The speakers will share an inspiring story on how these nearly 100 Elephants, now on display on the streets of Manhattan in the Meatpacking District, serve as a powerful symbol of socioeconomic empowerment of historically marginalized indigenous people like the Adivasi communities of the Nilgiri Hills. Dr. Tarsh Thekaekara, Director, The Real Elephant Collective, will explain how elephants help reclaim invasive lantana, empowering indigenous communities. Ruth Ganesh, Trustee of Elephant Family + Co-Founder of The Coexistence Collective, will discuss how redefining conservation as coexistence has supported the simultaneous growth of human and elephant populations in the Nilgiris. Terri Carta, Executive Director, Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Park Conservancy, will speak to how urban conservation efforts demonstrate the potential for NYC to continue to play a pivotal role in protecting and enhancing the environment through community engagement. Jeffrey LeFrancois, Executive Director of the Meatpacking Business Improvement District, will highlight why Meatpacking is uniquely positioned to facilitate the connection of art, public policy, and culture with this installation.