Leonardo DiCaprio, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos have launched a $200 million conservation fund to help recover endangered species worldwide.

The fund supports the Phoenix Species Project, a new initiative created by Re and the Bezos Earth Fund. The project aims to help 100 species that face imminent extinction. It covers mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebrates and plants in 30 countries.

The $200 million commitment marks the largest single philanthropic effort focused on recovering critically endangered species.

Funding for Species Recovery

The Bezos Earth Fund will contribute $100 million to the project. Re will match that amount with support from DiCaprio, Age of Union and the Todd Graves Family Foundation.

DiCaprio helped bring the Bezos Earth Fund into the initiative through his friendship with Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos.

Rather than offering short-term grants, the Phoenix Species Project will provide long-term funding. Organisers say this approach will help conservation groups achieve lasting results.

Global Conservation Efforts

The project will work with Indigenous Peoples, local communities, scientists and conservationists. More than 100 local and international partners will lead recovery efforts in different regions.

Each partner will develop plans that suit the needs of individual species and habitats. The project will support recovery work in environments ranging from oceans to volcanic plains.

The initiative also supports countries working toward Target 4 of the CBD Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The target calls on governments worldwide to “halt extinctions and improve the conservation status of endangered species.”

The Reverse the Red Action Partnership will help governments identify priority species and carry out recovery actions.

Key Organisations Behind the Project

The IUCN Species Survival Commission, the world’s largest volunteer conservation science network, will serve as the project’s global knowledge partner.

DiCaprio co-founded Re in 2021 alongside Dr Wes Sechrest and other conservation scientists. The organisation focuses on protecting biodiversity and restoring vulnerable habitats.

Please follow and like us: