Annual "Hoochie on the Coochie" Dinner Dance Rings in Earth Day, Raises Funds for Conservation in Georgia

The Nature Conservancy in Georgia Celebrates 12th Annual Hoochie on the Coochie

Atlanta—April 25, 2006—Held on the eve of Earth Day, The Nature Conservancy’s 12th annual spring fundraising event, the Hoochie on the Coochie dinner dance, celebrated recent conservation successes in Georgia while raising funds for conservation work throughout the state. With the support of volunteer organizers, The Nature Conservancy raised $213,000 for conservation work, exceeding its goal by $33,000.

"The annual Hoochie on the Coochie dinner dance is a festive opportunity to celebrate Earth Day and marks the beginning of spring and a season of vital conservation work," said Tavia McCuean, director of The Nature Conservancy in Georgia. "Thanks to the leadership of our event chairs, combined with the support of our corporate sponsors and members, make it possible for The Nature Conservancy to raise much needed funds for conservation work."

Chairing this year’s Hoochie on the Coochie dinner dance were John and Susie Sherrill and July and Martin Freeland. Tricia and Inman Allen, who hosted the dinner dance at their Atlanta home, were the honorary chairs.

The long-standing Atlanta tradition became known across the country when it was referenced as a question in the popular Trivial Pursuit game. This year’s Hoochie on the Coochie dinner dance featured a live auction, with offerings of a variety of nature-based trips available to the highest bidder. Included in the auction were visits to two of The Nature Conservancy’s flagship preserves, Bear Mountain Lodge in New Mexico and Pine Butte Guest Ranch in Montana.

Corporate sponsors and other supporters of the Hoochie on the Coochie dinner dance included Cox Enterprises, Coca-Cola Company, Georgia Power Company, Georgia-Pacific, Atlanta Journal-Constitution and REM.

Sponsors of the event who made a contribution of $1,000 or more to The Nature Conservancy were invited to the Hoochie on the Coochie Patron Party held in the weeks prior to the dinner dance. Susan and Ron Antinori, Patron Committee chairs, hosted the Patron Party at their home, which was recently featured in the book 100 More of the World’s Best Homes.

For more information about events and volunteer opportunities with The Nature Conservancy in Georgia, please visit nature.org/georgia or call (404) 873-6946.

About The Nature Conservancy in Georgia
As one of the leading land and water conservation organizations in the world, The Nature Conservancy is uniquely defined by its ability to protect and manage land at a global and local level. To date, The Nature Conservancy has protected more than 117 million acres in 28 countries.

Throughout its 37 year history of on-the-ground conservation work in Georgia, The Nature Conservancy has helped to protect more than 241,000 acres of longleaf pine forests, barrier islands, floodplain swamps, rock outcrops and other threatened natural areas throughout Georgia. In addition to purchasing land, The Nature Conservancy currently manages 17 preserves and assists with the management of more than 21,000 acres of land.

About The Nature Conservancy's Bear Mountain Lodge
Located in the heart of southwestern New Mexico, this bed and breakfast offers eleven richly furnished rooms, private baths, balcony views, handcrafted furniture and delicious meals. Guests can spend their days hiking, biking, birding among more than 300 kinds of birds or taking a tour of The Nature Conservancy's nearby Gila and Mimbres river nature preserves.

About The Nature Conservancy's Pine Butte Guest Ranch
Nestled among the peaks of Montana's rugged East Front, The Nature Conservancy's Pine Butte Guest Ranch offers a unique opportunity to study natural history as well as ride, hike, swim, and relax in one of the country's most spectacular western landscapes. All proceeds from the guest ranch are used to support the work of The Nature Conservancy of Montana.