Junior tree-huggers have a new tool in their planet-saving arsenal: Habitat Heroes, the first global social-networking Web site that brings eco-savvy kids together so they can share their ideas on protecting the environment, while learning about the issues at stake through interactive games and tools.

On the site, kids can adopt an animal from an endangered species, play games, learn fun facts about the environment, and communicate with other young eco-warriors. They can select and personalize animal avatars—which are limited per species to the actual number of animals left in the real world—to represent them on the site, as well as decorate the habitat where their avatars live.

For animal avatars looking to socialize or share their ideas for fighting climate change, the “Watering Hole” is where the action’s at. Parents who are leery of online chats can rest easy; safety features have been built into the site and online conversations are monitored. Still worried? You can also limit the use of this function or any other feature on the site.

One tack that helps kids focus on the importance of giving back to the planet is “creature cash,” a form of currency Habitat Heroes uses that can be spent at food, clothing, and other shops on the site. Because “creature cash” can only be earned after they complete environmental challenges, the kids learn that they can only indulge in the fun of say, feeding their avatar sushi or dressing it in new clothes, after they give Mother Nature a much-needed assist. 

Money raised by Habitat Heroes goes to environmental non-profits such as Global Green U.S.A., PlayPumps International and The Climate Project.

by Jasmin Malik Chua, Jersey City, USA -Treehugger.com