The Economic Times

In the 1990s, Disney bought 8,500 acres of Florida ranchland slated for commercial projects; decades later, it forms the core of an 11,500-acre wildlife preserve

The Walt Disney Company's generous donation successfully halted the development of Walker Ranch, transforming it into the Disney Wilderness Preserve, a haven for essential wildlife habitats. In subsequent years, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority contributed additional land, while Disney expanded the area by acquiring adjacent plots in 2014. This remarkable conservation initiative resulted in an expansive 11,500-acre protected landscape supporting diverse ecosystems.