Inside The "Where The Wild Things" Gala For Group For The East End

On Saturday, June 27, 2015 over 250 guests came out to support the Group for the East End’s Where the Wild Things... benefit at the breathtaking Wölffer Estate Vineyard in Sagaponack, NY. The Group, joined by co-chairs Katherine & Marco Birch, Kristen & Clark Briner, Carolyn & Greg Hoogkamp, Genevieve & Robert Lynch, Deni & Bill McChesney and Kim White & Kurt Wolfgruber, raised $500,000 to help protect endangered wildlife on the East End.

Guests enjoyed delicious locally inspired fare prepared by award-winning chef Noah Schwartz of Noah’s and delectable wines from Wölffer, created by winemaker and partner, Roman Roth. At the helm of the live auction, was auctioneer Mariana Gantus, who dazzled the audience with seven priceless East End experiences. Following the exciting live auction, guests danced the night away to tunes by powerhouse DJ Mad Marj.

Funds raised from the event will help generate awareness and protect the region’s vanishing wildlife. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) released a report in December stating there are 185 species that will be locally extinct in ten years unless urgent action is taken. Most – including box turtles, short-eared owls, bay scallops and hard clams – are on the East End.

“We have a choice – protect the nature of this very special place or allow it to be ruined. We are learning from the declining wildlife species that we need to be better stewards of the land, the water – the entire East End,” stated Katherine Birch, Benefit Co-Chair.

For more than 43 years, Group for the East End has served as eastern Long Island’s full-time professional advocate for conservation. The Group is widely recognized and respected for its work to protect the East End environment by advancing realistic solutions to complex environmental problems, mobilizing informed citizens, educating future leaders, and challenging irresponsible development that impacts our quality of life and community character. For more information on Group for the East End, please visit: groupfortheeastend.org

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