Holiday Shopping Procrastinators Could Help Save the World

CI's 'Season's Greenings' campaign offers unique online holiday gifts.

Washington, D.C. (Vocus) December 21, 2007 -- Take heart those who have yet to complete - or even start -- their holiday shopping for friends and loved ones. By making an online donation at conservation.org/holidaygift (http://getinvolved.conservation.org/site/PageServer?pagename=seasonsgreenings), those looking for an innovative, and last-minute, gift option can make a tax-deductible donation in honor of someone, which will go to protect vital biodiversity across our planet.

Recipients will receive a beautiful personalized e-card on the specific date the donor selects. Each e-card includes vibrant imagery and a description of the unique environmental treasure that the gift will help protect. Gift-givers may also select to print out a gift card to supplement the e-card or to present in lieu of an online notification, such as a stocking stuffer.

The gifts are available in a variety of monetary increments, ranging from $20 to $100,000 and help solve the some of most pressing environmental issues on the planet. Gift-givers may select from 14 different online gift options, including:

-    Gifts to save endangered species such as the Tiger starting at $20.

-    A gift of only $50 to curb climate change by preserving forests in Madagascar.

-    A $500 donation to safeguard the endangered Mountain Gorilla, which faced a major setback this summer when six adults were slaughtered in the Congo, leaving two orphan babies.

-    A gift for those who have everything. A high-end gift from $10,000 to $100,000 to send a team of CI scientists to assess and help save the most biologically rich areas of the Earth.

Conservation International released a survey last month which found that a majority (53%) of Americans would prefer to receive green gifts this holiday season compared to a traditional gift of equal value. Two in five (43%) Americans also said that they plan on giving green gifts during the holidays.

SURVEY FINDINGS:

Americans Ready to Give and Get Green

-    One-third (33%) of Americans would rather spend money on a holiday gift that is environmentally friendly, compared to a traditional gift like a camera (33%) or watch (22%).

-    Clothing made from organic cotton, a donation in their name to protect an endangered species or forest, and organic personal care products were among the most popular green gifts.

-    Almost half (49%) of Americans say they do not agree that they are aware of green gifts options they could give this year.

-    Women are more interested in receiving green gifts than men (62% vs. 53%).

Survey Methodology

The survey was conducted by Opinion Research Corporation via telephone. One thousand American adults 18 years or older were surveyed from September 28-October 1, 2007. The margin of error is +/-3%. The full survey results are available upon request.

Recognition as Responsible Charity

More than 85 percent of CI's expenses go directly to conservation programs and only 4 percent to fundraising, earning CI an "A" efficiency rating from the American Institute of Philanthropy for 10 years running. CI has also received a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America's largest independent evaluator of charities.

*Photos to Accompany Story Can Be Found Here:

http://images.conservation.org/admin/packaging/viewtransmit_ext.aspx?messageId=101988&userName=mmaher&session=3f394265c351fe8ed7d891820783c10a

Media Contacts:

Marshall Maher, Conservation International

703-341-2623

www.conservation.org

Jessica Mendelowitz, Ketchum

646-935-4173

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