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

ST. LOUIS, Jan 15 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 successfully 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.
(314) 878-8427
info@mclus.org

This release was issued through WebWire(R). For more information visit
http://www.webwire.com.
SOURCE Monteverde Conservation League, U.S.

Rachel Crandell, Monteverde Conservation League, +1-314-878-8427,
info@mclus.org