Discovery Communications and President and CEO David Zaslav Honored Alongside Stella McCartney as 'Forces for Nature' by NRDC

March 31, 2009

(New York, N.Y.) NRDC Chairman Dan Tishman, David Zaslav, Stella McCartney and NRDC President Frances Beinecke.  Discovery Communications President and CEO David Zaslav and fashion designer Stella McCartney were honored by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) with their Forces for Nature award for their remarkable environmental leadership at the 11th Annual "Forces for Nature" benefit. The event took place on March 30, 2009, at 583 Park Avenue in New York City.

Zaslav was honored for his vision and leadership in creating Planet Green as well as Discovery's 25-year tradition of embracing "green" as a corporate value and developing the highest quality programming that celebrates the wonders of our planet for audiences around the world.  

David Zaslav Accepts 2009 Forces for Nature Award with Captains Keith Colburn and Sig Hansen from Discovery Channel's DEADLIEST CATCH. "We believe it is important to honor individuals who understand that environmental stewardship can and should play a role in the work they do and the products they produce," said NRDC President Frances Beinecke. "Both Stella McCartney and David Zaslav demonstrate that you can be protectors of the environment and leaders of industry at the same time. Their trailblazing work in the environmental arena raises the bar, and we hope everyone in the media and fashion world will take note and follow their lead."

"The response that Planet Green has received from viewers demonstrates that you can create programming that is both entertaining and educational," said Zaslav. "We are proud that NRDC recognizes our work in helping people learn how to protect the environment in small and big ways."

Sir Paul McCartney Congratulates David Zaslav on 2009 Forces for Nature award The gala event celebrates those who have made significant contributions to environmental causes in their respective industries. In years past, NRDC has honored such notables as Mayor Michael Bloomberg, actor Robert Redford, Chef Alice Waters, producer Laurie David and former NRDC President John Adams.

This year's event was hosted by Emmy®-winning actor Alec Baldwin and included a special live Saturday Night Live Weekend Edition skit with Seth Myers, as well as a special guest appearance by Sir Paul McCartney, who presented his daughter, Stella, with her award. Zaslav's award was presented by Captains Sig Hansen and Keith Colburn from Discovery Channel's DEADLIEST CATCH.

(Photos courtesy of Ginny Arcari.)