The Scene: The National Audubon Society’s 2015 Gala Dinner 
The National Audubon Society hosted its annual Gala Dinner on Tuesday, March 31st at The Plaza Hotel 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. Jack and Laura Dangermond, founders of Esri, were awarded the prestigious Audubon Medal, recognizing them for their outstanding achievements in the field of technology and conservation innovation, and support for research institutions, schools, and non-profit organizations. Spencer B. Beebe, founder of Ecotrust, and co-founder of Conservation International, received the third annually awarded $100,000 Lufkin Prize for Environmental Leadership, one of the largest awards in environmental recognition. Beebe was chosen to receive the award because of his lifelong focus on integrated solutions that that build ecological and economic value.
New to this year’s event, 20-year-old street art prodigy Boy Kong worked on a live art installation during the gala’s cocktail reception. Boy Kong is one of serval artists participating in the Audubon Mural Project, a community art project that helps support and bring awareness to Audubon’s recent Birds and Climate Change Report. The movement is transforming NYC’s West 140s and 150s into a fresh and modern outdoor art gallery with a focused mission to draw attention to the 314 bird species that are threatened by climate change. Boy Kong’s piece, a canvas painting of a wood duck, was sold during the gala’s silent auction for $9,500.
Kate Flannery served as the event’s colorful Master of Ceremonies, reminding the audience of where they might know her from- “Many of you may know me as Meredith, the divorcee with a bit of a drinking problem, from NBC’s hit comedy The Office.” I’m hoping that’s why the bartender in the terrace room cut me off after one glass of wine. I do have to say, he was really gracious about it, though…that’s the Plaza,” Kate joked with the audience during her opening remarks. Kate’s amazing sense of humor brought a great spirit to the gala, which was expected by Audubon. The actress is an active supporter of the organization, recently starring in a PSA for Audubon’s Toyota TogetherGreen program.
After the audience finished the herb crusted Filet Mignon with a crushed herb jus, Kate invited Cecil Andrus, National Audubon Society Emeritus Board Member, to the stage to present Spencer B. Beebe with the Lufkin Prize. Cecil spoke of the plethora of Beebe’s work and achievements in the field of environmental conservation, including founding Ecotrust, and co-founding Conservation International. Beebe’s remarks painted a narrative that highlights the importance of working together. Spencer noted the “undeniable reality that we the human species are about one of tens of millions of species, and while unique in so many extraordinary ways, we are all an inseparable, interdependent and wholly visible part of a larger community of life.” Spencer continued saying that “this world view requires that our conversation strategies embrace the whole system. Social justice, economic opportunity and conversation, are all part of a larger whole.”
The Lufkin 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.
David Yarnold, President & CEO, and David Ford, Chairman of the National Audubon Society, presented Jack and Laura Dangermond with the Audubon Medal for their dedication to the environment and their development of innovative technology that has allowed the National Audubon Society to advocate for conservation solutions, and to share data that has empowered citizen scientists throughout its chapters across the country. The Audubon Medal is one of the highest honors in conservation, awarded to only 53 past recipients, including Rachel Carson, Robert Redford, Ted Turner, and the Rockefeller family. With the help of Esri technology and the support of Jack and Laura Dangermond, Audubon has had the opportunity to improve the world and drive change using the power of geographic information system (GIS) technology.
Jack Dangermond took the stage on behalf of himself and his wife Laura. “This acknowledgement is special because it acknowledges the work that we’ve been doing,” Jack said. He accepted the award on behalf of their colleagues at Esri, partners in the NGO space, and Esri’s users all over the world. “Their work is the real science.” Jack continued and went on to discuss the GIS software Esri created noting that “technology fills in all of the blanks, and will become a nervous system for the planet.” Jack later noted his total respect for everything about nature, “But also I respect the trending aspects of what’s happening in the technical world. If we can bring these two worlds together, like what the Audubon Society is doing, I will have a lot more hope for the future.” Jack concluded his remarks saying “I am very deeply moved by this honor, and I am going to respect it for the rest of my life.”
The evening welcomed 350 guests and raised over $1.2 million to support the National Audubon Society’s conservation work.
Guests included: David Yarnold, Jack and Laura Dangermond, Spencer B. Beebe, Kate Flannery, Lili Taylor, Harry Lennix, Jane Alexander, Alexis Maybank, Julianne Michelle, Marinet Matthee, Mariana Santana, Jim Greenwood, Leonard Lauder; Gary Knell, Thomas Laffont; Leonard Lauder; David and Jane Walentas; John Loeb, Jr.; Norman Peck; Dan Lufkin; Nell Newman; David Ford; Mark Gilbertson; Alexandra Lind; Louis Rose; Richard Saul Wurman, and more.
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