ARC’S 17TH ANNUAL ARTISTS FOR AFRICA BENEFIT GALA

ARC works to conserve and restore African rainforests - among the oldest and most bio-diverse in the world - by empowering local men, women, and children, to preserve their natural heritage for all present and future generations.

THE AFRICAN RAINFOREST CONSERVANCY’S ARTISTS FOR AFRICA BENEFIT is a high-profile event that draws an A-List crowd each year from the worlds of art, fashion, and society.

DATE AND VENUE Monday, April 21st at The Bowery Hotel www.theboweryhotel.com to coincide with Earth Day, April 22nd. More information online: www.africanrainforest.org

FORMAT 250 Guests. Cocktail Reception, Dinner, Awards, Sotheby’s Auction and After Party

MESSAGE Protecting the ancient rainforests of Africa is an important step towards protecting the world's climate; a biodiversity hotspot and the water supply for millions of people.

NEW SPECIES AWARD HONOREE: top environmentalist, Gloria Flora (Eleventh Hour) will be honored with ARC’s 2008 New Species Award. Previous Recipients: George Plimpton, Peter Seligmann, Harrison Ford, James Gandolfini, Lewis H. Lapham, Professor Michael Oppenheimer

NOTABLE SUPPORTERS: include Peter Beard, Naomi Campbell, Matt Dillon, Harrison Ford, Eric Goode, Fisher Stevens, Anne Hearts, Lewis Lapham, Patrick McMullan, Nicole Miller, George Plimpton, Ringo Starr, Christy Turlington and Denzel Washington.

ARC BACKGROUND Since 1990, ARC has been at the vanguard of grassroots conservation in the Eastern Arc mountains of Tanzania –in which there are more endangered species than anywhere else in the world. Where ARC is working the forests are coming back and the villagers are better off. Our sustainable nature based programs ensure that the next generation will not have to choose between conserving and destroying their forests to survive. ARC is New York City based, 501(c)3 non profit, all donations are fully tax deductible.

WORLD LEADING PHOTOGRAPHERS INCLUDING Patrick DeMarchelier, Norman Jean Roy, David Bailey, Arthur Elgort, Steve McCurry, Lyle Owerko, Nigel Parry, Mirella Ricciardi, Spencer Tunick and Bruce Weber have generously donated stunning images of Africa year after year, raising over $1 million for grass roots community development and conservation.

SPONSORS include Vanity Fair (Green Issue), Ethos Water, Fresh, Devachan, Miraval Life In Balance, Nomad Tanzania and the Natural Gourmet Institute. Wholefoods are eliminating plastic bags in time for Earth Day and providing ‘Green Bags’ for benefit guests.

GUESTS will each receive ‘Green bags’ filled with earth friendly products in place of traditional ‘gift’ bags –in keeping with the ‘think global, act local’ theme of the night.

Supporting progressive companies is the critical link between protecting the world's climate and conserving our shared planet’s resources.
CONTACT:
Emily MacDonald at 212.431.5508 or emily@africarainforest.org

Photos from the 2007 Benefit

ARC 2007 Event - A Full house	Honoree Dr. Michael Oppenheimer
Guests	Photographer Joe Grant
Guests	Guests
Sotheby's Art Auction	Photographer Christian Witkin