The Rainforest Alliance held its annual gala in New York at the American Museum of Natural History. Here's the scoop on the evening.

The Rainforest Alliance is becoming the next big, big thing. The non-profit which provides certification to businesses that treat labor with social responsibility and use sustainable environmental methods held its annual gala at the American Natural History Museum on the night of May 16th celebrating its twentieth year with star power. Mary Stewart Masterson, looking lovely in her short black dress, arrived early to cocktails with her two parents. Ted Turner, who received the Lifetime Achievement award at the gala for donating about $1.5 billion to causes focused on the environment and global health, also mingled happily with the crowd. The event which also featured an extensive silent auction that included at least twelve Gibson guitars raised over a million dollars. Many thanks to Jennifer Vogel and others who made the evening run smoothly.

During Ted’s acceptance speech, he used it as an opportunity to do some Bush ranting since companies that have the Rainforest Alliance certification is still a very small minority. He drew some applause from the audience, but also some noticeable grumbles from my table. But all resentments were soon forgotten once the band started playing, and people took the dance floor by storm.

Ms. Laura Turner, Ted Turner’s elegant daughter, told me that that night was her first time in her life to step foot in the Natural History Musuem, but that her dad first went when he was only ten years old. According to her, it was his favorite spot at that age. She then put a bid on a tour of the Musuem of Television and Radio at the silent auction and found out that it was going to be led by Pat Mitchell, a family friend. It’s a small, small world out there folks.

Ann Lee

5/21/07