Eco-Kid Spotlight

Arjay McCandless

To a 7 year-old, birthdays take a “google-times-infinity” to come and when they finally do, your typical 7 year-old will ask for a mountain of gifts that reaches the sky, or that one toy they have been dreaming about every night. But Arjay McCandless is no typical 7 year-old. Like most young boys he relishes in playing outside searching for long-legged spiders, cool snakes and basking lizards, but what makes Arjay special is his fervent altruism for the safety of his beloved creatures. When Arjay’s long awaited seventh birthday finally came he asked his friends and family not to bring gifts to his party, but instead donations for SaveNature.Org’s Adopt An Acre® program in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. His very generous party guests donated a total of $175 and Arjay as well as his 9 year-old sister each put in $10 of their hard earned money. An ecstatic Arjay was able to save one and a half acres of rainforest in Costa Rica and ultimately all of the endearing animals that he cares for so much.

If you would like to be featured as SaveNature.Org’s Eco-Kid Spotlight for February 2009 send your environmental story to sharyl@savenature.org.

Cool Camouflage Creatures

Dead leaf katydid from Costa Rica (conservationreport.com)

Have you heard of the leaf mimicking katydids that live in Costa Rica? Their entire body is shaped like a leaf and some are so well adapted that they even have rough edges on their wings and spots resembling a decaying leaf. Check out some awesome pictures of camouflaged animals from around the world.

Shopping for a Cause and Greening Your Holiday

Happy Holidays, everyone!!

Yes, folks! It's that time of year again.. time to spread some holiday cheer. :) We have some very special gifts for you to send to your loved ones. This holiday season, give them something meaningful. SaveNature.org's holiday gifts show that you care about them as well as protecting endangered wild lands. Choose between coral reef in Palau, Micronesia, or rainforest in Costa Rica, and add it to one of these great gift sets:

Holiday gifts to save endangered habitats in rainforests and coral reefs!


♦ Tips to green your holiday ♦


You can also help save nature while shopping at the stores you normally visit such as Amazon, iTunes, eBay, Old Navy, Macy's, and many more. With every purchase you make, a percentage will go to SaveNature.org to continue our mission of saving endangered rainforests and coral reefs.. and it won't cost you anything extra! Just click on Giveness and you'll be on your way to shopping for a cause!

BYOB. Bring Your Own Bags to the mall. Re-using bags or using canvas bags to shop isn't just for grocery shopping. We've seen some pretty chic bags out there, start a fashion trend for the planet.

Re-gifting. In today's penny-pinching economy, re-gifting may not seem like a bad idea. Instead of wasting your money on gas to shop for new gifts, look around your house to see what you could possibly give away to a loved one. Include a handwritten note that says, "I know you have always loved this vase, and I want you to have it." Oh, and what about those three coffee grinders you received for your wedding?.....

Gift Wrapping. Try using one of these earth-friendly gift wrappers: A beautiful scarf or handkerchief that doubles as a bonus gift or using compostable materials such as re-used paper and raffia. A colorful page from the comic section or perhaps the end page of the New York Times magazine - wow, smart and thoughtful.