Published results of a survey conducted in 2007 by Galaxy Research found that nearly $1Billion is spent on unwanted Christmas gifts each year. In a bid to rescue rainforests at the same time as Christmas, not for profit organisation Rainforest Rescue is running a ‘Rescue Christmas Campaign’ offering unique Rainforest Gift Cards, targeting those 'difficult to buy for' friends and loved ones.

Right now, rainforests and their inhabitants are under greater threat than ever. In Indonesia an area of rainforest equal to 300 soccer fields is being destroyed every hour - now only 6,600 Sumatran Orangutanís remain in the wild. In Australia the number of Southern Cassowaries is down to an estimated 1,000, while development in the Daintree rainforest continues. Habitat destruction is the greatest threat to these and many other endangered species worldwide and at the current rate only a few tattered rainforests will remain in the coming century.

Rainforest Rescue are protecting rainforests with projects that re-establish habitat through planting, maintenance and restoration programs, as well as purchasing and protecting high conservation value rainforest. Amongst other project outcomes, this year Rainforest Rescue successfully planted over 10,000 rainforest trees and acquired their 11th property in the Daintree, helped add 1000 hectares to the Choco Andean rainforest corridor in Ecuador and and assisted Orangutan projects in Indonesia aimed at curbing the alarming deforestation rates there.

With their 'Rescue Christmas' Campaign, Rainforest Rescue are promoting Rainforest Gift Cards devoted to a range of projects that allow purchasers to nominate number of trees planted, or square metres / hectares protected. Each card details the gift with a special front cover photo or exclusive Leunig cartoon along with an inner description of the project outcomes achieved.

Rainforest Rescue Gift Cards can be sent directly to a recipient anywhere in the world with a personalised message inside or they can be sent to the giver's address for personal delivery.

Critically endangered species like the Daintree's Southern Cassowary and Indonesia's Orangutans are among many who have little to celebrate this Christmas. And with deforestation causing 25% of global emissions, protecting rainforests is really a gift for everyone. Through their 'Rescue Christmas' campaign, Rainforest Rescue urge all those concerned for our planet to consider this easy and affordable way to find the perfect Christmas gift for everyone.

Orders can be placed online at www.rainforestrescue.org.au or by phoning 1300 763 611.