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Universal Pictures and the Conservation Fund Invite People Around the Planet to Get on Board

Posted on: Tuesday, 24 April 2007, 15:00 CDT

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. and ARLINGTON, Va., April 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Pictures and The Conservation Fund are celebrating Earth Day and Arbor Day by teaming to launch the Get On Board initiative, with http://www.getonboardnow.org/ as its centerpiece. The website, which is now live, features the "Almighty Forest," an online destination where people can take real action to slow the effects of global warming.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060316/LATH064LOGO)

For a donation of $5, payable via credit card, visitors can plant a virtual tree in the "Almighty Forest," knowing that 100% of the money goes to The Conservation Fund to plant real trees that help reduce greenhouse gases around the globe. Donations, which are tax-deductible in the U.S., can be in the donor's name, given as a gift or dedicated in memory of a friend or family member. Trees can be acquired individually, in "groves" of 50, or as a "forest within the forest," with a donation equaling 1,000 trees. The "Almighty Forest" is an engaging interactive experience that makes it possible for members to customize their virtual trees and connect with other environmentally aware individuals via social networking functionality. Get On Board members who donate at least one tree before June 22, opening day of "Evan Almighty", will have their names included on the DVD.

The site also features a carbon calculator that totals an individual's yearly carbon "footprint," real-time "green news" updates via an RSS feed, practical tips for incorporating environmentally friendly habits into everyday life and behind-the-scenes scoop on the upcoming event comedy "Evan Almighty". "Evan Almighty", starring Steve Carrell and Morgan Freeman and directed by Tom Shadyac, is the first major motion picture comedy to Go Zero(SM) and "zero out" the carbon emissions generated through the production of the film. The Conservation Fund's Go Zero program makes it easy and affordable for individuals, corporations and communities to measure and offset their carbon dioxide emissions by planting trees in protected areas.

"Many people want to make a positive impact on the environment, but they aren't sure how," said Jena Thompson of The Conservation Fund. "The Go Zero initiative makes it easy to understand the long-term implications of our everyday actions -- and then do something about it. Get On Board is all about inspiring and empowering people to reduce their carbon footprint -- by calculating what it is and taking simple steps to make a change for the better."

From the beginning of production, the cast and crew of "Evan Almighty" were on board with the Go Zero challenge -- limiting emissions by choosing bicycles over vehicles while filming in Los Angeles, Virginia and Washington, D.C.; donating leftover materials from the set to Habitat for Humanity; and recycling whatever possible. Director Tom Shadyac has long believed in giving back and is a committed supporter of numerous charitable organizations. In addition to being one of the most successful directors in Hollywood -- with credits including "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective", "The Nutty Professor", "Liar Liar", "Patch Adams" and "Bruce Almighty" -- he is founder of bottled-water company HtoO, Hope to Others, which donates 100% of profits after taxes to charities around the world.

About The Conservation Fund

The Conservation Fund is the nation's foremost environmental nonprofit dedicated to protecting America's land and water legacy for current and future generations. Seeking innovative conservation solutions for the 21st century, the Fund works to integrate economic and environmental goals. Since its founding in 1985, the Fund has helped its partners safeguard wildlife habitat, working landscapes, community "greenspace" and historic sites totaling more than 5.8 million acres. With 1% fund raising costs and 96% program allocation, The Conservation Fund is recognized as the nation's top rated environmental nonprofit by both the American Institute of Philanthropy and Charity Navigator. http://www.conservationfund.org/.

About "Evan Almighty"

Steve Carell, reprising his role as the polished, preening newscaster Evan Baxter of "Bruce Almighty", is the next one anointed by God to accomplish a holy mission in the hilarious new comedy "Evan Almighty". Blockbuster comedy director Tom Shadyac returns behind the camera for this next episode of divine intervention. This time, however, his cast grows two-by-two.

Newly elected to Congress, Evan leaves Buffalo behind and shepherds his family to suburban northern Virginia. Once there, his life gets turned upside-down when God (Morgan Freeman) appears and mysteriously commands him to build an ark. But his befuddled family just can't decide whether Evan is having an extraordinary mid-life crisis or is truly onto something of Biblical proportions...

About Universal Pictures

Universal Pictures is a division of Universal Studios (http://www.universalstudios.com/). Universal Studios is part of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric, with 20% controlled by Vivendi.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060316/LATH064LOGOAP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

Universal Pictures

CONTACT: Michelle Cox, +1-323-807-5754, jmichellec@gmail.com, forUniversal Pictures; or Jena Thompson, +1-703-908-5809,jthompson@conservationfund.org, for The Conservation Fund

Web site: http://www.universalstudios.com/http://www.conservationfund.org/http://www.getonboardnow.org/

Source: PRNewswire

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