The Turtle Ball
Luminaries from the realms of art and science came together to support the Turtle Conservancy and Global Wildlife Conservation at the fourth Turtle Ball, held at the Bowery Hotel in New York City on April 17, 2017.
This year, the event honored actor and environmentalist Mark Ruffalo for his tireless environmental leadership. Drew Barrymore, Edward Norton, Rashida Jones, Fisher Stevens, Eric Goode, and Brian Sheth hosted the event. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Norton, Sheth and Goode delivered speeches on the wildlife preservation while the dazzling and devilishly funny Sarah Silverman spiked the evening with comedy as master of ceremonies. Renowned contemporary artists including Nan Goldin, Walton Ford, Taryn Simon, and Christopher Wool donated work to the live and silent auctions, which raised over $500,000 for land acquisitions and turtle and tortoise conservation.
“I’m sure I’m not the first person to ever say this, but I relate deeply to a turtle,” said Ruffalo after receiving his award. “I’m really an introvert even though I’m an actor, and the one thing that I’ve learned is to just set your course and slowly plod your way through it.”
