The Nature Conservancy's Young Professionals Group: Past Events

January 16, 2007
Back from Antarctica: Dinner with Ken Mankoff
Thirty-six Young Professionals and their guests gathered for a three course dinner at Zen Palate to hear about fellow YP Ken Mankoff’s two month trip to Antarctica with ANDRILL in the fall of 2007 to study the climate history of the region through the recovery of a 1000m sediment core from below the ice and ocean.  The YPs learned about everyday life at McMurdo Station, with approximately 1,000 inhabitants, two bars, bowling alley, and hammock-equipped greenhouse.

November 27, 2007
Year-end Holiday Event
Tom Rosenberg, Trustee Advisor to the YPG, hosted a year-end cocktail party for New York State Trustees of the Conservancy and leaders from among the YPs.  Although the weather was a little chilly, numerous YPs braved the cold to venture onto the balcony to enjoy a breathtaking view of the holidays lights of Rockefeller Center and the surrounding area.  Tom praised the YPs for their efforts and success in raising over $90,000 for conservation in the last year, and also highlighted the individual YP donors of the Young Professionals Challenge Grant, which has provided $50,000 of funding over the last year to conservation across New York State. 

October 24, 2007
Cocktail Party and "Function Show" with lululemon athletica
Co-hosted with eco-friendly clothing retailer lululemon athletica, the evening featured complimentary wine and hors d'oeuvres and a "function" show with special guest models from among the YPG.  All attendees of the event received free raffle tickets for prizes ranging from a goal-coaching session and private yoga class to a one-month pass to David Barton Gym and classes at Physique 57.

To see photos from this event, please click here. 

October 20, 2007
YP Hike at Sam's Point
More than 30 YPs joined us for our last hike of 2007 at Sam’s Point Preserve in the Shawangunks.  A moderate 6 mile hike took the group through globally rare dwarf pine barrens and spectacular fall foliage to Verkeerderkill Falls, where the group enjoyed lunch along the cliff while admiring dramatic views of the Catskills and the Shawangunk Ridge stretching for miles.  Preserve Director Heidi Wagner provided a special overview of the preserve's ecology, as well as information about the preserve’s award-winning green Conservation Center.

To see photos from this event, please click here. 

October 18, 2007
YP Fall Cocktail Event
Two dozen Young Professionals gathered for a private cocktail party at Butterfield 8 to meet the YP Board and other YP members, and learned how to help The Nature Conservancy to protect the last great places on Earth.

To see photos from this event, please click here. 

October 13-14, 2007
Mashomack Trip
Approximately 30 Young Professionals traveled to Mashomack Preserve on Shelter Island to experience first-hand the work being done to preserve and maintain this freshwater wetland, which provides undisturbed nesting habitat for birds and turtles as well as a refuge for rare beach plants.  In addition to a truck tour led by Preserve Director Mike Laspia with an in-depth look the oak forest study being conducted across the preserve, the YPs helped preserve this pristine landscape by conducting a beach cleanup along the shore.  The YPs woke up early on Sunday to go on a birdwalk led by YP David Nicola before heading back into the city.

To view photos from this trip, please click here. 

September 22, 2007
Neversink Trip
A small group of approximately 10 Young Professionals spent the day with Conservancy scientist George Schuler at Neversink Preserve, taking advantage of the beautiful fall day to participate in water demonstrations (including eel and fish shocking), snorkeling for dwarf wedgemussels, learning how to flyfish, hiking on trails through the preserve, and a BBQ.  This special trip was designed for YP members who had made leadership gifts to the YP Challenge Grant, to share with them the kind of on-the-ground research and conservation supported by the Challenge.

To view photos from this trip, please click here. 

September 15, 2007
YP Hike at Bear Mountain
Eighteen Young Professionals met at Bear Mountain to ascend a 4.5 mile hike to the 800 ft. high summit, enjoying a picnic lunch over spectacular views of the Hudson River all the way to Manhattan.  An easier descent along the Appalachian Trail helped them return just in time for Oktoberfest celebrations at the Bear Mountain lodge.

