Nature.org Winner for Best Non-Profit Charitable Website and People’s Choice Award in the 13th Annual Webby Awards

ARLINGTON, VA — May 5, 2009 —The 13th Annual Webby Awards today named The Nature Conservancy's Web site, nature.org, as Best Charitable Non-Profit Web site of the year.

In addition, nature.org has been voted by the global Web community as Best Charitable Non-Profit website in the Webby People's Choice Awards – an uncommon double award for a single category. More than 500,000 votes were cast in the balloting.

The Conservancy will be honored at a star-studded ceremony hosted by Saturday Night Live’s Seth Meyers on June 8th in New York City. On June 9th, fans will be able to watch the ceremony, including a five-word acceptance speech from the Conservancy, at the official Webby Awards YouTube Channel. A full list of both Webby Awards and People’s Voice Awards winners can be found at:
http://www.webbyawards.com/webbys/current.php?season=13

Hailed as the “Internet’s highest honor” by The New York Times, The Webby Awards is the leading international award honoring excellence on the Internet, including Web sites, interactive advertising, online film and video, and mobile Web sites. The Webby Awards is presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, a 650-person judging academy whose members include Internet co-inventor Vint Cerf, R/GA’s Chief Bob Greenberg, “The Simpsons” creator Matt Groening, Arianna Huffington and Harvey Weinstein.

“The Webby Awards honors the very best of the Internet,” said David-Michel Davies, executive director of the Webby Awards. “Nature.org's achievement is a testament to the skill, ingenuity and vision of its creators.”

"It's an honor to even have been included in such an accomplished list of nominees," said Elizabeth Ward, the Conservancy's director of marketing communications. "And we are equally honored to be in the rarified company of other Webby Award winners such as Rock the Vote, NYTimes.com, TheAtlantic.com and others."

"But what makes this news particularly special is our People's Choice Award," added Ward. "To have been celebrated by both Web professionals and people worldwide who are committed to conservation is immensely gratifying and humbling."

The 13th Annual Webby Awards received nearly 10,000 entries from over 60 countries and all 50 states.

Founded in 1996, The Webby Awards are known worldwide for its famous five-word speech limit. Past Webby Award winners – and their speeches - include Al Gore (“Please don’t recount this vote”), Beastie Boys (“Can anyone fix my computer?”), and Stephen Colbert (“Me. Me. Me. Me. Me.”)

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. The Conservancy and its more than 1 million members have protected nearly 120 million acres worldwide. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at www.nature.org.