The Nature Conservancy (TNC) welcomed philanthropists and community leaders for a dinner held at the Cruz Building in Coconut Grove to learn about innovative ways TNC is advancing transformational conservation at a global scale.

Miami was a fitting location for this exciting and visionary conversation, hosted by the TNC Florida Board of Trustees as part of its quarterly meeting.

Already a leader in climate resilience and adaptation, entrepreneurship, and innovation, Miami is also one of the most vulnerable coastal cities worldwide to the impacts of climate change. This makes Miami an ideal location to test and develop global climate solutions and positions the city to be an influential leader in this space.

The evening began with remarks from Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, recognizing the environmental challenges the community faces.

Speaking to TNC’s global impact, Dr. Jeff Parrish, TNC’s global managing director of Protect Oceans, Lands, and Waters, shared an overview of the Enduring Earth initiative, which partners with nations and communities to protect some of the world’s most important ecosystems for generations to come.

Also in attendance were Paula Caballero, TNC’s regional managing director for Latin America and Rob Brumbaugh, Caribbean division director. Both regions have strong ties to Miami and offer incredible opportunities for conservation impact, including tackling the climate crisis, building coastal resilience, and protecting critical global ecosystems and biodiversity.

Miami-based supporters of TNC included TNC Florida Trustee John Levinson and Ellen Levinson; TNC Florida Trustee Mark Crofton and Christina Crofton; and TNC Miami Council members Jocelyn Cortez Young, Marisol Gomez-Melzi, and Sarah Feil Lewin. Florida Sen. Alexis Calatayud and Miami-Dade County Interim Chief Resiliency Officer Patricia Gomez, also attended the event.