SUNSET BEACH -- The international credit card and travel company American Express has recognized Second Life's virtual tree replanting effort.

Second Chance Trees , the project started by the social media company Converseon in April (See SLNN story here ) is a nonprofit effort that lets SL residents buy virtual trees for $L300. The money then goes to replanting a real tree in a native rainforest.

As part of the American Express Members Project , the global payments company has listed the 'Virtual Forest Project. One Millions Trees. Easy" among 50 socially responsible ideas in fields ranging from Arts & Entertainment, to Business, Education, Health, Fun, and the Environment. American Express is placing up to $5 million U.S. into play as it recognizes the power of people to identify and vote for issues that are important to them.

Second Chance Trees needs a few hundred votes by July 15 to make it through the next phase toward American Express's funding of the project. A Second Chance Trees media demo has been uploaded on YouTube to attract votes.

For those without an American Express card, support can be shown by visiting the Second Chance Trees region. There, L$300 can go towards purchasing one of the species of trees currently endangered in real life rain forests. Avatars can then plant the virtual tree on the island. In exchange for this gesture, Plant-It 2020, a company dedicated to protecting real life endangered trees, commits to plant a tree in one of the at-risk ecosystems. With the funding provided by American Express, the Second Chance Trees project will support the planting of one million trees in Latin America and Africa. "This reforestation project will not only reduce harmful greenhouse gasses but will also help to feed tens of thousands of people," explains Michael Thau of Converseon.

The project will need people's support to continue existing. "The critical thing for us now, is to try to get American Express members to vote for us by July 17th and hopefully keep the only Second Life initiative alive!" says LL Platypus, aka Paul Young, who has been doing most of the Second Life outreach on behalf of Converseon.