This is an example of how the Web works.

I know and respect a gentleman named Ted Ulle,  who posts and moderates as “Tedster” at Webmasterworld (WMW). WMW is one version of “social media”.

Curious about his recent posts (he’s WELL worth a REGULAR read) I look at Tedster’s WMW profile, where I’m reminded that Ted works for a social media consulting company Converseon, where he’s a “Senior Search Analyst”.

Okay, so I decide to learn a bit more about Converseon, since they’re a company smart enough and interesting enough to snag Ted Ulle. This is purely social network effects in operation. I join WMW. I meet and respect Ted. I look into Ted’s company.

And then, there it is: Second Chance Tree Project and Plant-It 2020

Briefly,

At Converseon’s rainforest themed SIM, Second Chance Trees Island, Second Life residents can purchase and plant a virtual copy of an endangered rainforest tree for 300 Linden Dollars (about $1.50). In turn, this triggers the planting of a corresponding tree in endangered rainforest regions in the real world.

Which in turn leads me to check out Plant-It 2020.

Plant-It 2020 is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit foundation that performs worldwide tree-planting at $1 per tree, donates fuel-efficient cooking stoves to needy families, and provides forestry, soil, and biochar education. Our services not only help reforest the world’s cities and forests – they provide direct humanitarian aid by reducing hunger, thirst, malnutrition, poverty and indoor pollution while increasing the sustainability of not only the world’s forests but also its people.

What’s the point of making this an early post at Forest.org?

So much of what happens or gets done in this life (your / my life), in our communities, in the world and online isn’t about “mere chance” or circumstance. It’s about “network effects”: I join WMW. I get to know Ted. I check out Ted’s company and their work. I dig the fact that they are backing a reforestation initiative. I post about their work and that initiative here, at Forest.org, where others may become aware of the project and the work of the various entities, including (especially) the work a Plant-It 2020.

Pay it forward? Network effects? Social media? WOMM? Blogging?

I don’t care what it’s called so long as one by-product is good works.

What you are seeing is virgin Forest.org.

Today is June 25, 2009. This isn’t an auto-fill date but the actual date that the next step in the evolution of Forest.org commenced.

Mighty oaks from little acorns grow.