The Walt Disney Company today announced that it will celebrate Earth Month with an enterprise-wide campaign led by National Geographic to inspire audiences to appreciate the world around us using the power of storytelling.
Throughout April, the ourHOME campaign will feature exciting new content releases, as well as digital and experiential activations, and will showcase global efforts to protect, restore, and celebrate the natural world — allowing viewers, fans, and followers to discover there is even more to love about this place we call home.
Returning after its successful inaugural year, the ourHOME campaign is rooted in Disney and National Geographic’s shared legacy of transformative storytelling that inspires a deeper connection to our world. Disney is committed to taking meaningful action to support a healthier planet for people and wildlife, a commitment that helped to inspire the creation of the Disney Conservation Fund (DCF), which kicks off a yearlong celebration of its 30th anniversary as part of the ourHOME campaign. DCF will award more than $500,000 in philanthropic grants this April to nonprofit organizations working to provide inspirational experiences for youth to connect with nature and support wildlife and wild places in their communities.
Available all year long, the ourHOME Collection on Disney+ celebrates the beauty, awe and wonder of our planet through acclaimed content such as Secrets of the Octopus, Queens, and A Real Bug’s Life, along with the full library of Disneynature films. Additionally, three global premieres will debut during Earth Week: National Geographic’s Secrets of the Penguins, along with Disneynature’s Sea Lions of the Galapagos and Guardians of the Galapagos.
Secrets of the Penguins premieres Sunday, April 20, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on National Geographic, with all episodes streaming Monday, April 21, on Disney+ and Hulu. Featuring Emmy® and BAFTA Award-winning Nat Geo Explorer Bertie Gregory and narrated by Blake Lively, this latest installment in National Geographic’s Emmy-winning Secrets of franchise takes viewers of all ages to the farthest corners of the world to witness penguin behaviors captured on film for the first time — showcasing the cute and fluffy flightless birds as they brave some of the most extreme environments on Earth.
Sea Lions of the Galapagos premieres Tuesday, April 22, on Disney+. This all-new feature film, narrated by Brendan Fraser, dives underwater with Leo, a handsome sea lion pup who’s learning how to navigate life alongside his mother, Luna. Leo must leave his mother’s colony to find his own home — a monumental quest fraught with challenges and new encounters with an array of creatures, from marine iguanas and racer snakes to yellowfin tuna and giant Galapagos sharks.
Guardians of the Galapagos also debuts April 22 on Disney+. Blair Underwood narrates this behind-the-scenes look at Sea Lions of the Galapagos as the Disneynature crew captures intimate sea lion behaviors while showcasing the challenges that threaten the archipelago and the community of champions — the Guardians of the Galapagos — who work to protect this magical place.
National Geographic is the most-followed brand on social media and connects with more than 780 million followers across its social channels. The ourHOME campaign will leverage this unrivaled social presence to showcase the planet’s magical wildlife and wild places with curated daily posts on relevant Disney and National Geographic handles. During the Nat Geo Your Shot ourHOME challenge (#NatGeoYourShotOurHOME), fans can share their own incredible images that celebrate the beauty of nature for a chance to be featured on @NatGeoYourShot.
“We are thrilled to be celebrating the return of the ourHOME campaign, which unites the power of Nat Geo storytelling and Disney’s commitment to supporting a healthier planet through best-in-class content and experiential offerings,” said Courteney Monroe, President, National Geographic. “Together, we hope to inspire explorers of all ages to discover and preserve our beautiful planet.”
The ourHOME campaign will feature activations across The Walt Disney Company, including the following:
Content
- ourHOME Collection on Disney+ – Disney+’s evergreen ourHOME Collection features content that celebrates the beauty, awe and wonder of our planet.
- Secrets of the Penguins – The latest installment of National Geographic’s Emmy-winning Secrets of franchise, featuring Gregory and narrated by Lively, premieres April 20 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on National Geographic, with all episodes streaming April 21 on Disney+ and Hulu.
