Leonardo DiCaprio’s Re:wild and the Bezos Earth Fund have launched the Phoenix Species Project, an initiative dedicated to recovering endangered species, backed by an initial $200 million commitment.
Details:
- The scope: The project will support recovery for 100 species facing imminent extinction — spanning mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, fish, invertebrates and plants — across 30 countries, in habitats ranging from oceans to volcanic plains.
- The funding: The $200 million initial commitment makes it the largest single philanthropic initiative dedicated to recovering critically endangered species. The Bezos Earth Fund will commit $100 million, matched by Re:wild with support from DiCaprio, Age of Union and the Todd Graves Family Foundation.
- How it came together: The Bezos Earth Fund was recruited by DiCaprio thanks to his friendship with Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos.
- The approach: The initiative moves beyond small, short-term grants toward sustained investment, with more than 100 local and international partners leading work tailored to each species and place, in collaboration with Indigenous Peoples, local communities and scientists.
- The framework: The project supports countries pursuing Target 4 of the CBD Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which calls on governments to halt extinctions, with the IUCN Species Survival Commission serving as global knowledge partner.
What to Watch:
The rollout timeline and which of the 100 species will be prioritized in the first phase have yet to be detailed.
Source: Variety
