Singer/Songwriter Sheryl Crow, Artist Shelly Malkin and Malkin Holdings President Tony Malkin Honored for Leadership in Environmental Movement

NRDC Holds 12th Annual "Forces for Nature" Benefit

New York, NY (April 15, 2010) - The Natural Resources Defense Council will today honor Grammy award-winning musician Sheryl Crow and Shelly & Tony Malkin at the 12th Annual “Forces for Nature” benefit. Supporters will gather tonight at Chelsea Piers on the West Side of Manhattan for dinner and a special performance by Grammy Award-winning recording artist Lyle Lovett.

“NRDC’s annual Forces for Nature Award celebrates the accomplishments of individuals that have shown remarkable personal leadership in environmental arena,” said NRDC President Frances Beinecke. “We hope that by drawing attention to the hard work of people like Sheryl Crow and Shelly and Tony Malkin we can illustrate not only what is possible, but also inspire future generations of musicians, artists and business leaders to embrace both success and sustainability as they build their careers.”

In both their individual and shared professional pursuits, Shelly and Tony Malkin are dedicated environmental stewards in the arts and business worlds. Shelly Malkin is an active member of NRDC’s Board of Trustees and an artist, using her work to evoke a personal and emotional connection to nature. In his role as President of Malkin Holdings, Tony Malkin oversaw the groundbreaking energy efficiency renovation of New York’s Empire State Building -- making it the world’s leading model of energy efficiency retrofits for existing office buildings. Together they helped to launch NRDC’s Center for Market Innovation, which endeavors to jumpstart environmental solutions through business and market-based policy shifts.

“We are so grateful to our friends and business associates who have joined us in supporting the work and successes of the NRDC,” said Shelly and Tony Malkin. “We are privileged to have been honored by this organization, the staff which makes it work, and the board which guides it.”

Sheryl Crow has long used her fame to promote sustainability efforts. Through her eco-friendly clothing line Bootheel Trading Co., her 2008 cross-country global warming awareness tour with NRDC Trustee and An Inconvenient Truth producer Laurie David, and her personal commitment to using renewable energy both at home and on the road, Crow has displayed an unflinching loyalty to her beliefs, raising the bar for celebrities and advocates alike.

"I am deeply honored to accept this recognition and am proud to be part of an organization that helps protect our health and the environment,” said Sheryl Crow. “The work done by the NRDC, in my estimation, is the most important work of all and the umbrella under which all other causes fall."

The “Forces for Nature” gala celebrates those who have made significant contributions to environmental causes in their respective industries. In years past, NRDC has honored such notables as Mayor Michael Bloomberg, actor Robert Redford, fashion designer Stella McCartney, Chef Alice Waters, and former NRDC President John Adams. On behalf of this year’s celebration and its honorees, the top of the Empire State Building will be lit in green.

Each year, NRDC strives to make the event as sustainable as possible. In keeping with that tradition, NRDC has taken the following steps:

  • The menu features seasonal, organically-grown and sustainably harvested ingredients where possible, following the “100-mile diet” philosophy.
  • All food waste will be composted in Chelsea Pier’s own organic composting machine.
  • Wine for the event will be locally sourced from the family operated Duckwalk Vineyards located on the North Fork of Long Island.
  • Floral centerpieces, styled in re-usable containers, will be shaped from seasonal flowers and local branches which will be re-rooted and re-planted after the event.
  •  Invitations and programs for the evening are all produced with 100% Forest Stewardship Council-certified recycled paper, processed chlorine-free using 100% wind power and vegetable-based inks.
  • No disposable utensils, plates, or cups will be used.
  • No plastic bottled water will be served.