Rainforest Alliance Honors Sustainability Innovators

Conservation organization announces recipients of annual gala awards

By Danielle Lee

Nonprofit conservation organization the Rainforest Alliance announced its 2008 honorees, which it will recognize at an annual event, May 15, at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.

"We are proud to honor global leaders across sectors ranging from forest products to coffee to finance for big strides they have made in supporting sustainability," said Executive Director Tensie Whelan.

The gala celebrates individuals and companies that have made sustainable strides in conservation efforts and supply chain decisions.

Honorees include the Prince of Wales, receiving the lifetime achievement award for his environmental advocacy; individual sustainable standard-setter recipient Toshishige Nakagoshi, whose Yusuhara Forest Owners’ Cooperative in Japan integrates green practices; corporate sustainable standard-setters Mohawk Fine Papers and NatureAir; and corporate green globe awardees Gloria Jean’s Coffees International, Goldman Sachs, HSBC and Luigi Lavazza.