Disney created with Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots USA.
• Two anniversaries. The challenge celebrated Hoppers, Disney and Pixar's 30th film, and the 30th anniversary of the Disney Conservation Fund.
• Already leading projects. Each winner was already running community work in wildlife conservation, habitat restoration, environmental education, pollution reduction or community engagement.
• Small grants too. The winners also received small grants from the Disney Conservation Fund to support their own projects.

What the summit covered at Animal Kingdom and EPCOT

Participants spent the summit with Disney's animal and science teams inside two of its parks.

• Time with experts. At Disney's Animal Kingdom and EPCOT, participants learned from Disney's animal care, veterinary, science, conservation and storytelling experts.
• Career exploration. The group explored careers dedicated to protecting the natural world and networked with other young changemakers.
• A year of mentoring. Each participant was paired with a Disney mentor from their interest area, who will coach them on career and education over the next year.

Claire Martin, senior manager of biodiversity conservation programs at The Walt Disney Company, framed the summit as an investment in who does this work next.

"The future of conservation depends on supporting and inspiring the next generation of leaders. 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." Claire Martin, The Walt Disney Company

Meet the youth leaders working on land and in classrooms

Half the group focuses on habitats on land, wildlife education and access to science.

• Angela Butz, New Jersey. Creates native pollinator habitat and works on biodiversity restoration.
• Jack Dalton, Massachusetts. Teaches about rainforest conservation through youth engagement and storytelling.
• Marlee Christiansen, Illinois. Protects birds and bats by creating habitat and raising community awareness.
• Ethan Park, Texas. Works on prairie restoration and conservation education.
• Katelyn Liu, California. Focuses on conservation education and widening young people's access to STEM education.

Meet the youth leaders working on oceans and rivers

The other half works on water: turtles, sharks, orcas, reefs and plastic pollution.

• Shea Polley, Florida. Runs sea turtle conservation and environmental education initiatives.
• Destiny Joy Sagay, Georgia. Leads plastic pollution cleanups and wildlife protection efforts.
• William Tan, Minnesota. Works on aquatic ecosystem conservation through what the announcement calls innovative reef technology.
• Cash Daniels, Tennessee. Raises awareness of shark conservation and ocean stewardship.
• Nateli Sanderson, Washington. Protects orcas and salmon through habitat restoration and outreach.

What the winners' grants have already paid for

The small grants are already funding fieldwork, and the winners helped choose 102 more grant recipients.

• Projects underway. Since receiving grants, the winners have guided peers through native plantings, led reef restoration events and installed bat boxes in critical habitats.
• Turtle care packages. The work has also included turtle-themed care packages handed out to pediatric cancer patients.
• 102 more grants. The winners helped select additional youth-led Roots & Shoots projects, resulting in 102 grants awarded across 32 states and territories.

Anna Rathmann, CEO of the Jane Goodall Institute USA, tied the winners back to the program's founder.

"Our 10 challenge winners are inspiring examples of Dr. Jane Goodall's deep held belief that young people are our greatest reason for hope. These young people embody the power of hope and action." Anna Rathmann, Jane Goodall Institute USA

Disney's support for Roots & Shoots now tops $7.5 million

The new gift adds to three decades of fund spending and a youth program that reaches 75 countries.

• Program reach. Founded in 1991 by the late Dr. Jane Goodall, Roots & Shoots is active in 75 countries, including all 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico.
• The fund's total. Over 30 years, the Disney Conservation Fund has directed more than $141 million to conservation programs around the world.
• The institute. The Jane Goodall Institute, founded in 1977, works from 30 offices on wildlife research and rehabilitation, community-led conservation and youth engagement.
• Where to learn more. Program details are at janegoodall.org and rootsandshoots.org.

Our take. The summit was for the 10 winners only, but Roots & Shoots runs in all 50 states, so a child who comes home from Disney's Animal Kingdom wanting to help wildlife has a local program to join.