This year to coincide with the 2016 Global March for Elephants and Rhinos, I was asked to sing “Species Closeout” again for a fundraiser tirelessly organized by Alex Forbes at The Bitter End on September 25th. She did a fantastic job organizing this just like she did for the event in 2015.

We had a great turnout for this event and I was happy to also be a backup singer with Nora Forbes! It was tons of fun and felt great to be helping raise money for a cause so near and dear to my heart. I forget the exact amount raised at the benefit, but it was definitely a substantial amount! CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) — A global treaty enacted in the 1970s that aims to ensure the survival of endangered species threatened by international trade is meeting this year. CITES decisions determine the rules governing the wildlife trade and have an enormous impact on endangered species. This year CoP17 (the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties) is the world’s largest and most influential meeting on international wildlife trade. Held in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 24th September to 5th October 2016. Hopefully a full ban on ivory will be recommended!

The Global March for Elephants and Rhinos (GMFER) takes place every year to mobilize people around the world to march against extinction. The GMFER organizers advocate for the survival of elephants and rhinos by working to end poaching and the wildlife trade. There strategies include public marches and protests, lobbying world leaders to take action to ban ivory and rhino horn trade, and supporting other groups worldwide that are taking action to save these magnificent species from extinction in the wild. The signature annual event is the global march when more than 130 cities around the world march with one voice to demand an end to the trade in ivory, rhino horn and lion bone. For more information, I encourage you to visit their site and get involved.