Did you know that Bambi, the protagonist of the 1942 Disney animated film, was a conservation activist? And did you know that Bambi’s tale of a fawn who grew into a stag is set in the Maine woods? Conservation research is full of such surprises.

Walt Disney, who moved to L.A. in 1923, was concerned about forest fires. So, in 1944, he allowed the California Cooperative Forest Fire Campaign to use Bambi for promotional purposes for a year. Bambi’s image appeared on posters informing Americans that individual actions can lead to a reduction in forest fires.

“Please, Mister,” one poster reads, “don’t be careless. Prevent Forest Fires. Greater danger than ever!” At that time nine out of 10 forest fires were caused by humans.

Bambi’s conservation activism was revitalized in a 2006 Ad Council partnership with the U.S. Forest Service. Once again Bambi educated people about how they can help prevent forest fires. You won’t be surprised to learn Bambi partnered with Smokey Bear.

Smokey had been around since his 1947 radio debut, voiced by radio personality Jackson Weaver in Washington, D.C. Smokey’s message, “Only you can prevent wildfires,” echoed Bambi’s message that individual actions are a crucial component of conservation work.

Smokey Bear started as a fictional character like Bambi. But in 1950 a badly burned 3-month-old bear cub was found in a charred tree in New Mexico after the Los Tablos and Capitan Gap fires burned more than 17,000 acres.

Smokey was nursed back to health and moved to the National Zoo in D.C. During the next 26 years of his life, Smokey symbolized the importance of wildfire prevention.

Not long after the Smokey Bear campaign, another conservation movement started spreading the message: “Don’t be a litterbug.” Virginia first coined the phrase that was picked up and echoed later, on a national scale, by Keep America Beautiful.

A nonprofit, K.A.B. was formed by civic and corporate leaders, including Coca-Cola and the Dixie Cup Co. They combined their corporate muscle to encourage individuals to fight against litter. Moreover, they stressed the value of recycling and they contributed to beautifying public spaces.

Now, in the face of climate change, we need much more than a cartoon character deer and an actual bear. Conservationists the world over are going big. The 30×30 initiative has commitments from almost 200 countries to reach one global goal.

Through the 30×30 initiative, by 2030 we hope to achieve effective protection and management of 30% of the world’s land, fresh waters, and oceans. The dual goals of reversing both climate change and mass extinctions are in service of the belief that nature and people can thrive together.

While this biggest conservation movement in the world echoes the catchphrase “go big or go home,” we realize a lot of the work relies on individual actions. “Everybody has something to contribute,” according to 7 Lakes Alliance in Belgrade Lakes.

Some people who enjoy the outdoors fear that initiatives like 30×30 are land-grabs that will limit access to nature. But, for the 7 Lakes Alliance, at least, almost all the land and waters they conserve are open to the public, thousands upon thousands of acres.

Get out on the water and land conserved for all of us. That’s what we conservationists do: provide the outdoor experiences most valuable and meaningful to you. That includes Maine’s long standing traditions of hunting and fishing. Better yet, it’s free.

It’s not a land-grab; it’s a wicked bargain. There’s a long list of lakes and mountains this guy with a boat has enjoyed, no entrance fee required.

As Bambi said, “Don’t be careless.” Please do what you can to care for the land, the waters, and the organizations that want only for us all to enjoy nature to the fullest extent.

One way to care is to take action, individual action. Celebrate your individuality. Pick up litter, be careful with fires, and support your local conservation group. We have your best interests in mind. Bambi and Smokey agree.