In September, a team of more than 50 Disney Africa VoluntEARS visited the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Conservation Campus and the Cape Town office to perform community service.

Joined by a number of EWT headquarters pack members, the volunteers did a sterling job of clearing and beautifying an area below the Conservation Campus’s parking lot.

Volunteering is an important and enduring part of the Disney culture. Through VoluntEARS, local Disney Africa employees dedicate their time and professional skills to local community projects.  

Before getting their hands dirty at the Conservation Campus in Midrand, the Disney Africa voluntEARS were introduced to the story behind the EWT and the work that happens every day to conserve the habitats both species and people rely on, the protection of Endangered species, and the work to support communities so they can live in harmony with nature. 

The presentation traced the EWT’s beginnings with a single species, the Cheetah, to its broader conservation work today, while highlighting a simple but powerful message: conservation is a team sport.

This was followed by a safety briefing, and the team receiving gloves, spades and pruners from the EWT’s Campus management officials before getting down to the nitty-gritty of alien species removal. 

After spending the morning working in the area close to the wetland and enjoying a braai, the team participated in a creative workshop called Rebrand the Bad Guy: Can We Change the Story about Vultures? 

This session dealt with the vital ecological role vultures play and the threats they face. The Disney team then worked in groups to develop and pitch creative ideas that could help change the way vultures are portrayed and perceived. The concepts were judged and a winning team was selected. 

By giving their time and energy, the Disney Africa volunteers were reminded that even practical actions on the ground can be part of something much bigger, helping protect Africa’s wildlife, wild spaces, and the people who depend on them. We look forward to the Disney Cape Town Community Service Day later this year.