EARTH presented by Disneynature

On September 1, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment releases EARTH on Blu-ray and DVD! This trio of unforgettable stories is woven together by award-winning filmmakers Alistair Fothegrill (“The Blue Planet) and Mark Linfield (“Planet Earth”), and narrated by Academy Award-winner James Earl Jones. In Blu-ray, the film gives audiences an unmatched opportunity to view its dizzying aerial photography, epic backdrops and rare footage of land, sea and air in astonishing high definition. Bonus material includes a making-of featurette and more!

Choose your mission:
Do your part

Choose the ways you and your family will help the humpback whales and their families. These are especially great tips for kids!

Seek out information about conservation issues
- Check out books from your local library on whales and the places where they live to learn more about these amazing animals.
- Watch nature shows and films about humpback whales to find out more about their cool adaptations and behaviors.
- Contact local conservation groups to find out what they are doing to help animals like the humpback whale and to learn how you can get involved.
- Visit zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to see marine mammals, support marine mammal conservation, and learn more about how you can animals like whales in the wild.

Reduce, reuse, recycle, and replenish
- Conserve water at home . Help your parents check for leaky faucets and encourage them to use cold water in the wash. Challenge your entire family to take shorter showers, turn off the water when brushing their teeth, and make a rain barrel. This saves water for animals (and people) everywhere.
- Remember, all drains lead to the ocean! Be careful what chemicals, pesticides, and household products you use. Encouraging your family to use green cleaning products is one way to help keep waterways clean. Finding alternatives to chemical pesticides is another way to help wildlife. And recycling motor oil and disposing of hazardous waste properly can ensure pristine lakes, rivers, and oceans for future generations.

Look for and purchase environmentally friendly products
- While many whales are protected from hunting, they sometimes still end up trapped in nets or fishing line intended for other animals. If your family eats seafood, make sure it is “whale and dolphin safe” – meaning it is caught in a way that won’t hurt other animals.
- When dining out, have your parents ask if the seafood is sustainable – meaning it is caught in a way that won’t hurt the fish population or other animals (such as whales and dolphins).
- When fishing, use eco-friendly gear such as fishing line that will decompose and lead-free spinners and weights. Learn about environmentally friendly hooks that can reduce damage to fish during catch-and-release fishing trips. All of these things can help protect aquatic animals and habitats.

Spread the word to others about the importance of wildlife and wild places
- Do a school project on humpback whales and share your findings with your class.
- Present a report on whales at a local science fair.
- Write to your local, state, and national representatives to encourage them to support whale-friendly legislation.
- Tell your friends how cool humpback whales are and why it is important to protect them.
- Start a humpback whale club at school to raise awareness for these special animals.

Support conservation organizations through contributions and volunteerism
- If you live near a waterway, whether it is a river, wetland, lake or ocean, do your part by participating in a water clean-up with your family.
- Check with your local EPA or US Fish and Wildlife Departments to find out the water quality in your area and how you can help keep waterways clean.
- Support marine mammal conservation organizations such as Whale Trust, or water conservation organizations.
- Support eco-tourism by taking a family trip to observe whales in their natural habitat!

Create habitats for wildlife in your backyard
- Whether you live by the ocean or in the desert, you can still make a difference for animals that depend upon water. Create aquatic habitats for animals in your backyard by putting out a bird bath or fountain, creating a pond, or making a rain barrel.
- Many animals migrate like humpback whales; you might even have migrating animals in your backyard! Butterflies and birds are great examples of migratory animals – create homes for both by building a butterfly garden and hanging a bird house.

I really enjoyed watching this with my kids. My kids? Absolutely loved it. They were glued to the screen the entire time and had tons of questions when the movie was over (thank God for both Google and inquisitive eleven year olds!).

The footage was stunningly beautiful. The mama polar bear and her cubs? Please. I think I ovulated it was adorable. I think I fell in love with the humpback whales and suddenly want to quit my job and champion their cause. And even I, who loathes birds, was impressed with their migration.

And James Earl Jones narrated the entire thing. Need I say more?

The movie does portray the "circle of life" and while there is no blood or gore, there are scenes in which animals are taken down by a predator. Viewers with younger children could likely use this as a learning opportunity, but it's worth noting.

Overall, I loved this and plan on buying another copy as a Christmas gift for a nature-loving kid in my life.