To view photos from this hike, please click here. 

September 5, 2007
A Conversation with Alan Weisman
The Young Professionals attended a public Conservancy event with Alan Weisman, one of the most esteemed science writers of our time, to discuss his latest book, The World Without Us. Weisman discussed his experiences writing the book as well as his thoughts on the current environmental atmosphere.  A book sale and signing followed, with YPs reconvening at a nearby bar for post-event drinks and mingling. 

August 30, 2007
YP Guest Bartending Event: Cool Down with the YPG!
The bar was packed for the Young Professionals first Guest Bartending Event at Stone Creek, as over 75 YPs came in out of the summer heat to enjoy an ice cold drink and learn about how The Nature Conservancy is protecting the last great places on Earth.  Special guest bartenders included Mark Crofton, Jennifer Diedzic and James Riviezzo, and a portion of the evening’s bar and tips were donated to the YPG.

To view photos from this event, please click here. 

July 28, 2007
YP Hike at Cold Spring
A dozen Young Professionals rode Metro North for a hike led by Mark Crofton along the Bull Hill/Mt. Taurus trail, an intermediate, 3.8 mile hike up a steep slope to offer fantastic views over the Hudson to Storm King, Breakneck Ridge, the Shawangunks, and the Catskills in the far distance.  Mark provided an overview of the areas that the group hiked through, and the group enjoyed a cold drink at a café by the train station following the hike before returning to Manhattan.

To view photos from this hike, please click here.

July 25, 2007
The Village Pourhouse Goes Green with the YPG!
The Village Pourhouse hosted a special cocktail event for the Young Professionals in honor of the bar’s initiatives to go green!  Over 75 people gathered to learn how this local business is becoming more sustainable by using recycled materials, reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions, and offering a selection of organic beers and wines.  The evening of environmental awareness featured speakers, organic beers, organic food, and product giveaways, with a portion of the evening’s proceeds donated to the YPG.

June 14, 2007
Smirnoff Source party with Anna Kournikova
Anna Kournikova hosted a party at ULTRA bar to celebrate the launch of Smirnoff’s new malt beverage, Smirnoff Source.  In addition to generous support from Smirnoff, all donations taken at the door went directly to The Nature Conservancy’s freshwater conservation work.  Anna posed for pictures and mingled with guests and encouraged everyone to donate generously, while Conservancy scientist George Schuler helped the evening’s guests understand the importance of protecting our freshwater resources in New York.

To view photos from this event, please click here. 

June 9, 2007
Young Professionals and High School Interns’ Hike at Sam’s Point
Over a dozen Young Professionals and former participants of the Conservancy’s High School Internship Program met in Manhattan to take a bus up to Sam’s Point Preserve in the Shawangunks.  Led by the Preserve’s Director, Heidi Wagner, the group learned about the globally rare dwarf pitch pine, and recent efforts to reintroduce fire into the ecosystem.

To view photos from this hike, please click here. 

May 19-20, 2007
Mashomack Trip
Twenty Young Professionals participated in our semi-annual trip to Mashomack Preserve on Shelter Island, learning about the preserve’s role in shellfish restoration and participating in a seining demonstration to see what life lies just beyond the shores. 

April 21, 2007
YP Spring Birdwalk and Brunch
Ten Young Professionals met at Prospect Park for an in-depth birdwalk with special guest birder Tom Stephenson, who helped the group of both new and experienced birdwatchers to identify a host of migrating spring birds, ranging from red-winged blackbirds to the very uncommon sora rail.  Afterwards the group went out for brunch at a nearby café in Brooklyn. 

March 29, 2007
Make a Splash: Winter Benefit 2007
On March 29th, 2007, The Nature Conservancy's Young Professionals Group held their annual winter benefit at the popular nightclub Cain, in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood.  Over 300 people came together to raise money for the Conservancy's freshwater restoration efforts in the Delaware River Basin; by the end of the night, the Young Professionals succeeded in raising over $32,000.  The evening also featured a live auction by Christies, as well as a silent auction throughout the evening, with items ranging from organic clothing and fine dining to carbon-neutral plane tickets to London and commissioned artwork.

