The Nature Conservancy’s Young Professionals Group Announces Fifth Annual Cocktail Benefit to be held in New York City South Sea Soirée will raise funds for marine conservation in the Asia Pacific.

The Nature Conservancy's Young Professionals Group announced today its fifth annual cocktail benefit, South Sea Soirée, to be held at the Prince George Ballroom in Manhattan on March 18, 2010.  Funds raised from this year’s event will support the Conservancy’s efforts to protect the Coral Triangle, an area of the Pacific Ocean rich in plant and animal diversity that harbors more than 75 percent of all known coral species.


WHAT: The Nature Conservancy’s Young Professionals Group will be holding its 2010 annual benefit. WHEN: Thursday, March 18, 2010; 7:30 p.m.  - 10:30 p.m. WHERE: Prince George Ballroom: 15 East 27^th Street (between 5^th Avenue and Madison Avenue) ATTIRE: Colorful Cocktail TICKETS: $70 members/ $90 non-members; Must be purchased in advance; $160 for membership + ticket RSVP: By March 4 to ypgevents@tnc.org or (212) 381-2183
BACKGROUND: For the fifth consecutive year, The Nature Conservancy’s Young Professionals Group will hold a cocktail benefit to raise support for the Conservancy’s vast conservation efforts.  Last year’s celebration highlighted restoration in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest by bringing together more than 400 young people to raise more than $82,000.


This year, the event will raise funds for the Conservancy’s work in the Coral Triangle, the epicenter of our planet’s marine diversity.  Nestled in the heart of the Asia Pacific, these coral reefs are nurseries, feeding grounds and home for nearly 40 percent of the world’s reef fish species, six out of the world’s seven species of sea turtles, and an incredible diversity of marine mammals.  The reefs also provide food, income and livelihood to more than 126 million people.
South Sea Soirée, sponsored by BlueMountain Capital Management LLC, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., Eastern Athletic Clubs and others will feature an open bar and live music by Ancient Tongue. Additionally, there will be a silent auction featuring items ranging from a week’s stay at a private residence in Maine, trips to Kenya and Costa Rica, haute couture, a private wine tour and tasting, to dinners at restaurants throughout New York City.


A special afterparty will take place at Marquee following the main event, with wristbands for VIP entry to be provided to all YPG members.
The first 100 new or existing YPG members who purchase tickets will also receive a gift bag made of hemp and stuffed with all eco-friendly and organic items, ranging from candy and bath products to organic cotton towels by PeopleTowels and BPA-free stainless steel water bottles, as well as a three month-long membership to Eastern Athletic Clubs. 

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The Nature Conservancy is a leading international, nonprofit organization that preserves plants, animals and natural communities representing the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. To date, the Conservancy and its more than one million members have been responsible for the protection of more than 15 million acres in the United States and have helped preserve more than 102 million acres in Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific. 
The Nature Conservancy’s Young Professionals Group brings together a cross-section of the city’s brightest 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.  Visit us on the web at www.nature.org/ypg.