Disney and National Geographic Invite Audiences to ‘Step into Wonder’ This Earth Month to Celebrate and Explore the World Around Them

This April, The Walt Disney Company will celebrate Earth Month with a global, enterprise-wide initiative led by National Geographic inviting audiences to “Step into Wonder.” Anchored by the unparalleled legacy of storytelling, conservation, and exploration shared by Disney and Nat Geo, Earth Month will spotlight a dynamic slate of content and experiences designed to inspire a deeper connection to the natural world.

The campaign builds on Disney’s decades-long commitment to protecting and sharing the wonders of nature through entertainment, education, and impact-driven action. From new premieres and immersive activations to global storytelling and conservation milestones, this monthlong celebration reflects Disney’s belief that understanding our planet is the first step toward protecting it.

“For 138 years, National Geographic has been guided by a spirit of exploration that opens hearts as much as it expands minds,” said Courteney Monroe, President, National Geographic. “With ‘Step into Wonder,’ we’re putting that spirit 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.”

As the driving force behind “Step into Wonder,” National Geographic is inviting audiences of all ages to experience the wonders of the planet — both big and small — and care for the world everyone shares. The global storytelling campaign features an exciting lineup of engaging content, including the premiere of National Geographic’s Secrets of the Bees, and digital and experiential activations that spark curiosity and exploration.

“Step into Wonder” activations throughout Earth Month include:

• The Wonder List
  • This digital hub, Kids YouTube series, and printable PDF is filled with simple, surprising prompts that encourage families to explore the world around them. Each week in April highlights a theme — stars, clouds, trees, or rocks — with daily ideas for hands-on discovery.
• The Wonder List Event (April 17-23)
  • This experiential activation at the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles, California, is inspired by the Wonder List’s four weekly themes. The event features large photo-worthy Nat Geo Yellow Border frames, interactive medium frames, and discoverable small frames, all designed for guests to snap, explore, and experience the magic of nature all around them.
• The Earth Month Collection on Disney+
  • • The Earth Month Collection on Disney+ will celebrate the wonders of our planet through acclaimed National Geographic content 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).
• Earth Moods: Livestream Experience
  • This ambient, meditative livestream features curated Earth Moods episodes and Earth Moods: Frequencies Vol. 1 by Maejor. The experience will stream 24/7 all month long on NatGeo’s YouTube, with special Earth Day livestreams on Facebook and TikTok.
• “Step into Wonder” Earth Month Social Series
  • This daily social video series highlights National Geographic and Disney talent, along with National Geographic Explorers, sharing their personal moments of wonder, including Piper Curda, Kermit the Frog, Antoni Porowski, National Geographic Explorer Joel Sartore, and Will Smith.
• Nat Geo Social
  • National Geographic, one of the most-followed brands on social media, will also bring the “Step into Wonder” campaign to its global social community of more than 801 million followers with daily curated posts, as well as content highlights connected to the Earth Month Collection on Disney+. Company social handles will celebrate Earth Month across Instagram, Facebook, X, Threads, YouTube and TikTok, including @Disney, @Disney+, @NatGeo, @NatGeoTV, @NatGeoAnimals, @NatGeoTravel, @NatGeoHistory, @NatGeoScience, @NatGeoYourShot, @NatGeoFamily, and @NatGeoDocs.
• YourShot Earth Month Challenge
  • The Earth Month edition of the YourShot Challenge invites the global photography community to capture images that reflect the wonder of the natural world. Tag #NatGeoYourShot by April 22 for a chance to be featured on @NatGeoYourShot on Instagram.
• Nat Geo Digital Editorial
  • Earth Month editorial packages will appear across NatGeo.com and social platforms, including content such as National Parks Guides, One Week Naturalist packages tied to the Wonder List themes, Photo of the Day, and Birding content.
• Disney+ Perks: Free Six-Month National Geographic Digital Subscription
  • Disney+ is introducing a brand-new Disney+ Perk, offering eligible subscribers a no-strings-attached six-month National Geographic digital subscription. Subscribers who redeem the subscription can also unlock an addon offer for three complimentary National Geographic Kids magazines, available once the digital subscription is activated. Offer valid from April 2-30, 2026. Visit www.disneyplus.com/perks for more information.*

Two global premieres will also debut this Earth Month: Nat Geo’s Secrets of the Bees and Disneynature’s Orangutan.

• National Geographic’s Secrets of the Bees, from National Geographic Explorer at Large, executive producer, and Disney Legend James Cameron, is now streaming on Disney+ and Hulu. Hosted and narrated by Emmy^®– and BAFTA Award-winning National Geographic Explorer Bertie Gregory, the two-part series uses groundbreaking filming technology to reveal the extraordinary world of bees. With the expertise of entomologist and fellow National Geographic Explorer Dr. Samuel Ramsey, the series uncovers their astonishing architecture and intelligence, unlocking their secrets and featuring never-before-filmed moments.
• Disneynature’s Orangutan premieres April 22 on Disney+. Narrated by Disney Legend Josh Gad, this all-new original film takes viewers high in the treetops of the world’s most majestic rainforest canopy in Southeast Asia, where a magnificent and mysterious community filled with playful personalities lives. The immersive feature introduces Indah, an inquisitive adolescent orangutan learning how to navigate life as she prepares to leave her family and venture out on her own for the first time. In celebration of Disneynature’s Orangutan, the Disney Conservation Fund is supporting Wildlife Conservation International and their partner, Forum Konservasi Leuser, to protect Sumatran orangutans across more than 5 million acres of forest habitat — and to help rebuild the Ketambe Research Center and support rangers impacted by catastrophic flooding.

