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The Nature Conservancy Announces 2009 Beaches and Bays Gala

TV Host Dick Cavett Honored for His Commitment to Montauk Preservation

East Hampton, NY — June 2, 2009 —The Nature Conservancy announced today that its ninth annual Beaches and Bays Gala will take place on Saturday, June 27, 2009, overlooking Mecox Bay in Bridgehampton, New York. 

The Beaches and Bays Gala begins with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres served waterside at 6:30pm. Guests will enjoy an open bar on the spacious and beautiful grounds before entering the main tent at 7:45 pm where dinner, catered by Glorious Food, will be served. The festivities will continue through the night with the terrific dance music of New York Minute Music & Entertainment. Juniors (ages 30 and under) will be admitted into the tent (reservations only) at 9:30 pm to dance and enjoy this popular band. From 11 pm to midnight, a junior after-party will take place in the waterside lounge where champagne and hors d'oeuvres will be served.

The Beaches and Bays Gala is an annual celebration that draws hundreds of supporters of The Nature Conservancy’s conservation work.

This year, TV host Dick Cavett is being honored for his commitment to conservation in preserving one of the most biologically diverse and spectacularly beautiful coastal properties on Long Island. Mr. Cavett sold his 76-acre property for less than market value to New York State, Suffolk County and East Hampton Town in 2008. Until then, the Cavett property was the last major piece of Montauk moorlands that was not under some form of conservation protection. The property, a prime example rare maritime shrubland, provides habitat for hawks, warblers, amphibians, and reptiles. With towering bluffs over the ocean and acres of freshwater wetlands, the area is one of the most environmentally sensitive on Long Island. 

“The Beaches and Bays Gala is a celebration of nature and the beauty of the East End,” said Nancy Kelley, executive director of The Nature Conservancy on Long Island. “What better way to celebrate our conservation victories than to get together on this very special night and enjoy all that we have worked so hard to protect and to raise funds for our future conservation efforts. We hope that those who are able to join us, will take part in the celebration.”

In addition to the festivities, a live auction will take place. Auction items include: “An Evening with Dick Cavett.” A lucky bidder will spend time listening to the stories and magic of Mr. Cavett at the winner's East End or NYC home; “Kayaking in Accabonac Harbor” with one of the Conservancy's most knowledgeable field and birding guides, followed by a delicious picnic lunch from the famed Springs Store; and the “Fund a Project” in which bidders can choose to support a local Nature Conservancy initiative on Long Island.

Funds raised from the gala will help support The Nature Conservancy’s “Campaign for a Sustainable Planet,” an initiative to double land protection efforts locally and across the globe.

The event is chaired by Leslie and Brian Brille and Mary Kathyrn and Alex Navab.

For more details, visit our website at www.nature.org/longisland and call (631) 329-3981 x11 for tickets. Note that last year’s event was sold out, so please purchase tickets early.

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. The Conservancy and its more than 1 million members have protected nearly 120 million acres worldwide. 

On Long Island, The Nature Conservancy has helped to preserve more than 150,000 acres. Visit us on the web at nature.org/longisland.