Leonardo DiCaprio and Jeff Bezos Launch $200M Phoenix Species Project
The Phoenix Species Project has been initiated by Leonardo DiCaprio and Jeff Bezos, representing a $200 million effort to restore critically endangered species. This initiative is set to aid 100 species across 30 nations, working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples, local communities, scientists, and conservationists. Funding sources include the Bezos Earth Fund and Re:wild, with additional backing from DiCaprio, Age of Union, and the Todd Graves Family Foundation. The project will make multi-year investments to monitor population recovery. Species targeted for conservation include the golden-crowned sifaka, bowmouth guitarfish, a South African succulent, Hickory Nut Gorge green salamanders, Charco Azul pupfish, and night parrots. It involves more than 100 partners and stems from a meeting in 2021 with DiCaprio, Bezos, and Sánchez Bezos.
Key facts
- The Phoenix Species Project launches with a $200 million commitment.
- Half of the funding comes from the Bezos Earth Fund; the other half from Re:wild, supported by DiCaprio, Age of Union, and the Todd Graves Family Foundation.
- The project aims to recover 100 species facing imminent extinction across 30 countries.
- Species include the golden-crowned sifaka, bowmouth guitarfish, a desert succulent, Hickory Nut Gorge green salamanders, Charco Azul pupfish, and night parrots.
- The project will work with Indigenous Peoples, local communities, scientists, and conservationists.
- It will provide sustained investment over multiple years, moving beyond short-term grants.
- The project is a collaboration with the IUCN Species Survival Commission.
- The idea originated from a 2021 meeting between DiCaprio, Sechrest, Bezos, and Lauren Sánchez Bezos.
Entities
Artists
- Leonardo DiCaprio
- Jeff Bezos
- Lauren Sánchez Bezos
- Dr. Wes Sechrest
- Todd Graves
Institutions
- Bezos Earth Fund
- Re:wild
- Age of Union
- Todd Graves Family Foundation
- IUCN Species Survival Commission
- Protecting Our Planet Challenge
Locations
- Madagascar
- South Africa
- North Carolina
- Australia
- Singapore
Sources
- Quartz —
- Robb Report —