You can view photos from the event here.

Event Sponsors:  BlueMountain Capital Management LP, CAIN, Zen Palate, Christie's and Stephanie Landess, Trader Monthly and Doubledown Media, Simon & Schuster and Deirdre Imus, DJ Kane Juan, AudioCubes, Aveda, Azalea Online, Big Apple Circus, Birdbath, Neighborhood Green Bakery, Blooming Lotus, Blue Hill at Stone Barns, CAMAJE, Carla's Closets, Cashmere Oyster, CharmaineLouise, Cal Crary, Dakota Martin, Endangered Species Chocolate Company, Exhale, GreenBrownOrange, the healing garden, Hyden Yoo, Molly Jackson, HER Design, Jin Jin Huang, J.FOLD, Suzy Kim, the New York Knicks, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Living Harvest, Liz Lovely, loyale, Lucid Food, Mad Imports, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Mashomack Preserve (The Nature Conservancy), method, the New York Mets, MGM Studios, the New York Titans, NYC Wine Class, Ohio Knitting Mills, Opalia Flowers, Origins, Brutus Ostling, Jean-Georges' Perry Street, The Point NYC, Practice Yoga, P.S. 122, Salmon Cove, SerendipiTea, Shecky's, Silverjet, Slate New York, Stewart+Brown, Tabla Bread Bar, TASMANIAN RAIN, Tiffany & Co., Tina Tang, Topaz Hotel, UncommonGoods, Urban Angler, US Helicopter, Vault, Voltaic Systems, Joyce Wu, Zarela. 

November 30, 2006
Year End Celebration Hosted by the New York State Board of Trustees
Approximately 45 Young Professionals attended a year-end reception hosted by the Conservancy’s New York State Board of Trustees to honor the YPG’s accomplishments in the past year.  While enjoying views of the newly lit Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, YPs mingled with Trustees to learn more about their involvement with The Nature Conservancy and to share their own stories.  Tom Rosenberg, Trustee Advisor to the YPG, praised the Young Professionals for their innovation and commitment, and highlighted some of their accomplishments in the last year.  Individuals who had made leadership contributions to the Young Professionals Challenge Grant were also recognized for their contributions.

October 7, 2006
YP Fall Birdwalk and Brunch
Our first YP Birdwalk was led by fellow YP David Nicola in Central Park.  Sightings included flycatchers and yellow-bellied sapsuckers, with the group retiring to a nearby café after the walk to enjoy brunch and to get to know one another. 

September 30, 2006
September Beach Clean-Up Day
Sixteen Young Professionals spent a beautiful Saturday morning on Fire Island in conjunction with the National Parks Service Beach Clean-Up Day.  The YPs collected over 30 bags of trash to help maintain the pristine shores of the island.  Chris Clapp, Estuary Specialist for the Long Island Nature Conservancy, joined the group to take them out by boat for a tour of the Great South Bay where The Nature Conservancy is currently engaged in shellfish restoration.

Fall 2006
Mashomack Weekend: Fall 2006 
Eleven Young Professionals attended this weekend trip to one of The Nature Conservancy's local preserves, Mashomack, on Shelter Island. Led by the preserve's Director, Mike Laspia, the YPs explored Mashomack's 2000 acres of coastal oak forest, tidal wetlands, freshwater marshes and coastline.  The YPs learned about shellfish restoration efforts across Long Island and helped dig up mature clams ready to be "transplanted" into spawner sanctuaries throughout Conservancy property in the Great South Bay.  After the requisite lobster dinner, the YPs went seining, an activity that involves a large net, a fair amount of water and dirt, and lots of fascinating sea creatures.

