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Each year the ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ hosts a Gala evening to celebrate leaders of environmental conservation. Last year’s Annual ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Gala took place on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at the Plaza in New York City. 

At the event, ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ awarded two of the nation’s most prestigious environmental honors: the ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Medal and the Dan W. Lufkin Prize for Environmental Leadership. Jack and Laura Dangermond, founders of Esri, were awarded the prestigious ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ 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.

During the 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 , a community art project that helps support and bring awareness to ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ’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.  

This year's event, which will take place on January 21, 2016 at Cipriani in New York City, promises to be even more fabulous than last year's.

The 2015 Gala Gallery: