Only Environmental Group With Chance to Win $50,000 Contest Fights for Survival

20 years ago a small classroom of kids in Sweden decided to raise money to save the rainforest by holding a bake sale. Today, over 54,000 acres have been sucessfully protected in what is now the largest private preserve in Central America, called the Children’s Eternal Rainforest. Supporters are fighting to survive as the only remaining environmental organization with a chance to win $50,000 in a contest called the Causes Giving Challenge. Sponsored by Facebook and the Case Foundation, the contest runs through February 1, 2008. It awards the non-profit group that gets the most individual donations with the grand prize.

Supporters are excited for the opportunity to save endangered tree frogs living in the preserve. The grand prize money would be used to protect a species of frog thought extinct - Lithobates vibicarius. A surviving population of this frog was recently found in the preserve by researchers. This discovery has given activists hope that the fight against global warming and loss of biodiversity can be won.

Environmental children’s book author and illustrator Kristin Joy Pratt-Serafini entered the group into the contest. Her latest book, The Forever Forest: Kids Save a Tropical Treasure (Dawn Publications, 2008) tells the true story of how the Children’s Eternal Rainforest was created.

“Concern for the Children’s Eternal Rainforest inspired me to make my first environmental book in 1992,” Kristin says. “I hope this contest inspires a new generation of environmental leaders. I’ve learned to never underestimate the power of motivated youth. With this contest, Facebook just ’friended’ the forest.”

Rachel Crandell, the founder of Monteverde Conservation League, U.S. says “Participants in this contest are helping ensure the endangered animals in the Children’s Eternal Rainforest will be protected forever.”

The Children’s Eternal Rainforest Cause page can be viewed here: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/view_cause/53587

The Causes Giving Challenge leader board can be found here: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/giving

About the Children’s Eternal Rainforest
Swedish school children started a worldwide effort in 1987 by sending money to Monteverde, Costa Rica to purchase rain forest and protect its priceless natural treasures forever. Today children from 44 nations have helped The Children’s Eternal Rainforest (http://www.mclus.org) become the largest private reserve in Central America, 54,000 acres.

Contact Information

Rachel Crandell

Founder

Monteverde Conservation League, U.S.

Contact via E-mail