Wildlife Trust's International Conservation Awards Gala

Honoring Virginia Busch of the Sea World & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund

NEW YORK - October 1, 2006 - Wildlife Trust is pleased to announce its Annual International Conservation Awards Gala and Auction to be held November 9, 2006 in New York City. The Wildlife Trust Conservation Award, the organization's highest honor, will be presented to Virginia Busch, President of the Sea World & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund for The Anheuser-Busch Companies, for her dedication to protecting the environment. The gala will begin at 6:00 p.m. and will be co-chaired by Virginia Mars and Lynn Sherr of ABC TV's 20/20. The event will be held at The Lighthouse, Chelsea Piers in New York City.

The Gala will begin with a V.I.P. cocktail reception and silent auction followed by the awards dinner and the "Around the World with Wildlife Trust" luxury live auction featuring trips and experiences focused on Wildlife Trust's conservation programs.

The Wildlife Trust Conservation Scientist Award will be given to Professor Damayanti Buchori of PEKA Indonesia for her work with insect studies and conservation in Indonesia. A special recognition award will be presented to Martin S. Kaplan, Esq. and the law firm Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP for their outstanding record of pro bono work for Wildlife Trust.

Mary C. Pearl, president of Wildlife Trust, will present the awards and Lynn Sherr will be the event emcee. "We are pleased to have such a distinguished group of honorees," Dr. Pearl said. "In a very short time, Virginia Busch has translated her vision for wildlife conservation into an effective set of partnerships for species survival, and Wildlife Trust is delighted to be a partner with the Busch Conservation Fund. Martin Kaplan and his colleagues at the law firm Wilmer Hale are truly public spirited individuals who have provided key assistance that has permitted Wildlife Trust to grow in stature and size. Lastly, Dr. Buchori, a member of the Wildlife Trust Alliance, is a beacon of courage and determination as she has worked ceaselessly over the past two years to combat obstacles, including a major tsunami and earthquake, in her quest to protect Indonesia's nature." All proceeds from the annual Gala will continue to support Wildlife Trust's work on behalf of endangered species around the world and its pioneering work in Conservation Medicine.

Wildlife Trust is recognized as a worldwide authority in conservation and the environment, having been responsible for many scientific breakthroughs, including discovering the origin of the SARS virus.?? The organization has received prestigious Whitley awards ??? often called the "Green Oscars" ??? for the groundbreaking work by its scientific teams. Wildlife Trust was named "Best Wildlife Charity" by Reader's Digest in 2005 and has received the highest rating from Charity Navigator, an independent charity evaluator.

Tickets are available at $350, $500, $1,000 & $2,500.

Tables are available at $3,500, $5,000, $10,000 & $25,000.

Reservations are now being accepted and can be made by contacting Scott Perrin at (212) 957-9155, or sperrin@the-event-office.com.