Actor Josh Duhamel to receive 2017 Wildlife Champion Award
WildAid, the global nonprofit organization leading the fight to end the illegal wildlife trade, announced its annual fundraising gala, “An Evening with WildAid,” will take place November 11 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills. WildAid is the only group to focus exclusively on reducing demand for illegal wildlife products through public awareness campaigns. With the simple message “When the Buying Stops, the Killing Can Too,” WildAid works with government, business and media partners as well as celebrities and high profile individuals to advocate consumer change.
With sponsors including the TOMS Animal Initiative, Guthy Renker and EFJ Philanthropies, “An Evening with WildAid” will bring out Hollywood’s A-List, including film star Josh Duhamel who will be on hand to receive the 2017 Wildlife Champion Award. Duhamel has been an advocate for WildAid, filming several PSAs for the organization and using his celebrity status on social media to engage new audiences and to spread awareness of the illegal wildlife trade and its detrimental effects on endangered species worldwide.
Confirmed celebrity guests include: Josh Duhamel, Bo Derek, John Corbett, Maggie Q, Dylan McDermott, Johnathan Tucker, Taylor Kitsch, Eva La Rue, David Foster, Russell James and many more.
The “Evening with WildAid” gala will feature a cocktail and hors d’oeuvres reception with silent auction and cultural performances. Guests will enjoy a three-course dinner by James Beard award-winning chef Tracey Des Jardins, owner of San Francisco’s famed Jardinière, and Mary Sue Milliken, co-chef/owner of the popular, critically acclaimed Border Grill restaurants.
A highlight of the Gala is WildAid CEO Peter Knights’ introduction of the organization’s new programs to protect endangered species and marine habitats, including recent work by WildAid’s portfolio of celebrity ambassadors including Josh Duhamel, Lupita Nyong’o, Yao Ming, Jackie Chan, HRH Prince William, Leonardo DiCaprio, Maggie Q, the cast of The Walking Dead and many others.
WildAid produces impactful, compelling public service announcements that are Hollywood quality for a fraction of the cost, and distributes them to millions of viewers a week through extensive pro bono and earned media placement. In recent years, shark fin imports to China have gone down by 80%, ivory and rhino horn prices have plummeted by more than 50% in China and Vietnam, and China has agreed to close its ivory market by the end of 2017.
About TOMS Animal Initiative
The TOMS Animal Initiative (TOMS) and WildAid joined forces early this year to launch a limited-edition footwear collection that supported WildAid’s conservation programs dedicated to the giant panda. Created by Heather Mycoskie, the TOMS Animal Initiative partners with nonprofit animal conservation organizations to raise awareness and support for global animal protection.
About WildAid
Buying Stops, the Killing Can Too. For more information, visit WildAid.org and follow us @WildAid.
WildAid is a non-profit organization with a mission to end the illegal wildlife trade in our lifetimes. While most wildlife conservation groups focus on protecting animals from poaching, WildAid primarily works to reduce global consumption of wildlife products such as shark fin and elephant ivory by persuading consumers and providing comprehensive marine enforcement. Recent WildAid campaigns such as the #JoinTheHerd initiative have brought together millions of people to speak out about the poaching crisis affecting African elephants. With an unrivaled portfolio of celebrity ambassadors – including Prince William and Yao Ming – and global network of media partners, WildAid leverages $289 million in annual pro bono media support with a simple message: When the
For photographs, video footage or to interview a WildAid expert, please contact Brendi Rawlin [email protected] +1 619 549 3066.
