It was a heat New York Metropolis night as our visitors arrived to affix us on Broadway for Wild Tomorrow Fund’s 2022 Annual Gala at The Edison Ballroom. The night was an evening to have fun the various conservation achievements Wild Tomorrow Fund made in 2022 – all because of our supporters around the globe!
As John and Wendy, co-founders of Wild Tomorrow Fund, talked about within the Gala program message, biodiversity around the globe is in disaster. The most recent Residing Planet Report revealed a staggering 69% decline in populations of untamed species since 1970. That’s greater than two out of each three wild animals on our planet gone. In simply fifty years.
However somewhat than despair we should take motion. And 230 individuals did precisely that on Friday evening, elevating a record-breaking $220,000 for Wild Tomorrow Fund and our mission to avoid wasting wildlife by defending and restoring their habitat.
We have been particularly proud this yr to lift a toast to Wild Tomorrow Fund’s Larger Ukuwela Nature Reserve, which is changing into increasingly ‘wild’ as its ecosystems are restored: we’ve seen the arrival of recent wild-born giraffe calves, many traversing leopards, crocodile hatchlings, vultures, and lots of of hen species. The subsequent step will see elephant, rhino, lion, cheetah arriving to discover Ukuwela’s flood plain, wetlands, and endangered sand forest after we open up one facet of our hall – a significant milestone we look ahead to hopefully celebrating subsequent yr!
A really particular second of the night was the presentation of the 2022 Umvikeli Protector Award to Dr. Anne Innis Dagg, the world’s first giraffologist, and a trailblazing feminist, who’s an inspiration for all budding zoologists, biologists, and conservationists – notably ladies in these fields. The award was introduced by Wild Tomorrow Fund’s co-founder Wendy Hapgood, who acknowledges the trail Anne has helped to forge ahead for all ladies in science.
“Thanks very a lot for presenting me with this glorious award,” mentioned Dr. Ann Dagg. “I’m very proud to be the primary lady to obtain the Umvikeli Award. All my life I’ve tried my finest to be a protector of giraffe by way of schooling, analysis, and advocacy. I’m right here with you at the moment, simply shy of my ninetieth birthday, to indicate that I’ll by no means surrender on my beloved giraffe.
I believe it’s improbable that the Wild Tomorrow Fund has a deal with habitat conservation so that every one creatures within the ecosystem have an opportunity to outlive and thrive. I wish to thank everybody for his or her contribution in merely attending this considerate occasion. I want to thank Wendy and John and their Board of Administrators who’re doing all of the work behind the scenes.
It has at all times been my dream to have a spot the place giraffe are protected to roam freely. Together with your assist, we are able to make that dream come true.”
Our visitors gave Dr. Anne Dagg a full standing ovation – congratulations Dr. Anne Innis Dagg!