How To Get a Free Tattoo of Your Favorite Endangered Species

This fall, 15 Californians will get to wear their environmentalism on their arm – permanently and in ink.

Tatzoo, a contest launched by San Franciscan Molly Tsongas with Together Green and the National Audubon Society, will award 15 young adults with a tattoo of their favorite California endangered species in exchange for 100 days of environmental activism.

After the pool of entries is narrowed down to 15 (the deadline to enter is Aug. 5), the finalists will be given a handheld video camera to document their actions. They'll have to reach out to at least 100 people about protecting their species of choice.

If the green leaders follow through on their commitment, world-class tattoo artists will ink the endangered animal or plant on the finalist for free. The species available for tattooing (and protecting) include the bay checkerspot butterfly and the leatherback turtle, among 13 other threatened California natives.

Contest organizers hope that this creative, hip challenge will help encourage long-term environmental consciousness and wilderness awareness among young people. 

--Sarah A. Henderson