Sold out CBH event offers startling insights from landscape ecologist Eric Sanderson
Panelists Eric Sanderson, Hunter Armstrong and Samantha Maldonado from the April 16 CBH event titled “Brooklyn’s Lost and Future Waterfront.” Photo: John McCarten/Brooklyn Eagle.
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — AT A STANDING-room-only free event at The Center for Brooklyn History on Thursday, landscape ecologist Eric Sanderson took the audience back through 500 million years of historical ecology of New York City.
Along with his team at the New York Botanical Garden’s Urban Conservation program, Sanderson has georeferenced hundreds of maps and synthesized data to create a block-by-block rendering of what New York’s five boroughs would have looked like in 1609, before European colonization.
To build a city that is more resilient to climate change, Sanderson said, planners have to start working alongside the city’s nature instead of against it. Hunter Armstrong of the Brooklyn Greenway Initiative highlighted his organization’s efforts to collaborate with nature to make a greener, more resilient waterfront and city. Along with Samantha Maldonado of THE CITY, they discussed Sanderson’s recent paper about “Blue Zones,” published with his teammate Lucinda Royte, which highlights the shocking revelation that 21% of New York City is most vulnerable to flooding in the years to come.
Readers may find below the full comprehensive report on the ecological history of Brooklyn and clarity on the reasons that more than a fifth of the city is in danger of flooding.
SUNSET PARK — “As a resident of Marine Park, one of the great surprises I found biking around Industry City and visiting Japan Village was to discover Bush Terminal Park. I continue to be amazed at the serene hideaways that the city offers in some of the busiest places — and, still, with an iconic view.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — ‘A miracle that no one was killed …’ That’s what neighbors are saying about the collapse of the Hotel St. George marquee. Shown in this photograph are workmen beginning the removal and repair of the historic, old neon sign at the corner, referencing a relic of Brooklyn Heights’ past: the St. George Hotel.
ATLANTIC AVENUE — Exhausted shopper with cluster of bags and goods from mall at Boerum Place stops to look at huge construction site across the street. “Is that REALLY going to be a jail??” Her male companion is reassuring, “Nothing like Rikers … this is 21st Century.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Overheard in line at one of most popular pastry outlets on Montague Street: “Hope I can get them into a camp …” A mother with two pre-schoolers in tow was showing a friend the Dodge Y flyer for Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 18.
