Second Chance Tree Project Takes Reforestation From Virtual World to Physical World
Purchase and Plant One of 10 Tree Species in Second Life, and Trigger the Planting of an Actual Tree in an Endangered Rainforest
NEW YORK, April 09, 2007 - In an unusual environmental initiative that bridges the virtual and real worlds, Converseon and Plant-It 2020 today unveiled the "Second Life Second Chance Tree Project." The project allows socially conscious individuals in a virtual world to make a difference in the physical world through the reforestation of environmentally sensitive regions.
For the price of 300 lindens (or about one U.S. dollar), visitors to Second Life can purchase and plant one of 10 species of trees on a designated island in the virtual community. The planting of a tree in Seond Life will trigger Plant-It 2020, a non-profit organization founded by the late singer John Denver, to plant the same species of tree in the endangered rainforest to which it is indigenous. The virtual island is accessible online at: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Second%20Chance%20Trees/139/127/31/.
"Our Second Chance Tree Project is an innovative way to allow individuals to immersively participate in a reforestation initiative by connecting their virtual world to a real world action," said Rob Key, CEO of Converseon, a leading social media communications agency.
"Social media environments, like Second Life, can be powerful environments to encourage this type of socially responsible collaboration in a more meaningful way," added Michael Thau, executive director, Plant-It 2020. Key added: "In a social media environment, it is critical for organizations seeking acceptance to first provide something of intrinsic value to the community, instead of pushing a commercial agenda. Who hasn't seen the community backlash against blatant marketers in these worlds?"
The Second Chance Tree Project is centered on an island designed to replicate real rainforest fauna and wildlife. Visitors to the island can learn about the planet's endangered rainforests while exploring hidden caves, riding along the river, and participating in multi-media educational information about the dangerous of deforestation. Among the
ten species of trees featured in the Second Chance Tree Project are the Tamarind, Pink Shower, Soursop tree, and Neem tree. Each virtual tree purchased and planted will be matched with a real tree planted in needed regions including Costa Rico, Brazil and other endangered rainforest environments.
Various events will be held on the island, and within Second Life and other social media environments, to support the initiative.
Founded in 2001, Converseon is a leading social media communications company designed to help organizations "join the conversation" to meet communications objectives.
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Plant-It 2020 is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit foundation dedicated to properly planting, maintaining and protecting as many indigenous trees as possible worldwide.
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With more than 2 million residents, Second Life is a 3D online world with a rapidly growing population from 100 countries around the globe, in which the Residents themselves create and build the world which includes homes, vehicles, nightclubs, stores, landscapes, clothing, and games.
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Founded in 2001, Converseon is a leading full service social media communications agency that helps a range of leading brands "join the conversation." Services include Conversation Mining, affiliate and word of mouth marketing, blog and social network development, search engine optimization, collaborative community design, Second Life development initiatives, among others. Converseon works with leading organizations to develop and implement innovative social media strategies. Interested parties can contact Converseon directly at info@converseon.com.
Plant-It 2020 is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit foundation dedicated to properly planting, maintaining and protecting as many indigenous trees as possible worldwide. In addition to replenishing cities and forests, Plant-It 2020 also periodically provides educational workshops on forestry issues to thousands of children. Founded by the late Singer John Denver in 1992, our reforestation projects in many countries often directly help humanity by increasing crop production, and fresh water availability while reducing cyclical flooding and drought.
With more than 2 million residents, Second Life is a 3D online world with a rapidly growing population from 100 countries around the globe, in which the Residents themselves create and build the world which includes homes, vehicles, nightclubs, stores, landscapes, clothing, and games. The Second Life Grid is a sophisticated development platform created by Linden Lab, a company founded in 1999 by Philip Rosedale, to create a revolutionary new form of shared 3D experience. The former CTO of RealNetworks, Rosedale pioneered the development of many of today's streaming media technologies, including RealVideo. In April 2003, noted software pioneer Mitch Kapor, founder of Lotus Development Corporation, was named Chairman. In 2006, Philip Rosedale and Linden Lab received WIRED's Rave Award for Innovation in Business. Based in San Francisco, Linden Lab employs a senior team bringing together deep expertise in physics, 3D graphics and networking.
