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DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE ACTION FUND'S VIRTUAL EARTH DAY MARCH TOPS 90,000 PARTICIPANTS
Record Number of "e Marchers" Signs Up to Protect Nation's Wildlife and Wild Places

Washington, D.C.-- Over 90,000 concerned Americans have already signed up for this year's Earth Day Virtual March to Leave No Species Behind. This online protest sponsored by Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund was launched to fight back against unprecedented Bush administration and congressional attacks on America's wildlife and its habitat. By Earth Day -- April 22nd -- the group is expecting at least 100,000 participants.

"This record-breaking level of support for the Earth Day virtual march should send a clear message to President Bush and the Congress -- Americans recognize that the environment is being sold out to the highest bidder by legislators like Congressman Richard Pombo (R-CA), who think more about their special interest political contributors than their constituents. The public isn't going to stand idly by and let it happen," said Rodger Schlickeisen, president of Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund. "The virtual march is a great opportunity for citizens to let their senators and representatives know that the Endangered Species Act, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, offshore drilling and countless other environmental issues are non-negotiable."

This is only the second year that the virtual march is being held. It has grown by about 40,000 participants since last year, and it is expected to keep gaining popularity as the event continues. 

The effort, in partnership with Care2.com, features a special Web site, www.EarthDayVirtualMarch.org, where citizens can voice their opposition to selling off our national parks; undermining protections for endangered plants and animals; drilling off of our beaches and in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; and relaxing safeguards against mercury and pesticide pollution.

Through www.EarthDayVirtualMarch.org, individuals can sign up for the march, design their own protest sign and e-mail their senators and representative. A map also indicates where marchers are signing up across the nation.

"We're only a few days away from Earth Day and we are still seeing new marchers constantly signing up," continued Schlickeisen. "There is still time to join and let it be known that our world, the one that our children will inherit, is not for sale to special interests."

Marchers are also encouraged to spread the word to their friends and family. In fact, the success of this march has grown under its own power through word of mouth of the participants. There has been no paid advertising or money spent on recruiting, so this is truly a grassroots movement that is sweeping through the nation.

Marchers who sign up fellow marchers will be eligible to have their names included in a final drawing for a special Earth Day virtual march iPod Nano. To date seven iPods have been awarded to marchers from Michigan, Minnesota, Florida, California, Kentucky, Washington and Texas. 

Care2 www.care2.com is the leading online destination and action center for people with a passion for leading a healthy, responsible lifestyle and supporting progressive causes. Along with its own 5 million members, Care2 is building a powerful network of online communities to collectively make a difference in the most important social, health and environmental causes of our time.  

Care2's affiliated site, www.thepetitionsite.com, has hundreds of petitions supporting a wide range of environmental and progressive issues.

Affiliated with Defenders of Wildlife, the Defenders Action Fund is 501(c)(4) organization created to provide the wildlife conservation community with a stronger voice in the political process. For more information, see www.defendersactionfund.org.