New York City Young Professionals to Raise Funds for the Ecological Restoration of Long Island's Beaches and Bays

Sunset Cruise to Benefit Shellfish Program Across the Island

New York City, NY—June 6, 2006—A sunset summer cruise and party in New York harbor organized by The Nature Conservancy's Young Professional Council is scheduled to help raise funds and awareness for restoration of Long Island's critical bays and ecosystems in the Great South Bay and the Peconic Bays.

The Summer Benefit will be hosted aboard a private yacht that will set sail along the Hudson River on June 28th, 2006. The event will feature a brief presentation on the current state of the bays and the efforts the Conservancy is spearheading to bring back the compromised ecosystems.

"This is a chance to give something back to the places on Long Island that we sometimes overlook on our way to the Hamptons, Shelter Island or Fire Island for the weekend," said Eugenia Choi, the 26-year old violin soloist and Benefit Chair. The event is being co-chaired by Vanessa Bronfman, daughter of Chairman and CEO of Warner Music Group, Edgar Bronfman Jr.

The Nature Conservancy on Long Island is working to restore the shellfish, finfish, seagrass and seaweed population in both bays, which have endured significant declines over the past decades.

The evening will feature top shelf open bar, hors d'oeuvres, silent auction, and music by DJ Kai.

The Young Professionals Group brings together a cross-section of the city’s brightest working men and women who share a love of nature, a concern for the environment and a belief that hope and action are indispensable to make a difference. The group is comprised of architects, attorneys, musicians, bankers, painters, ad executives, writers, hedge fund managers, web designers, reporters and many others, all working to ensure that our peers and the next generation of New Yorkers learn and participate in conservation activities at a local, regional and global level.

For more information on the Young Professionals Group, please visit the YPG website, or contact Evelyn Chen at echen@tnc.org.