Vegetarianism is the most effective way to help save the environment, an animal rights activist told a group of about 25 in an Adams House common room last night.

Morgan A. Leyh, speaking on behalf of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), met with an audience interested in forming an organization of vegetarian students.

Leyh, who is the coordinator of PETA's newly-formed College Action Campaign, came to Harvard as part of her tour of New England colleges.

She was contacted by Marc R. Romanoff '01 and Douglas S. Muller '00-'01, who, along with Thomas R. W. Blair '03, have an application for a new student organization called Vegitas pending at University Hall.

The student leaders defined Vegitas as a "vegan, vegetarian, animal rights type group" and said Leyh's speech was one of their first meetings. They said the group's activities will be determined by the interests of its members.

PETA, formed in 1980 by a handful of volunteers, now has 100 employees in four countries and about 600,000 members worldwide. The group focuses both on case-by-case issues of advocacy and campaigns aimed at informing the public.

Leyh, who has worked on campaigns for PETA, once dressed up as "Libby the Lobster" at a lobster fest in Maine. She said she also enjoys confronting fur coat-wearers on the street.

Now, Leyh dedicates most of her time to helping student groups organize on college campuses.