Legacy of Hope
Saturday, July 18, 2026, 6 p.m.
Keynote speaker: Noted wildlife photographer Michael Forsberg, author of Into Whooperland
Four Seasons Hotel, Chicago
120 East Delaware Place, 312-280-8800
A celebration of International Crane Foundation Co-founder George Archibald’s legacy as we look towards the future for the world’s rarest crane, the Whooping Crane.
Join us for George Archibald’s 80th birthday gala to celebrate his legacy and the future of crane conservation. It took the concerted effort of thousands of people and many public and private organizations to bring the Whooping Crane back from the brink of extinction.
Yet what would that journey have been like without George? His determined optimism encourages us all to work together to save cranes, and to restore and protect the natural world cranes depend on. A Legacy of Hope looks forward to a bright future of continued advocacy, adventure, and inspiration. Join us in Chicago to honor George and our vision for the decades to come.
Purchase Individual Tickets Here View Frequently Asked Questions Here
For event questions, please email us or call 608-356-9462 ext. 807.
Whooping Crane Sponsors $80,000
Robert C. Dohmen
Erica P. John Fund
Liz McMullan and Kaveh Haghkerdar
Diana and David Moore
Wendy and Hank Paulson, Bobolink Foundation
Jennifer Speers
Siberian Crane Sponsors $50,000
Nancy Roehr and Steve Euller
Grey Crowned Crane Sponsors $25,000
Leslie Coolidge, Lynne and Charles Gibbons
Barbi and Thomas Donnelley II
Anne and Hall Healy, Sandra and David Whitmore
G. David Hurd and Trudy Holman Hurd
Heidi Kiesler
Kathy and Tom Leiden
Elizabeth Bradham Pinckney
Rushmore Foundation
Thomas P. Zidar, Wintrust Wealth Management
Red-crowned Crane Sponsors $10,000
Jill Allread and Pamela Freese
Roberta and Ira Asher
Margaret and Lawrence Benjamin
Karen and Joseph Branch
Susan Carnahan
Dallas Zoo
Grus Crew
William Haffner
Crystal and James Hegge
Paula and Andrew Holman
Christopher Hunt
Connie Maneaty and Steve Adcock
Nancy and John Merrill
Kathy and Don Pierson
The Pfaff, Bailey, McCannon, & Fuelleman Group
Public Communications, Inc.
Jason Sauey and Family
Texas Crane Council
Wings Still Flying
Bill Kurtis and Donna La Pietra, Journalists, Conservationists, and Storytellers
Bill Kurtis and Donna La Pietra are acclaimed Chicago journalists and run Kurtis Productions, a documentary film production company. Bill was a news anchor for CBS at Chicago’s WBBM Channel 2, and Donna was later the channel’s executive producer. Bill also traveled the world for the PBS series “The New Explorers,” including trips to Baraboo, Wisconsin, and Moscow to document George Archibald’s work. He has recently retired from his role as co-host of National Public Radio’s weekly news quiz show, “Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me.” Bill and Donna are well-known for their commitment to conservation and to non-profit organizations like the International Crane Foundation.
Garden Green Salad and Bread Basket
Heirloom tomatoes, radish, cucumber, beet, toasted almonds, edible flowers, and lemon thyme vinagrette
Mini baguettes, pretzel rolls, and flatbread crisps with butter
Entrée Choice
Miso Braised Beef Short Ribs
Butternut squash puree, French beans, crispy sweet potato, cipollini onion, shiso
Herb Roasted Sustainable Salmon
Creamy lobster fregola, sweet corn, peas, carrots, shaved fennel, tarragon oil
Rosenthal Bowl
Grilled tofu “steak” and broccoli (DF, GV, V, VG)
Please note that the room block rate for this event at the Four Seasons Hotel is sold out. Please call the hotel directly at 312-280-8800 for room availability and the best rate.