June 28, 2006
Spring Benefit
On June 28th, 2006, The Nature Conservancy's Young Professionals Group held a summer benefit aboard the Royal Princess Yacht.  As the boat sailed around Manhattan, over 120 people came together to raise money for the Conservancy's shellfish restoration efforts in the Peconics and Great South Bay; by the end of the night, the Young Professionals raised over $12,000.  The evening also featured a silent auction with items ranging from golf outings and getaways in the Hamptons to a recording studio session and a strat guitar signed by Grammy-winners Los Lonely Boys.

Event Chairs: Eugenia Choi & Vanessa Bronfman.

Event Sponsors: Edgar Bronfman Jr. and Clarissa A. Bronfman, DJ Kai, Fjord Catering & Charters, American Laser Centers, Aveda West Broadway, James Blunt and Atlantic Records, Broadway Dance Center, CAMAJE, Equinox Fitness Clubs and Speedball Fitness, The David Findlay Galleries, Gordon’s Restaurant, Gotham Dream Cars, Habana Eco-Eateries, Henri Scars Struck, HER Design, Hull Capital Management, Institute of Culinary Education, J.Crew, Lao Textiles and Carol Cassidy, Late Night With Conan O’Brien, Los Lonely Boys and Sony Music, Manhattan Sailing School, Martha Clara Vineyards, The Mill House Inn, Monsieur Touton Selections, Patagonia, Physique 57, Picador USA, Stirrings, The Stephen Talkhouse, Trader Monthly and Gevril, Urban Angler, Vineyard Vines, George H. Weiler III, Yoga Works, Hyden Yoo.

Spring 2006
Mashomack Weekend: Spring 2006 
Sixteen Young Professionals attended this weekend trip to one of The Nature Conservancy's local preserves, Mashomack, on Shelter Island. Led by the preserve's Director, Mike Laspia, the YPs explored Mashomack's coastal oak forest and learned about some of the threats to the native species of this habitat as well as ways in which the Conservancy is working to maintain the natural character of the land for generations to come. A sumptuous dinner of mussels, steak and lobster was enjoyed by the YPs on Saturday prior to a unique excursion at dusk, when the YPs helped drag in nets along the shore to help Conservancy staff sample life along the waters. Their seining efforts brought in a sand shark, 20 lb. bass, and numerous skates, rays and crabs, which the YPs helped to throw back into the waters unharmed following explanations of marine biology by Mike and Joe Zipparo, the Mashomack's Preserve Steward.

April 28, 2006
Mexico Magnifico Dinner 
Approximately 55 Young Professionals came together at this dinner to celebrate the beauty and diversity of Mexico. The event was co-hosted by Zarela Martinez, owner of Zarela restaurant and passionate advocate of Mexican culture. We were also joined by Henry Tepper, New York State Director of the Conservancy, who shared with us details of the conservation work being done in in this incredibly diverse country. Guests enjoyed a three-course dinner and drinks at this celebrated restaurant, as well as a raffle that featured two round-trip tickets to Mexico City, courtesy of Aeromexico.

Event sponsors: Franck Emmanuel Bastien, Centrico, Eli's Vinegar Factory, Novamex, Paladar, Patricia Quintan, and Zocalo.

February 8, 2006
First Benefit
On February 8th, 2006, The Nature Conservancy held the Young Professionals Council’s First Benefit at Hirschl & Adler Galleries. The event was completely sold out, with approximately 130 people in attendance and over $12,000 raised for conservation in the Adirondacks. The evening featured a silent auction that featured items as varied as house seats to SpamALot and weekend getaways to flyfishing lessons and services from local, eco-friendly companies.

Event Sponsors: BlueMountain Capital Management; Hirschl & Adler Galleries; Barefoot Wine, Beautien Vineyard, Ciroc, Sei Water, Tanqueray; DJ Kai, Top Gear DJ; Bhambi's, CocoaVino, Henry Wong Doe, Gold's Gym, The Healing Garden, Kid Robot, Stephen Lee, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Organic Bouquet, OZOcar, Patagonia, Performance Space 122, Practice Yoga, Scratch DJ Academy, SlateNYC, UncommonGoods, ZENHome Cleaning; Endangered Species Chocolate Company, Origins.