Facebook Applications: (Lil) Green Patch
Fight Global Warming with Social Networking Technology
Sep 5, 2009
(Lil) Green Patch is a Facebook application developed by David King and Ashish Dixit, which simulates a miniature virtual garden on the profile page of a Facebook user.
By tending to their, and their friend’s, virtual gardens, Facebook users are able to raise money for Nature Conservancy, which goes to saving the rainforest, which ultimately helps fight the global warming plaguing the world.
Donations Made Through (Lil) Green Patch
During the first quarter of 2008, Facebook users had raised over $15,000 through (Lil) Green Patch, which was sufficient to save over 13.6 million square feet (1.26 kilometers square) of rainforest. At this time, (Lil) Green Patch was one of the 10 most installed Facebook applications, boasting a staggering over five million installations and half a million active daily users.
By chipping in their pennies, Facebook users were able to raise an estimated $91,000 for the Nature Conservancy by October 2008. The number of (Lil) Green Patch users had increased to 6.3 million and the application had been ranked as one of the 5 most popular applications on Facebook. At this point in time, up to 70 million square feet of Costa Rican Rainforest had been saved.
How (Lil) Green Patch Works
(Lil) Green Patch users may plant fruit, which then helps to make the world a greener place. The developers of (Lil) Green Patch are planning to launch some new gaming features to keep the sponsors entertained. For example, the Rainbow Game involves challenging the (Lil) Green Patch users to grab a rainbow from a friend’s (Lil) Green Patch by clicking on it. The more times they are able to hold onto the rainbow before its grabbed by someone else, the more points they earn.
By using the application, sponsors, get to contribute money, which goes towards saving the rainforest. This revenue goes into funding a portfolio of reforestation projects. The most recent donation was made in May 2009, which went to the Adopt-An-Acre program of the Nature Conservancy. The developers claim to have saved over 183 million square feet of rainforest thus far.
How to Spend GreenBucks and Earn More Square Feet
GreenBucks is the virtual money that allows (Lil) Green Patch users to buy items in the (Lil) Green Patch store. The items available enable users to purchase supplies for tending the (Lil) Green Patches, themes for decorating the (Lil) Green Patches, as well as decorations. Moreover, users may also use the GreenBucks to purchase gifts which they may then give to the owners of other (Lil) Green Patches. There are various things a user may do in order to earn more GreenBucks, including:
- Log in to (Lil) Green Patch every day
- Tend the (Lil) Green Patches of other members in the (Lil) Green Patch community
- Sell plants in the (Lil) Green Marketplace at 5 -15 GreenBucks per plant
- Catch butterflies and ladybugs in the (Lil) Green Patches at 1 – 3 GreenBucks per butterfly or ladybug caught
- Buy a (Lil) Green Patch
In order to earn more square feet, (Lil) Green Patch users may:
- Host a (Lil) Green Patch widget on their personal web page, such as on MySpace or on a blog.
- Send plants to friends. For every 10 friends who receive a plant, they will earn the (Lil) Green Patch user one square foot.
- Fill out an offer in the (Lil) Green Patch application
- Buy a (Lil) Green Patch
The (Lil) Green Patch developers state that their mission is simply to raise money for Green causes and spread the word about Going Green, but to also entertain and educate users at the same time. It seems like a win-win situation, and it can become quite addicting as well.
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