Leonardo DiCaprio and Jeff Bezos’ $200 million fund aims to restore endangered species
Leonardo DiCaprio, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos announced the creation of a 200 million dollar fund aimed at recovering endangered species. The initiative marks a significant commitment to global conservation.
The collaboration between Re:wild, Leonardo DiCaprio’s organization, and the Bezos Earth Fund resulted in the launch of the Phoenix Species Project, a program focused exclusively on saving endangered species.
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The project will offer support for the recovery of around 100 species on the brink of extinction, including mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, fish, invertebrates and plants, in 30 different countries. The habitats served range from oceanic ecosystems to volcanic plains, with an approach that involves indigenous peoples, local communities, scientists and environmentalists.
The initial contribution of 200 million dollars establishes this initiative as the largest single philanthropic action aimed at the recovery of species in critical condition. The Bezos Earth Fund will contribute $100 million, and Re:wild will match that amount, with support from Leonardo DiCaprio, Age of Union and the Todd Graves Family Foundation. Jeff Bezos’ participation was mobilized by DiCaprio, due to their friendship.
The proposed initiative goes beyond small, short-term grants, ensuring ongoing and necessary investment to accelerate wildlife restoration. More than 100 partners, both local and international, will coordinate the work, adapting recovery strategies to the particularities of each species and location.
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This project also supports nations committed to Goal 4 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which sets out to halt extinctions and improve the conservation status of threatened species. The Reverse the Red Action Partnership acts as a partner, assisting governments in identifying priorities and implementing rescue actions.
The collaboration also extends to the IUCN Species Survival Commission, recognized as the largest global network of volunteers in conservation science, which will act as a global knowledge partner in the endeavor.
Re:wild was founded in 2021 by Leonardo DiCaprio, Dr. Wes Sechrest and other conservation scientists with a mission to protect and restore biodiversity and vulnerable wildlife habitats around the world.
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In turn, the Bezos Earth Fund focuses its efforts on protecting and restoring the natural environment, through innovative solutions and global partnerships. Tom Taylor is the CEO of the organization, which operates under the direction of President Jeff Bezos and Vice President Lauren Sánchez Bezos.
