Wangari Maathai Honored by Disney
April 6, 2006
Wangari Maathai at the Aberdare National Forest, Kenya, October 2004. Photo by Mia MacDonald.
Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (6, April 2006)—Wangari Maathai was among five conservationists honored by the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund on Thursday, April 6. Maathai received a $100,000 grant from the Fund on behalf of the Green Belt Movement.
Others receiving $100,000 awards on behalf of their conservation interests were comedian John Cleese, primatologist Jane Goodall, African elephant researcher Iain Douglas-Hamilton, and actress Isabella Rossellini.
“I’m deeply honored that the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund sought to recognize the work of the Green Belt Movement in this way,” Maathai said. “The conservation of the environment and good governance are vital to the peace and health of the planet, which the Norwegian Nobel Committee recognized in honoring me with the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. Only through conserving and protecting the environment, promoting good governance and democratic space, and working toward peace can we achieve a world in which all people share in development that is truly sustainable.”
Disney executives and media from around the world gathered at the Walt Disney World Resort at Disney’s Animal Kingdom April 6 and 7 as part of the grand opening of the park’s new thrill ride, Expedition Everest.
"These very special people who have devoted their lives and lent their voices to conservation, are the key to engaging the public in caring for animals," said Jerry Montgomery, senior vice president of Walt Disney World Public Affairs. "The adventures and excitement at Disney's Animal Kingdom help us share conservation stories with our guests, and we are thrilled that many of them join our global conservation efforts through the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund. Together, we are making a difference for wildlife and wild places─we are helping to create the next generation of Disney's conservation legacy."
John Cleese is the founder of Conservation Matters, actress Isabella Rossellini works with the Andean Cat Alliance and other groups, elephant researcher Ian Douglas-Hamilton founded Save the Elephants, and primatologist Jane Goodall established the Jane Goodall Institute.
As part of the festivities, Maathai joined others on a “safari” through Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
The donations totaling $500,000 were a landmark for the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund. The Fund has now given $10 million in eight years to various conservation efforts.
Others receiving $100,000 awards on behalf of their conservation interests were comedian John Cleese, primatologist Jane Goodall, African elephant researcher Iain Douglas-Hamilton, and actress Isabella Rossellini.
“I’m deeply honored that the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund sought to recognize the work of the Green Belt Movement in this way,” Maathai said. “The conservation of the environment and good governance are vital to the peace and health of the planet, which the Norwegian Nobel Committee recognized in honoring me with the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. Only through conserving and protecting the environment, promoting good governance and democratic space, and working toward peace can we achieve a world in which all people share in development that is truly sustainable.”
Disney executives and media from around the world gathered at the Walt Disney World Resort at Disney’s Animal Kingdom April 6 and 7 as part of the grand opening of the park’s new thrill ride, Expedition Everest.
"These very special people who have devoted their lives and lent their voices to conservation, are the key to engaging the public in caring for animals," said Jerry Montgomery, senior vice president of Walt Disney World Public Affairs. "The adventures and excitement at Disney's Animal Kingdom help us share conservation stories with our guests, and we are thrilled that many of them join our global conservation efforts through the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund. Together, we are making a difference for wildlife and wild places─we are helping to create the next generation of Disney's conservation legacy."
John Cleese is the founder of Conservation Matters, actress Isabella Rossellini works with the Andean Cat Alliance and other groups, elephant researcher Ian Douglas-Hamilton founded Save the Elephants, and primatologist Jane Goodall established the Jane Goodall Institute.
As part of the festivities, Maathai joined others on a “safari” through Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
The donations totaling $500,000 were a landmark for the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund. The Fund has now given $10 million in eight years to various conservation efforts.