Disney Conservation Fund

Disney has a longstanding commitment to protecting wildlife and wild places through tangible action. For 30 years, the Disney Conservation Fund (DCF) has supported science-based, community-driven efforts that protect wildlife, restore ecosystems, and strengthen connections between kids and nature. To date, DCF has directed more than $141 million toward conservation initiatives that have helped protect 300 million+ acres of habitat, supported 1,000+ species, provided 18 million+ nature experiences for kids, and positively impacted 20 million+ people worldwide. This year in celebration of the 30th anniversary of DCF, Disney is supporting 25 organizations across 16 countries that aim to protect 120,000 square miles of wildlife corridors globally. The celebration began in March with the launch of Disney and Pixar’s Hoppers kids and nature initiative with Jane Goodall’s Roots and Shoots, which encourages youth to take action in their communities. Ten young leaders to be selected to attend the DCF 30th Anniversary event later this year.

Continuing the celebration of Earth Month and the 30th anniversary of the Disney Conservation Fund, Disney has launched “30 Days of Stories,” a special storytelling initiative featuring a new conservation or sustainability story each day, counting down to Earth Day on April 22. Highlighting Disney’s global footprint, “30 Days of Stories” showcases the people, partnerships, and projects driving meaningful environmental progress — from protecting wildlife and restoring ecosystems to advancing sustainable innovation and empowering communities. These initiatives are examples of Disney Planet Possible, the company’s commitment to take meaningful and measurable action for a healthier planet for people and wildlife.

Disney Experiences

Earth Month celebrations will come to life across Disney Experiences with interactive offerings designed to engage guests of all ages. During the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival, National Geographic Explorer Dr. Sammy Ramsey will host a special Secrets of the Bees weekend activation from April 4-5, featuring on‑the‑ground interactions and social content opportunities. Across Disneyland Resort hotels, guests will encounter a National Geographic-themed experiential pop‑up, complete with an iconic Nat Geo Yellow Border photo opportunity, lawn games, California wildflowers, and more. Guests visiting Disneyland Resort may also receive the April issue of National Geographic magazine, offering another way to engage with the wonder of the natural world throughout Earth Month.

Programming

The Walt Disney Company will also celebrate Earth Month across its broader portfolio with themed programming scheduled across U.S. networks, including National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, ABC News, ABC Owned Television Stations, Disney Channel, and Disney Jr.

• The ABC News Weather, Climate & Science Unit will air dedicated programming across Good Morning America, World News Tonight with David Muir, 24/7 streaming news channel ABC News Live, and digital platforms throughout Earth Month. Led by chief meteorologist and chief climate correspondent Ginger Zee, the team will focus on community, including a partnership with the ABC News Investigative Unit on why public-facing FEMA maps and flood zones may not tell the full story for homeowners, “Ginger’s Climate Makeover” helping a local family learn how to live a more sustainable lifestyle, and additional stories on living a little greener every day.
• ABC Owned Television Stations will mark Earth Month by highlighting local stories, profiles, and community events across all eight markets, as well as original programming from On the Red Carpet at Disneyland and several new Localish episodes that further explore the themes and impacts highlighted in National Geographic’s Secret of the Bees.
• Disney Channel will air themed episodes of Big City Greens, Kiff, Phineas and Ferb, Hamster & Gretel, and Primos, while Disney Jr. will air wonder-themed interstitials from Nat Geo Kids in front of episodes.

Honoring Disney’s Legacy

Disney’s legacy of nature-based entertainment spans generations and is deeply woven into the company’s creative history. From True-Life Adventures (1948), which introduced real-world wildlife storytelling to audiences in a creative way, to animated classics and Disney Parks attractions inspired by the beauty and power of the natural world — including Bambi (1942) and The Lion King (1994), as well as the Jungle Cruise at Disneyland Resort — Disney has long believed that storytelling can foster curiosity, understanding, and connection. This foundation reflects Walt Disney’s enduring philosophy that exploration and learning through storytelling can inspire audiences to better understand the world around them.

That legacy continues today through National Geographic and Disneynature, setting the gold standard for cinematic, fact-based storytelling about the planet. Through premium films and series such as Secrets of the Penguins (2025), Sea Lions of the Galapagos (2025), Secrets of the Octopus (2024), A Real Bug’s Life (2024), Polar Bear (2022), Secrets of the Whales (2021), Elephant (2020), Dolphin Reef (2020), and Penguins (2019), Disney continues to bring the natural world to life with authenticity, heart, and awe — showcasing wildlife, ecosystems, and the delicate balance that sustains them.