The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Jane Goodall speaks at the Conservancy's anniversary gala in Washington. © Barbie Hull

"It would be useless to battle as these heroes have battled, as you have battled, if we don’t bring along the new generations of children." - Jane Goodall

The Nature Conservancy honored Harriet Bullitt and 18 other Conservation Heroes at its 50^th anniversary Born To Be Wild celebration, Wednesday, Oct. 27^th, in Seattle.

An evening that was all about honoring Conservation Heroes of the last 50 years also came with a message—we need to find the Heroes for the future.

Dr. Jane Goodall, the keynote speaker, told the crowd of more than 550 Nature Conservancy supporters, “It would be useless to battle as these heroes have battled, as you have battled, if we don’t bring along the new generations of children."

Her message was echoed by Karen Anderson, the Conservancy’s Washington director, in her closing remarks. “Tonight, the only thing I’m asking you is to bring us your children. Teach them about the steady work of conservation. We work at the pace that trees grow, but our work lasts forever.”

Photos & Video

Click here to watch Karen Anderson's speech.
Click here to view photos of Born to Be wild guests.
Click here for photos of entertainment & decor.

Conservation Heroes Honored

The celebration also featured electrifying performances by Tlingit storyteller Gene Tagaban and Gansango, a Seattle-based African music and dance troupe.

Roger Milliken, Jr., chairman of The Nature Conservancy’s worldwide board of directors, flew in from Maine for the celebration and presented scarves and carved wooden boxes to Heroes present at the event: Dr. Dee Boersma, Polly Dyer, Kathy Fletcher, Billy Frank Jr., Dr. Jerry Franklin, Russell Jim, Rick Leaumont, Gov. Dan Evans, Elliot Marks and William D. Ruckelshaus. And the Conservancy honored the memories of Ric Weiland, one of the five founding employees of Microsoft, and quintessential Seattle philanthropist Patsy Collins, for lasting legacies to The Nature Conservancy.

Harriet Bullitt was honored with an Owl drum, created by Makah artist Micah McCarty, and a dance presentation by Gene Tagaban.

“Harriet Bullitt knocks holes in the walls that separate us,” said Eliot Scull, a member of the Conservancy’s Washington board, in announcing the award. “She has a zeal and a passion for community, nature and the arts, and has brought them all together to benefit our natural world.”