AIANY Earth Day Urban Ecology Boat Tour

Don’t miss the first-annual Earth Day boat tour, a collaboration between AIANY and Classic Harbor Line focusing on issues of urban ecology! Join us on this special full circumnavigation of Manhattan to celebrate Earth Day 2019, and experience a comfortable tour through the Hudson, East, and Harlem Rivers from the climate-controlled and enclosed back-deck observatory—or wander to the outer decks for fresh air and sunlight with a complimentary beverage in hand.

This unique circumnavigation of Manhattan will explore green infrastructure designed to both restore the health and productivity of the region’s marine ecology and to create resilient edges to mitigate storm surge and sea level rise. Guests will hear accounts of the abundant marine life documented by 17th century explorers and learn how subsequent settlement patterns and resource overuse led to the estuary’s decline. Today’s ecological goals, including efforts to rebuild native oyster habitat and create sanctuaries for migratory fish and waterfowl, embody a renewed commitment to restoring native ecology along our shared urban shoreline. 

Highlights will include:

• The past, present and future of New York Harbor’s estuary
• How the region’s historic ecological wealth and diversity inform today’s waterfront 
• Efforts to tame, control, or enhance the region’s geological and topographical formation
• How NYC is addressing sea level rise and frequent storm events through resilient planning
• The health and challenges facing NYC aquatic species: oysters, striped bass, shad, sturgeon, and myriad waterfowl
• Multi-pronged efforts to improve health through lowering carbon emissions, water pollution and reducing solid waste volume

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Please Note: As a reminder, AIA National policy requires participants to attend the entire educational portion of an event to receive continuing education credits. We encourage all participants to arrive on time to comply with this policy.