One of the things I’ve always admired is Disney’s conservation work. Animal Kingdom is actually my favorite Disney park, and I love seeing the animals and all that goes on there. But the fact is that Disney does a lot to help the animals and our environment with their Conservation Fund, and I’m always looking for small ways that I can help out too. So in honor of Earth Day and celebrating our planet, I’m going to donate $2 of every copy sold of my book, An Educational Guide to Walt Disney World. It may not be much, but it’s at least something I can do.
A little about my book, if you’re not familiar:
The Educational Guide is set up very much like a guidebook, but almost every attraction has an educational tie-in. Some were obvious – Space Mountain has information about astronauts and outer space, and the safari has jungle animals. Some were more difficult, but almost every ride has something of educational value to it. For each ride I shared some interesting facts about the topic, recommended books or websites (plus a library call number so you can find information in your library!), discussion questions to get you talking, and project ideas for hands-on activities.
An Educational Guide to Walt Disney World is available in both a paperback form and an e-book. The paperback can be found on Amazon and Create Space, while the e-book is available on Amazon.
Keep an eye out for a number of giveaways I’m hoping to do to help spread the word!
Been on Kilimanjaro Safaris or around the trails recently? There are a number of animals you’ll find there who are endangered in the wild. Just a few that Disney is helping to protect:
Black rhino (5,000 left in the wild)
Asian Tiger (3,000 left in the wild)
Tamarin (6,000 left in the wild)
Addax (possibly less than 200 left in the wild)
African Wild Dogs (3,000-5,000 left in the wild)
Komodo Dragon (4,000-5,000 left in wild)
Aside from buying my book, what are some other ways that you can help these animals? Here are a couple of ideas:
- Next time you’re in Animal Kingdom, stop by a shop and donate a dollar or two to the fund. You’ll not only help the animals, you’ll get a button for donating as well!
- After you buy all those Disney souvenirs, recycle the bags. Recycling helps to protect the animals’ habitats. You can find a plastic recycling drop-off at http://www.plasticfilmrecycling.org. As a side note, the library where I works always welcomes sturdy plastic bags for people checking out books!
- Examine the cleaning products you purchase to make sure they are not harmful to the environment.
- Visit your local zoos, aquariums, and any other places in the community that may also be working on conservation projects and see what you might be able to do for them.
- Remember that all drains lead to the ocean! We want to protect our animal friends in the ocean too. Don’t just dump anything down the sink, double check to see if you should be disposing of it in a different way first.
- When visiting Animal Kingdom, take the train over to the Conservation Station to learn more.
- Spread the word! Sometimes the best thing you can do is talk about this stuff. Share your photos from Animal Kingdom of some of the endangered animals. Talk to your kids, your friends, your family.
What are some ways that you work to help the environment? And which of the endangered animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is your favorite?
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