On Saturday, July 29th, the South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO), the only state-of-the-art natural history museum on the South Fork of Long Island, celebrated the spectacular nature conservation efforts of the museum’s last 34 years at their Annual Summer Gala Benefit (The Nurturing Power of Nature) at The South Fork Natural History Museum in Bridgehampton, NY. The festive evening raised funds that surpassed its goal for SOFO’s educational and environmental programs and initiatives.

This year the summer gala was co-hosted by actor, director, screenwriter, narrator and producer Liev Schreiber and SOFO Founder Andy Sabin. The evening’s host committee included Sissi Bohlen, Carole Crist, Anke & Jürgen Friedrich, Kimberly Goff, Julia Haart, Chef Alex Guarnaschelli, Kim & Greg Lippmann, Susan & David Rockefeller, Ada Samuelsson, and Sammi & Scott Seltzer.

 Yvon Chouinard was honored for his extraordinary environmental efforts including the move to transfer ownership of Patagonia to two new entities: Patagonia Purpose Trust and the Holdfast Collective with every dollar that is not reinvested into Patagonia being used to protect the planet. Other individuals honored that night included Dan & Rae Emmett, nature enthusiasts who led Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Green Building Initiative and established one of the leading  environmental law programs in the country; and Basil Seggos, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Co-Chair of the State’s Climate Action Council, who oversees programs that promote a clean, healthy, and accessible environment, including protecting and restoring New York’s air, lands and waters; combatting climate change; and enforcing State environmental laws and regulations. Annette Sabin, the Matriarch of the Sabin Family, received the Posthumous Animal Advocate Extraordinaire Award for her love of nature and wildlife, which was a constant inspiration to her son Andy Sabin, who co-founded the South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO) with other naturalists in 1988.  As part of the award, SOFO’s Butterfly Garden was renamed the Annette Sabin Pollinator Garden.

The event was attended by over 450 guests, who helped make the evening so successful raising significant funds for SOFO programs, initiatives, and environmental projects. A special ask was made to support programs geared for underserved families. During the VIP cocktail reception, guests were able to tour the museum and grounds, while admiring some magnificent birds of prey and enjoying a tasting menu created and donated by acclaimed chefs from Almond Restaurant & Bar, Peter Ambrose, Bamboo Restaurant and Sushi Bar, Bell & Anchor, The Beacon, Centro, East Hampton Grill, Hen of the Woods, Page at 63 Main, Saaz, 1760 Homestead Farm, Shellworks, andTapovana Lunch Box. Music was provided by Alfredo Merat.

During the live auction, guests had the opportunity to bid on once-in-a-lifetime experiences including a Natural Wonders Adventure in Iceland, Wine Experience in Napa Valley; Formula 1 Race Day Experience; a Scotland Championship Golf Experience, this included a four-night stay for two at Fairmont St. Andrews Resort, two rounds of golf for two on St. Andrews Links Castle Course and Carnoustie Golf Links Championship Course (the host of The Open) and a daily full English breakfast for two, and an America’s Cup Yacht Sailing Adventure aboard the famous America’s Cup Challenger.

Written by Nicole Vawter

Photos by Rob Rich