Disney and Nat Geo promote conservation via storytelling

The Walt Disney Company is marking Earth Month with a global initiative led by National Geographic, inviting audiences to Step Into Wonder. The campaign combines storytelling, conservation, and immersive experiences to inspire audiences to connect with the natural world.

The month-long initiative spans Disney’s entertainment, experiential, and digital platforms, featuring premieres, activations, and programming designed to highlight the planet’s wonders and promote environmental awareness.

Digital and experiential engagement

The campaign includes The Wonder List, a digital hub and Kids YouTube series offering themed weekly prompts encouraging hands-on discovery of stars, clouds, trees, and rocks. An experiential activation at the La Brea Tar Pits from April 17-23 will bring these themes to life with interactive photo frames and installations.

Disney+ will host the Earth Month Collection, featuring National Geographic titles such as Ocean with David Attenborough (2025), Cheetahs Up Close with Bertie Gregory (2026), and the second season of A Real Bug's Life (2025). Additionally, Earth Moods, a 24/7 livestreamed ambient experience, will stream on YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok.

Premieres highlight biodiversity

Two global premieres are central to the celebration: National Geographic’s Secrets of the Bees, executive produced by James Cameron and hosted by Bertie Gregory, explores bee intelligence with groundbreaking filming technology; and Disneynature’s Orangutan, narrated by Josh Gad, follows a young orangutan navigating the rainforest canopy in Southeast Asia.

The Disneynature release coincides with conservation support for Sumatran orangutans through Wildlife Conservation International and Forum Konservasi Leuser, protecting over five million acres of habitat and rebuilding research facilities.

Social, community, and editorial activations

National Geographic will extend the initiative to its global social audience of over 801 million followers across Instagram, Facebook, X, Threads, YouTube, and TikTok. The YourShot Earth Month Challenge invites photographers worldwide to share images of the natural world using #NatGeoYourShot.

Nat Geo editorial packages on NatGeo.com will include National Park guides, One Week Naturalist content, Photo of the Day features, and birding content, while Disney+ is offering a six-month digital subscription to National Geographic for eligible subscribers.

Disney Experiences and network programming

Interactive activations will run across Disneyland Resort and California Adventure, including pop-ups, games, and photo opportunities. Disney’s broader network portfolio—including National Geographic Channel, ABC, Disney Channel, Disney Jr., and Disney+—will air themed content and highlight local environmental initiatives. ABC News programming will feature community-focused sustainability stories led by chief meteorologist Ginger Zee.

Legacy of storytelling and conservation

Disney’s commitment to nature-based storytelling spans generations, from True-Life Adventures (1948) to animated classics like Bambi (1942) and The Lion King (1994), and Disney Parks attractions such as Jungle Cruise. Through National Geographic and Disneynature, the company continues to deliver fact-based cinematic storytelling, bringing wildlife and ecosystems to life across multiple platforms.

Courteney Monroe, President, National Geographic: "With 'Step Into Wonder,' we're putting a spirit of exploration at the center of Disney's Earth Month, creating a platform for stories that spark a love for our planet and inspire families to step outside and celebrate the everyday wonders of our world."

www.thewaltdisneycompany.com

www.nationalgeographic.com

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