WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Rainforest Trust kicked off the largest ever public auction of newly discovered species naming rights. Holiday shoppers will be able to buy the ultimate gift of naming one of 12 species recently discovered in protected areas created by Rainforest Trust and its partners across the tropics. Pre-bidding starts today with the final auction taking place at an invitation only event in Washington, DC on December 8th. All other pre-registered bidders can participate by phone and online.
“We have discovered new, amazing plants and creatures, and need to protect them and their habitats. Our auction will enable the public to help us do that. Imagine having a spectacular new species named after a loved one or an organization and knowing that their legacy is tied to saving a species!” explained Dr. Paul Salaman, CEO, Rainforest Trust.
The auction showcases 12 new-to-science species. Among the finds are an Ecuadorean blue-eyed yellow frog; a Colombian frog with leopard-like coloring; speckled red and bright green frogs; an orchid from a Colombian cloud forest that has flame-like orange and rose-colored petals; an orchid with a center resembling peach slices; a deadly trap jaw ant with a mandible that opens to 180 degrees; a grey forest mouse with soft fur and rounded ears; a legless amphibian that looks like a worm; and a giant-eyed red salamander. All proceeds will be matched and directly protects the habitat of the specific plant or animal, helping save them from extinction.
The auction takes place primarily online and by phone. Pre-bidding starts November 8 online. The live auction takes place during a private event at Clyde’s Restaurant at Gallery Place in Washington, DC on December 8. In person, online and phone bidding starts at 8pm ET that evening for pre-registered bidders. The Freeman’s Auction House will be conducting the auction with support from Invaluable, an auction aggregator. Both are donating their services.
Dr. Salaman has discovered a number of species and was the first person to organize a species naming auction in 1994 to raise funds for conservation work. Today, Rainforest Trust has brought together a record number of species to be named all at once through an auction. The Trust hopes to raise in excess of $150,000 to save these 12 unique species.
Naming a species is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for people, companies and nonprofits that are: interested in conservation and abating climate change; in search of a truly unique gift with direct impact; or wanting to leave a legacy. Interested shoppers should visit https://auctions.freemansauction.com/auction-catalog/1618B to learn more and to pre-register for the auction.
Over half of the world’s rainforests have been destroyed, and almost 70,000 acres more are lost every day. Rainforests are among the most important natural resources. They mitigate climate change, are a source of scientific discovery and support unique plants and animals that are essential to biodiversity and therefore a healthy planet. Rainforest Trust focuses on purchasing and protecting rainforests acre by acre. Over the last five years, they have saved one acre every 13 seconds.
For more information, visit www.RainforestTrust.org.
