The Great Outdoors 2016 Willie Geist as Host

Paul Tudor Jones presenting to Lauren and Justin Tuck

Fall is such a spectacular time of year to connect with and celebrate The Great Outdoors.  On Tuesday, September 19 the call of the wild will sound on Tudor Investment Campus in Greenwich, Connecticut to support the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.   Intrepid nature lovers will assemble to try their skills at Zip Lining, Trout Pond Fishing, Skeet Shooting and many more activities for the brave of heart. 

Former First Lady Laura Bush will be honored for her dedication to the environment.   She and President Bush were avid supporters of nature and wildlife, and in her native Texas,  Mrs. Bush partnered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Wildlife Federation, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center among others to protect and spread the word about the endangered Monarch Butterfly, earning her the reputation as “monarch warrior.”  

This celebration is not your average fund raising event as the adventurous attendees ready themselves to be challenged to the extreme.  It is a family affair – fund raising at its best!  

Up you go!

Team Work  

Right on Target 

Oh, go climb a tree

Or a wall 

Hang on tight!

Look Mom!

Easy as . . .  

Whee!

And lots of strenuous socializing. 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service traces its roots back to 1871 to the U.S. Commission on Fish and Fisheries.  It became part of the Department of Interior in 1939,  and in 1984, Congress created National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to support the Service.  It has grown to be the largest maker of conservation grants, working with both the public and private sectors to protect and restore our nation’s fish, wildlife, plants and habitats.   

Hilary and I had a ball with the “Blue Jean Preferred” attire.  She is my jeans muse, always showing up in the latest style and looking chic.  

KK, Nicole Hanley, Kick Kennedy, Hilary Quest Magazine 2011

Jeans are part of my daily uniform so I am always on the look-out for new and interesting styles. They certainly have come a long way from their creation in 1873 by Levi Strauss, when they were designed for cowboys and miners. In the 50’s the greaser subculture made them popular with teenagers and they have become a fashion item ever since. Did you know that every American owns, on average, seven pairs of blue jeans? My go to style is the boot cut, which is flattering and lengthens the leg. But right now I am loving high-rise cropped jeans with a little unexpected detail, like these shown here with the red grosgrain tuxedo stripes. And as fashion always evolves, it looks like the original Levi’s (pre stretch) are making a comeback. Not sure I am going to jump on that fashion trend but may be an excuse to add to my jean collection.

tops: Adeam Puffed Sleeved Sweater  $925  /  L’Agence Cromwell Military Camo Jacket  $395

Maggie Marilyn Don’t Forget To Dream Reversible Bomber Jacket  $975

pants: Veronca Beard Carolyn Tuxedo Stripe Baby Boot  $298  /  L’Agence Solana Diamond Flare Jeans  $245

sunglasses:  Gucci Green Gradient Aviator  $400

shoes:    Golden Goose Superstar Dark Yellow Velvet Sneakers  $515  / See By Chloé Claudia Lace-Up Hiker Booties  $395

When dressing for the great outdoors, I like to keep the palette in the shades found in nature, soft neutrals, khaki green and brown.   I am looking forward to trying out a pair of boot-cut jeans but not giving up my versatile slim-cut which can be worn with boots, booties, flats or pumps.   Since I am not actually going to be shimmying up a pole or falling off a log, I took a little style licence and dressed up for the occasion.  The Veronica Beard jacket is a great investment for fall and can take you from city dressing to weekends in nature.  To accessorize, a pair of booties, a Chloe bag or backpack and a soft blouse to add the feminine touch.  Ray Ban Aviators are de rigueur for the serious sports woman.   

tops: Michael Michael Kors Cold-Shoulder Fil Coupė Top  $155  /  Veronica Beard Camp Twill Jacket  $595  /  Ganni Dufort Leopard Print Shirt  $280

jeans: Mother Hustler Cropped Frayed High-Rise Flared Jeans  $215  /  Madewell High-Rise Skinny Jeans  $125

accessories:  Dinosaur Designs Earrings  $190  /  Ray-Ban Aviator Sunglasses  $170  /  See By Chloé Tasseled Suede Shoulder Bag  $295  /  Chloe Small Suede Backpack $1850   

booties:   Rag&Bone Harrow Bootie $550   /   Isabele Marant Suede Bootie $560

Eaddo Kiernan, NFWF Board Member and avid outdoors woman.

It is interesting to note that it is the individuals who vigorously pursue hunting and fishing are nature’s greatest champions.   They are not just interested in their prey, they are dedicated to preserving the land and its natural resources for the good of us all.    According to author and environmental historian John Rieger, “Beginning in the late 1870’s sportsmen across America formed hundreds of organizations that not only fostered responsibility for game habitats but also spearheaded the creation of national parks, forests and wildlife refuges.”  

My personal rough riding hero, Teddy Roosevelt,  was known as our “conservation president”  He lead the charge on preservation of lands and species, sparked by his love of nature and time spent out west in the Badlands.  

 “It is also vandalism wantonly to destroy or to permit the destruction of what is beautiful in nature, whether it be a cliff, a forest, or a species of mammal or bird. Here in the United States we turn our rivers and streams into sewers and dumping-grounds, we pollute the air, we destroy forests, and exterminate fishes, birds and mammals.”  


 

Paul Tudor Jones is one of our modern day versions of the sportsman as conservationist.   Board Member of NFWF and Co Founder of The Everglades Foundation, he dedicates a substantial amount of his personal time to philanthropic and natural resource conservation efforts.  

Paul Tudor Jones, Justin Tuck, John Sykes

As in the past, the environmental movement in this country continues to claim a visionary mission – to save a species, to protect a forest, to preserve a wetland – not just for ourselves.   It is for our children and their children.  That they will have the opportunities that we have, to know the joyful wonder and rejuvenative power  of nature and the natural world.     

“We have fallen heirs to the most glorious heritage a people ever received, and each one must do his part if we wish to show that the nation is worthy of its good fortune.” Theodore Roosevelt

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