New York Gala
On April 25, 2024, Conservation International honored Lauren Sánchez and Jeff Bezos with our Global Visionary Award for their work with the Bezos Earth Fund. Their historic contributions to Conservation International’s work in the Tropical Andes have helped establish 3.5 million hectares of new conservation areas and strengthened the management of more than 12 million hectares (in total, an area around the size of Georgia) — all through partnerships with Indigenous Peoples, local communities and governments.
Conservation International Chief Executive Officer Dr. M. Sanjayan presents Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez, chair and vice chair of the Bezos Earth Fund, with Conservation International’s Global Visionary Award.
The first in-person gala since the pandemic provided an opportunity for Conservation International to engage leaders from the top echelons of business, media and philanthropy — people with the capacity to help us elevate our work to the scale demanded by the challenges we face. Check out the coverage of the evening in Vogue and explore the videos below to relive the evening.
Conservation International Vice Chair Harrison Ford joined Bezos and Sánchez for a moving conversation on the power of nature and innovation.
Conservation International Board members Peter Seligmann, Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim and Shailene Woodley also made resounding calls to action to support Conservation International as we work around the globe to protect nature.
Conservation International Board member, Shailene Woodley describes our work.
The gala also featured the premiere of Conservation International’s new overview video, which highlights the profound interconnectedness of nature and humanity.
Narrated by Idris Elba. Conservation International was founded on a simple principle: Humans and nature are connected in profound ways. We work alongside communities in more than 100 countries, putting science into practice, and protecting the irreplaceable. Since 1987, we’ve been in the business of bold ideas — ideas that other people might write off as impractical or unproven, maybe a little unusual. But our goal was always to redefine conservation… to change how it’s done… and for whom. With that mentality, Conservation International and our partners have protected 1.5 billion acres of land and sea over 35 years… benefitting millions of people. And in this decisive decade, we have big goals: First, use the miracle of photosynthesis to slow climate change. By conserving one-of-a-kind places like the Amazon Rainforest and Congo Basin, we can store away billions of tons of planet-warming carbon. Second, double the area of ocean under protection — to secure food, jobs, and marine life for generations to come. And third, develop new economic models that replenish our natural wealth, instead of looting it. Industry-by-industry, we’re transforming how humans produce and prosper — starting with farming, fishing, and fashion. There’s no precedent for what we’re trying to do. But we’re not doing it alone. We work with thousands of partners around the world to heal our planet and protect our future.
All of Conservation International’s work is made possible by “flexible” gifts that enable our teams around the world to rapidly direct our efforts where they are needed most. To heal our planet and protect our future, we need your help. Please consider making a gift today to ensure a sustainable future for all life on Earth.