We all know South Florida has a green streak—think of all the Everglades warriors and the recent Ag Reserve fight—as hard as it may be to find it sometimes with our development surge. But we also have some people who are doing their best to save parts of the world well away from here, like Jupiter’s Dereck and Beverly Joubert, whose Great Plains Foundation has a mission to conserve and expand natural habitats in Africa. Currently managing 1 million acres across fragile ecosystems in Botswana, Kenya, and Zimbabwe, the Jouberts protect wildlife populations by acquiring key areas under threat, and converting them into protected areas with economic benefits, such as wildlife conservation supported by photographic tourism.
These people are a big deal.
They are award-winning filmmakers, conservationists, winners of the 2021 Explorers Club Medal and National Geographic Explorers-at-Large, who have been filming, researching and exploring Africa for more than 40 years. Through their film company, Wildlife Films, they have created more than 35 films, and received eight Emmy awards.
And they will be here for you to meet in a few weeks.
The Addison is teaming up with the Jouberts on “A Night in the Wild,” on Wednesday, Feb. 7, at 6:00 p.m. at the Addison for an uplifting fundraiser supporting their crucial conservation endeavors. At the heart of this collaboration is the Addison’s own Vice President and community activist Zoe Lanham, who met this couple a year ago—and has been a supporter and mega-fan ever since.
In her own words:
“During the summer of 2023 I travelled to Zimbabwe to witness firsthand the relocation efforts of 900 elephants. I have to say the work being done is not only inspiring it’s imperative to protect these majestic animals and their environments for future generations. Words could never fully describe the impact the foundation and the Jouberts are making to the world. Dereck and Beverly are founders of Rhinos Without Borders, an initiative that has moved 87 rhinos from high poaching areas to safety. They also co-founded the Big Cats Initiative with National Geographic, as an emergency initiative to slow the rapid decline of big cats around the world. I say to anyone who will listen, chemotherapy healed my cancer but my trip to Africa last year healed my soul and ignited my spirit!”
Lanham says 100 percent of the event ticket sales will go directly to the foundation. This is one evening—complete with hors d’oeuvres, dinner, and a sundowner—that Boca won’t forget. And you won’t either.
To purchase tickets or donate, click here.
We’ll see you there.
