Shanghai Disney Resort joined forces with National Geographic to host a Nature Conservation Forum on Monday, as well as a series of programs to celebrate Earth Day.
The forum, themed "Taking Action Together to Protect, Restore and Celebrate Our Planet", invited speakers from diverse fields to share insights and efforts related to environmental protection and wildlife conservation, aiming to further raise awareness and inspire action.
"Every year, Earth Month and the beauty of spring are great reminders of our responsibility to protect the planet we all share," said Joe Schott, president and general manager of Shanghai Disney Resort.
"This is a responsibility our resort takes seriously, and we are committed to taking meaningful and measurable action year-round to support a healthier planet for future generations. Through unique storytelling, we hope today's Nature Conservation Forum and all of our Earth Month celebrations will inspire action and collaboration in environmental stewardship and conservation efforts, creating a brighter future for us all," he added.
Xi Zhinong, a National Geographic explorer, was invited to the forum to share images and stories from his wildlife photography work.
Fueled by a love for birds, Xi embarked on wildlife photography to raise awareness of conservation through imagery and is trying to inspire more to take tangible actions to protect wildlife.
The forum also featured a panel discussion with representatives from nonprofit organizations, including the World Wildlife Fund, China Blue, and the Nature Conservancy, sharing perspectives and actions on environmental protection.
Zhu Jicheng, deputy director of the dance drama Crested Ibises, also joined the panel and discussed how this production conveys the theme of a call for cherishment to appeal for protecting endangered species. Inspired by the protected bird crested ibis, this dance drama depicts the agility and grace of these birds, prompting reflection on the human-nature relationship. Dancers from this dance drama were also invited to perform at the resort.
The annual eco-friendly market was set at the resort from April 19 to 22, featuring 22 booths themed on environmental conservation, including a new one from National Geographic. The music band JAMMitors at Shanghai Disneyland made their Earth Month debut, using makeshift instruments collected and constructed from around the resort to convey waste sorting and recycling through beats.
Engaging activities invited participation, including a nature-themed Disney Reading Together session that saw children and families learn conservation from a story from the Pixar Animation Studios film Up read by He Xin from the Shanghai Wild Bird Society on Saturday.
To experience the wetland impacts of waste firsthand, Disney VoluntEARs will participate in a beach cleanup at Shanghai's Chongming island on Friday, an important stopover for migratory birds.
Last December, Shanghai Disney Resort donated 1 million yuan ($138,050) to the China Environmental Protection Foundation to support a national nature education program, further promoting youth awareness of wildlife and habitat protection. A total of 20 student participants joined Earth Month festivities recognizing their conservation works.
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