Audubon Society Raises Over a Million Dollars!
By Urban Milan
March 3, 2017
March 3, 2017
Audubon Society Gala 2017
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The National Audubon Society hosted its annual Gala on March 1, 2017 at the beautiful Gotham Hall in New York City. The organization awarded two of the nation’s most prestigious environmental honors: the Audubon Medal and the Dan W. Lufkin Prize for Environmental Leadership. Frances Beinecke, former president of the Natural Resources Defense Council, was awarded the Audubon Medal for her leadership in finding solutions to the biggest environmental challenges of our time. Nathaniel P. Reed received the $100,000 Lufkin Prize for his instrumental role in shielding Florida’s natural resources from today’s threats.
The bird-themed evening began with a video homage to Emmy-winning actress Jane Alexander and American Crime’s Lili Taylor, who co-emceed the evening and highlighted the conservation legacies of both honorees. Newly elected Audubon Board Chair Margaret Walker and Audubon President and CEO David Yarnold continued with inspiring remarks and shared their faith in Audubon’s distributed and powerful grassroots conservation network during the new Administration. |
Following dinner, Paul Tudor Jones introduced the evening’s first honoree, Nathaniel P. Reed who was awarded the honorable Lufkin Prize. The Prize was established by Dan W. Lufkin’s family in honor of his love and dedication to supporting conservation and environmental causes. The prize is meant to honor individuals who have dedicated their lives to on-the-ground conservation.
Carol Browner, former Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, introduced the night’s Audubon Medal honoree: Frances Beinecke. She stated, “I accept this award as a symbol of what the environmental movement and communities have achieved. We are facing a challenge as never before with the new administration. It’s especially an honor to be here with Nathaniel Reed, an inspiration to all of us. Through his work, I learned what the power of persuasion really was.” The Audubon Medal is one of the highest honors in conservation, awarded only 56 times since 1947. Past recipients include Rachel Carson, Robert Redford, Ted Turner, and the Rockefeller family.
The Gala welcomed over 300 guests and raised over $1.1 million to support the National Audubon Society’s climate change program and conservation work. For more information on the Audubon Society and on to support the organization visit: http://www.audubon.org/
Carol Browner, former Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, introduced the night’s Audubon Medal honoree: Frances Beinecke. She stated, “I accept this award as a symbol of what the environmental movement and communities have achieved. We are facing a challenge as never before with the new administration. It’s especially an honor to be here with Nathaniel Reed, an inspiration to all of us. Through his work, I learned what the power of persuasion really was.” The Audubon Medal is one of the highest honors in conservation, awarded only 56 times since 1947. Past recipients include Rachel Carson, Robert Redford, Ted Turner, and the Rockefeller family.
The Gala welcomed over 300 guests and raised over $1.1 million to support the National Audubon Society’s climate change program and conservation work. For more information on the Audubon Society and on to support the organization visit: http://www.audubon.org/