Douglas and Jody Durst are honored as environmental champions by NRDC

Real Estate Weekly, May 9, 2001

Television talk show host Jon Stewart was the master of ceremonies at an event honoring Douglas and Jody Durst and others as the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) presented its third annual Forces for Nature awards on Apr. 23. The gala event honored key figures working to defend the environment.

Real estate developers Douglas and Jody Durst, president and executive vice president of the Durst Organization, received a "Forces For Nature" award for the development of Four Times Square, a green building in the center of New York City. It is the first project of its size to adopt standards for energy efficiency, indoor ecology, sustainable materials, and responsible operations and maintenance procedures.

Philanthropist Teresa Heinz was honored for her extensive support of environmental causes, which has enabled thousands of people to bring positive changes for the environment. Ed Begley, Jr. received an award for his long-standing active environmental lifestyle, which serves as a model to both the Hollywood community and citizens of the world.

"The prestigious Forces for Nature award honors remarkable personal leadership in safeguarding the environment. These individuals are exemplary, demonstrating their dedication to the environment through their words and actions and in their own lives," said John H. Adams, NRDC president.

"With the change in climate in Washington, we face enormous challenges to defend- the hard-won progress we've made," Adams said. "Since January, we've had to fend off attacks that could cause long-term damage like global warming and unnecessary and damaging oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and other wild places. We've witnessed the EPA caving into the mining industry by withdrawing regulations on arsenic. But thanks to the leadership of outstanding individuals like our honorees, we can mobilize to save the earth."

The "Forces for Nature" award was designed by Maya Lin, designer of the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial. The event was co-chaired by Arie Kopelman, Jann Wenner, Jonathan Rose, and Dan Tishman. Invited guests included environmentalist Bobby Kennedy, Jr.