Teen Stars Lend their Voices to Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Aug. 20, 2009 – The Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund is expanding its circle of friends with Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato and the Jonas Brothers lending their voices on a new song called “Send it On.“

The inspiring tune is part of Disney’s “Friends for Change: Project Green” which is a multiplatform initiative to encourage young people to help the planet by making small changes in their daily routines, such as reducing energy consumption and recycling items. Proceeds from the sale of the anthem, now available on iTunes, will benefit environmental charities through the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund.

So far, more than 350,000 kids have registered with “Friends for Change: Project Green” on Disney.com. Kids participating in the initiative have made their voices heard in determining how Disney should distribute the first installment of the $1 million that will be donated to environmental causes over the next year. As a result of their votes:

· $100,000 will help protect arctic wildlife including polar bears from the effects of climate change (implemented by Wildlife Conservation Society).

· $50,000 will be contributed to the Children's Forest in Los Angeles where kids can help plant new trees (implemented by the San Bernardino National Forest Association).

· $50,000 will help protect endangered tropical forests in the Philippines (implemented by Birdlife International and their partner, Haribon).

· $25,000 will be donated to help end deforestation and introduce fuel efficient stoves to protect local habitats in Rwanda (implemented by CHF International).

· $25,000 will go toward helping end the deforestation in Central Mexico's Oyamel forest (implemented by ECOLIFE Foundation).

· $10,000 will help replant trees in wildfire-damaged Florida state forests (implemented by Arbor Day Foundation).

Disney's “Friends for Change” focuses on a key environmental theme each quarter. The program recently tackled “climate concerns” and is entering the "water" phase in which young people are asked to take simple actions to conserve the precious resource, such as turning off the water while brushing their teeth.