Earlier this month, animal lovers from around the world gathered in New York City at the African Rainforest Conservancy‘s 20th annual Artists for Africa benefit.
Author Jay McInerney was the emcee and Christy Turlington Burns served as the event’s honorary chair.
“Since my first visit to Tanzania over 20 years ago, the country has held a special place in my heart,” the supermodel explained. “I have spent a lot of time traveling and working in Tanzania since that time. It is wonderful to see the great work ARC is doing and how much has developed because of their efforts. By involving the individuals from the communities in which they work, ARC teaches them the skills they need to help save their land — a great model for other organizations to follow.”
The event honored Deloitte UK with the New Species Award for its ongoing support of rainforest conservation. The prize is the name of a newly-discovered frog species (now officially known as “Nectophrynoides deloittei”). Past winners (and frog namesakes) include Harrison Ford and James Gandolfini.
Eco-activists partying along with Turlington Burns included Anne Hearst and former Miss Tanzania Millen Magese. They enjoyed performances by an African dance troupe and a photography auction featuring work from well-known artists.
Since it was founded in 1991, ARC has planted 10 million trees. Right now the organization is working with 146 villages to protect 250,000 acres of forests. Find out more here.
Photo by Liana Rasmussen courtesy of the African Rainforest Conservancy.