A major piece of Hawaiian real estate has hit the market. The owners of Hana Ranch, a 4,500-acre property on Maui have listed it for $65 million. The Honolulu Star Bulletin recently reported that Hana Ranch Partners LLC, the majority shareholder of which is a part of the Getty Trust, has been looking for foreign buyers from Asia, Europe and Canada. The partners, which also include San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom, have been searching for a buyer for more than a year. Hana Ranch Partners purchased the property as an investment in 2001 for about $25 million and wants to find conservationists to preserve the rural nature of Hana. A conservation easement agreement with the Maui Coastal Land Trust saves 41 oceanfront acres from development and designates 100 acres of the land for affordable housing. So far the property hasn't been marketed for residential development. The listing is here.

The Surfrider Foundation is dedicated to preserving the world's oceans, waves, and beaches, and works to further that mission through educational programs and the development of grassroots awareness. Their programs include everything from the expected like monitoring water quality and teaching kids to respect the beach to the slightly less expected, like information on how to create an "ocean friendly garden" that reduces runoff and harmful pollutants.

You can take part in their programs hands on if you live near any of the nations coasts (they have chapters pretty much everywhere) or join online and support them from anywhere.

Lifesavers Inc. is all about saving horses -- all kinds from unwanted or homeless domestic pets to retired working animals to wild mustangs. Created in 1997 it's a fairly young organization that serves as a source of news and contacts to other horse related campaigns (like this one geared towards saving America's wild mustang population) and events like this horse dancing competition and this women's empowerment workshop. They also provide links to horse rescue resources and homeless horses that are available for adoption -- I love horses and seeing these that need a home makes me wish I had room for a one!

Every year numerous chimpanzees are left homeless and unwanted after they've lived out their usefulness to humans as research animals, circus performers, and exotic pets. Chimp Haven is a non-profit organization that steps in to give these neglected animals a place to live out their lives in a natural and humane environment where all they have to do is be themselves.

Started in April of 2005 and located in Louisiana, Chimp Haven also serves as the The National Chimpanzee Sanctuary and is looking to branch out into additional smaller sanctuaries in the future.

The United States is a beautiful place, but it won't stay that way if we don't take measures to protect the natural and historic elements that make it so special. Founded in 1965, the America the Beautiful Fund encourages citizens to take initiative and make volunteer efforts to protect this country and keep it beautiful. In the last 40+ years the America the Beautiful Fund has developed over 50,000 projects in all 50 states, and as the population and environmental concerns grow the need for volunteers and financing will only get greater.

Founded in 1981, the Snow Leopard Trust (SLT) is the longest running and largest organization working solely to protect the endangered snow leopards of Central Asia. The snow leopard shares the same ranking on the World Conservation Endangered List as the tiger and the panda, with an estimated population of only 5,000 worldwide.

The Snow Leopard Trust realized early on, that without the help of those residing near the snow leopards, any attempts to save them would be in vain. Conservation programs are therefor designed not only to preserve snow leopards and their fragile habitat, but also to increase the quality of living for local citizens. In exchange the locals agree to help the SLT protect the wild cats from illegal killing and trade. The SLT offers a fun way for people to help their plight, you can adopt an adorable snow leopard cub for $50! "New Parents" receive an adoption certificate and a 5x7 glossy of their cub, as well as a year membership to the SLT!

By now we've all heard about the devastating effects of global warming, (I picture a polar bear trying to find his favorite ice berg that just isn't there anymore). The Alaska Marine Conservation Council (AMCC) is based in Anchorage, and it's members include marine scientists and conservationists, as well as concerned citizens from across the globe. While the rapid loss of ice in the Bering Sea and Arctic Ocean is a main concerns of the AMCC, they also focus on helping the local economy and preserving coastal traditions. Protecting local bays from certain types of damaging fishing practices are also among their efforts to preserve the beautiful coastal area. The AMCC receives much praise for their work and they rely on the growing concern of the general public to help them further their achievements. Visit the website to sign up for their quarterly newsletter, Sea Change to learn more. Simple practices like turning off lights around your house or buying products that have earned the "energy star" are easy ways you can help preserve Alaskas fragile costal environment.

The Everlands destination club is a relatively new club for those with a passion for the outdoor life. Members have unlimited access to 45 of the most iconic places of natural beauty on Earth, and Everlands promises to conserve these destinations for future generations. The Club has also established a Conservation Foundation that will award The Everlands Conservation Prize annually to individuals who demonstrate innovation, creativity and daring in conserving nature. The award is funded by a portion of Membership fees and annual dues.

The first destination to become part of Everlands is the Point on Saranac Lake in New York's Adirondacks region. This former Rockefeller estate is ranked as one of the top boutique lodges in the world. Other properties that are part of the first acquisition phase include Lone Mountain Ranch in Montana; Lake Rotoroa Lodge in New Zealand; The Inn at Blueberry Hill on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts; Mangrove Cay Club in the Bahamas; Bristol Bay Lodge in Alaska; and Castle Hot Springs in Arizona. Future acquisitions will include a country estate in Devon, England; a wild partridge habitat in central Spain; an Atlantic salmon property in Iceland; an estancia in Patagonia; and a game reserve in Kenya.

Membership to Everlands is by invitation only. Each Member pays a one-time Membership fee, as well as annual Club dues. Everlands is owned entirely by its Members, who own a pro rata equity interest in the Club Membership Corporation. Everlands Members co-own the land, buildings, and all real property. The Membership fee is $1 million, with early-in opportunities for Founding Membership starting at $475,000 and there are annual dues of $40,000. A 15 percent deposit is required by each Member when they sign up and will be returned with interest if initial Membership goals are not achieved. The balance is due when the Club secures 100 Members, at which time the properties will be available to Members only. Until then, Everlands properties will continue to operate as usual and are open to all guests.

Established in 1995 and existing on 2,700 acres in Hohenwald, Tennessee, The Elephant Sanctuary is devoted to providing a safe refuge for endangered Asian and African elephants that are old, needy, and sick after being retired from zoos and circuses. It is also passionate about educating others on the crisis facing these large and gentle creatures, and working to stop the capture and training of elephants from their natural habitats to perform in circuses and safaris. They have 23 elephants total in the sanctuary, and you can meet them all by name and picture and either send a general donation or sponsor a specific "girl" after reading each of their bios and getting to know them in photo albums.