The Perfect Outdoor Party Raises Big Bucks for Houston Conservation

Who Needs a Ballroom?

BY Shelby Hodge // Oct 20, 2017

photography Daniel Ortiz, Dave Rossman

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From left: Chairs Mike Gallagher, Mary Jane Gallagher, Jean Jenner and Rick Jenner at the Nature Conservancy's Houston Annual Conservation Gala at the Houston Polo Club Wednesday Oct. 18, 2017.(Dave Rossman Photo)

Dana Roy and Linda Elkin at the Nature Conservancy's Houston Annual Conservation Gala at the Houston Polo Club Wednesday Oct. 18, 2017.(Dave Rossman Photo)

Nature Conservancy's Houston Annual Conservation Gala at the Houston Polo Club Wednesday Oct. 18, 2017

Jackie and Bill Cathriner at the Nature Conservancy's Houston Annual Conservation Gala at the Houston Polo Club Wednesday Oct. 18, 2017.(Dave Rossman Photo)

From left: Leslie Sprague, Belinda Oelman, chair Jean Jenner and Diana Patterson at the Nature Conservancy's Houston Annual Conservation Gala at the Houston Polo Club Wednesday Oct. 18, 2017.(Dave Rossman Photo)

Marie de Limelette and Alexander Caldin at the Nature Conservancy's Houston Annual Conservation Gala at the Houston Polo Club Wednesday Oct. 18, 2017.(Dave Rossman Photo)

Chairs Mike & Mary Jane Gallagher and Jean & Rick Jenner

What: The Nature Conservancy‘s annual Conservation Gala

Where: Houston Polo Club

PC Moment: The weather was so fab on this true fall night that organizers opted to erect only the frame of the party tent, skipping the siding and ceiling and instead stringing party lights across the open framework. (In previous years, the outdoor event has suffered from the unseasonable heat and humidity.) Chairs Mary Jane and Mike Gallagher and Jean and Rick Jenner could not have been luckier with the beautiful evening during which $300,000 was raised for the conservancy’s work protecting and nurturing Texas lands.

Swift + Company provided the party fare while Password delivered the tunes that kept the dance floor hopping.

Who: Conservancy Texas state director Laura Huffman, Lisa and David Stone, Joni Baird, Michelle Beale and Dick Anderson, Zane and Brady Carruth, Abbi and Rob Antablin, Kate and Steve Gibson, and Carolyn and Paul Rizza.