Peter Illyn is a man with a plan — and a llama. He wants to save the environment one soul at a time, following the Christian rock festival circuit and preaching a green gospel. Illyn, with his llama in tow, is one member of a new army of “faith-based” environmentalists crusading to green America’s religious communities. These true believers have the potential to turn a conservative audience on to conservation. Indeed, religious leaders have lent valuable moral credence to such green causes as saving salmon in the Columbia River in the Northwest and protecting roadless areas in national forests. Still, Illyn and his brothers and sisters in arms have learned that God-fearing folk are none too different from the secular masses in some ways — general apathy for the issues and widespread misinformation are among the obstacles facing the crusaders.