- Sea Lions of the Galapagos – The all-new Disneynature feature film, narrated by Fraser, premieres April 22 on Disney+.
- Guardians of the Galapagos – A behind-the-scenes look at Sea Lions of the Galapagos, narrated by Underwood, debuts April 22 on Disney+.
- Dedicated ourHOME Spot – Airing throughout the month across all of Disney networks, Disney-owned television stations and select digital platforms
- ourHOME-Themed Programming – Programming scheduled across U.S. networks, including National Geographic, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo MUNDO, ABC News, Disney Channel, and Disney Jr.
- National Geographic Society PSA – National Geographic Society public service announcement highlighting penguin conservation work will air throughout the month on National Geographic Channel and Nat Geo Wild
Digital
- Nat Geo Social – Using the full power of Nat Geo’s social presence, ourHOME will be amplified throughout the month with curated daily ourHOME posts around the three campaign pillars: Protect, Restore, and Celebrate.
- Relevant social handles will celebrate ourHOME all month long, including @Disney, @Disney+, @NatGeo, @NatGeoTV, @NatGeoWILD, @NatGeoTravel, @NatGeoAdventure, and @NatGeoDocs.
- Fans can share their own incredible images that celebrate the beauty of the planet during the Nat Geo Your Shot ourHOME challenge. Tag #NatGeoYourShotOurHOME by April 22 for a chance to be featured on @NatGeoYourShot on Instagram.
Disney Experiences
- Guests will have the opportunity to celebrate Earth Month throughout April with special activations that include the following:
- Secrets of the Penguins photo moments and themed kids menus at select restaurants at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts.
- Disneyland Resort will host renowned TV personality and science communicator Danni Washington at the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival from April 5-6. Additionally, the Zero Waste Art Challenge is back. See the top 10 art projects created by Disneyland Resort cast members from waste and recycled items at Silly Symphony Swings in Disney California Adventure park. Vote for your favorite projects by searching “Earth Month” on the Disneyland app.
- Disney Cruise Line will offer onboard screenings of the National Geographic documentary Magic of Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, which showcases how Disney Imagineers and conservation biologists worked with the local community to create this newest island destination.
- “Celebrate Earth Month Fair” will return to Disneytown at Shanghai Disney Resort from April 18-22, with a series of themed booths and interactive activities highlighting the resort’s nature conservation commitment.
ourHOME Sweepstakes
- ourHOME National Geographic Sweepstakes – U.S. residents (18+) can enter for a chance to win a National Geographic – Lindblad Expeditions cruise for two, including airfare, for an unforgettable Antarctic adventure. Sweeps entry period is from April 15-30. Additional details to be announced.
Giving
- This Earth Month, the Disney Conservation Fund will kick off a yearlong celebration of its 30th anniversary, featuring ongoing stories of success, inspiring moments, and celebratory grants. DCF will award more than $500,000 in philanthropic grants this April to nonprofit organizations working to provide inspirational experiences for youth to connect with nature and support wildlife and wild places in their communities, including the following:
- “Promoting Biodiversity Conservation in the Galapagos, Conservation International,” in celebration of Disneynature’s Sea Lions of the Galapagos
- “A Legacy for Penguins,” National Geographic Society and Global Penguin Society, led by National Geographic Explorer Pablo (Popi) García Borboroglu, in celebration of National Geographic’s Secrets of the Penguins
- “Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots,” Jane Goodall Institute
- “REEL WILD™ NEW YORK Film Festival,” Wildlife Conservation Society
- “Party for the Planet,” Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Community
- Across the globe, dedicated Disney VoluntEARS are coming together to make an impact — leading more than 60 projects throughout April, including special initiatives on Earth Day. From cleaning up local parks to restoring rivers and much more, thousands of Cast Members, crew members, Imagineers, and employees will work together to create a brighter future for the planet.
- Cast members in Los Angeles, New York, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and Bristol will have the opportunity to sign up for clean-up projects in their communities with Keep America Beautiful.
Cast Members
- Special Earth Month employee engagement screenings and events will be held around the world.