NEW YORK - September 2006 - Wildlife Trust, an international non-profit organization dedicated to innovative environmental research and a pioneer in the field of conservation medicine, is honoring two Hudson Valley corporate leaders, Carl E. Meyer and Barry Rothfeld, for their continued work in protecting the environment. The evening gala will be held on October 22nd beginning at 4:00 p.m. and will be co-chaired by actor Paul Sorvino, whose filmography includes nearly 50 movies in the past decade.

The special evening will feature fine food, wine, and dancing to the sounds of "Saints of Swing" at the elegant Belvedere Mansion in Staatsburg, New York. The night's festivities will also include live and silent auctions featuring luxury designer goods, rare vintage wines, and the opportunity to bid on one-of-a-kind exclusive experiences.

"As a sponsor of the event, all of us here at Saint Francis Health Care Foundation are extremely excited to honor two dynamic individuals and companies working to improve the health of the Hudson River Valley," said Robert Lane, President of Saint Francis Health Care Foundation and Co-chair of the event "The evening will also be a lot of fun, so I urge all those who plan to attend to wear their dancing shoes!"

Honoree Barry Rothfeld is the President and Publisher of The Poughkeepsie Journal - New York's oldest newspaper. A veteran reporter and editor, Rothfeld has served as the Publisher of The Ithaca Journal, editor of the Press & Sun-Bulletin in Binghamton, NY and began his career as a journalist at The Journal News.

Honoree Carl E. Meyer is President and Chief Operating Officer of Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation. A regulated electric and natural gas utility, Central Hudson serves approximately 625,000 customers in eight counties in New York State's Mid-Hudson Valley. Meyer's community involvement includes service on the Board of Directors for such organizations as Families First New York, Inc., Mid-Hudson Pattern for Progress, Inc., and the Winnakee Land Trust.

"It's an honor to be selected as a recipient of this recognition from Wildlife Trust. Central Hudson has been steadfastly committed to environmental stewardship for more than a century, and we certainly applaud the work that Wildlife Trust accomplishes to ensure that our natural resources are protected on behalf of future generations," Meyer said. "We're also grateful to the sponsors and attendees who will ensure the night's success by their generous support."

The proceeds from the event will support Wildlife Trust's New York Bioscape Initiative, a collaborative effort to conserve biodiversity and help safeguard wildlife and human health and the region's long-term ecological sustainability. This work will enable Wildlife Trust to offer management and policy suggestions to ensure that the Hudson River Valley remains a natural wonder for many years to come.

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.

The awards dinner is also being generously supported by HRH Jaime Eduardo de Borbon, Alessia Alessandra de Borbon, The Dyson Foundation, Robert Gutenstein, Timmian Massie, Charles S. North, Saint Francis Health Care Foundation and Cynthia Stebbins.

About Wildlife Trust

Wildlife Trust empowers local conservation scientists worldwide to protect nature and safeguard ecosystem and human health. Wildlife Trust is a conservation science innovator and leverages research expertise through strategic global alliances. Wildlife Trust pioneered the field of Conservation Medicine, a new discipline that addresses the link between ecological disruption of habitats and the effects on wildlife, livestock and human health.

Founded in 1971 by British naturalist and author Gerald Durrell, Wildlife Trust has built its reputation on 35 years of global research, education, training and experience. Research and conservation work in the United States include programs in the metropolitan New York area, Florida and along the coast of the Southeastern U.S.

Internationally, Wildlife Trust trains and supports a network of scientists around the world to save endangered species and their habitats and to protect the health of vital ecosystems. Wildlife Trust created the first egalitarian international network of science-based conservation organizations called the Wildlife Trust Alliance and is a founding partner organization of the Consortium for Conservation Medicine, a unique think-tank of prestigious academic institutions.

Visit www.wildlifetrust.org to read more.

Media Contact:
Anthony Ramos, Wildlife Trust
Director for Marketing & Communications
ramos@wildlifetrust.org
212/380-4469

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