StartOneConversation Campaign Connects Chicagoans to Global Conservation

CHICAGO, Illinois — October 30, 2007 — Billionaire. Danger. Bleach. These three words are among 50 conversation starters presented by The Nature Conservancy in Illinois to encourage Chicagoans to talk about the global conservation issues that impact their daily lives. Vibrant images from Chicago and around the world are paired with conversation starters in the series of displays currently posted across the city and online at www.StartOneConversation.org. The awareness campaign, StartOneConversation, was created by the Conservancy with Stone Ward of Chicago.

“The compelling photographs and unexpected headlines in the advertisements contrast with the congested backdrop of the city,” said Leslee Spraggins, state director for The Nature Conservancy in Illinois. The displays appear in busy areas including airports and Metra train stations. “By drawing the attention of Chicagoans to a beautiful image of an orange coral reef in the Bleach ad, for example, we are able to begin a broader conversation about the reef’s connection to climate changes across the globe,” said Spraggins. In addition to sparking conversations, the campaign creates an opportunity for Chicagoans to observe their own connection with the natural world.

Conversation starters are organized into three categories: climate change, economic impact, and habitat preservation. The range of topics covers everything from changes in rainfall to the financial impact of the Asian longhorned beetle to the precipitous decline of the migratory bird population. “The Nature Conservancy is committed to the long-term survival of nature and people all over the world,” said Tom Lillig, director of account management for Stone Ward in Chicago. “This campaign seeks to give a wake-up call to our target audiences and provide them with the information and motivation to start conversations with their friends, colleagues and family members.”

Those inspired by one of the conversation starters can share their thoughts on the campaign website by participating in polls and offering their own ideas about critical conservation issues. In addition, The Conservancy hosts live panel discussions on critical issues in conservation in Chicago this fall with the University of Chicago’s Graham School of General Studies. The closing lecture, “The Future of Conservation,” is set for November 6. Together, the campaign and the lecture create unprecedented opportunities for concerned citizens, business people, scientists and scholars to engage in a dynamic exchange on these critical issues.

For more information on the work of The Nature Conservancy in Illinois, visit www.nature.org/illinois

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. To date, the Conservancy and its more than one million members have been responsible for the protection of more than 18 million acres in the United States, including more than 80,000 acres in Illinois, and have helped preserve more than 117 million acres in Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific.