Marking Earth Day, UN calls attention to endangered species

As part of the global celebrations of Earth Day, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) today hosted an event aimed at calling attention to the plight of endangered species.

Held in conjunction with the International Wilderness Leadership Foundation, known as WILD, the "Ark in the Park" commemoration featured Broadway star Anne Hampton Callaway with the UN International School Choir and students of the Ross School of East Hampton wearing masks representing different endangered species.

Also today, UNEP and the Earth Day Network hosted a celebrity breakfast featuring a keynote address by Nitin Desai, the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs. Participants included actors Kevin Bacon and Susan Sarandon along with artist Peter Max as well as members of the business and political communities.