In the sack, would you save the leatherback? Could you be a savvy lover by saving the snowy plover?
This Valentine's Day, think about taking it a little easy in the bedroom.
That's the message, anyway, from the Center for Biological Diversity, an Arizona-based advocacy group that wants to protect endangered species -- such as the leatherback sea turtle and snowy plover bird -- by limiting human population growth. To do that, they'll be blanketing St. Paul with condoms.
Why? Because when it comes to romance, Minnesota's capital city is a national hearthrob.
According to the center's written announcement this week, they've recruited volunteers to fan out across "some of the most romantic getaway cities in North America" to hand out condom packages decorated with six different endangered species.
And yes -- St. Paul, winner of a recent USA Today online poll ranking the most romantic North American cities -- is on their list.
The center will distribute 4,000 free condoms in St. Paul and Savannah, Ga.; Charleston, S.C.; New Orleans; Naples, Fla.; and Honolulu.
They say they've distributed more than a half-million Endangered Species Condoms since 2009. At biologicaldiversity.org, they've also created "Endangered Love" e-cards that people can share with loved ones through the Internet. Assorted messages include the slogan, "Love is forever, wolves should be too."
The center says the human population now exceeds 7 billion people, with 227,000 people added daily. That's making overconsumption of natural resources a pressing issue, and endangering more species. Among their proposed solutions, they're pushing for universal access to birth control and family planning.
"We're not telling people they can't have children. We want people to consider how to be responsible about it," said Taralynn Reynolds, an organizer with the Center for Biological Diversity. She said volunteers will likely distribute the condoms at bars, outdoor events and farmers markets.