Toward a Sustainable Upper Bay: Islands, Bays, Channels & Canals
Wednesday, July 28, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Join us for a scenic boat ride and lively commentary on the present and future of the Upper Bay of New York Harbor. We’ll get up-close views of Ellis, Liberty and Governors islands, take the Buttermilk Channel past Red Hook and visit assorted basins and canals. Along the way, we’ll learn about the Upper Bay’s changing environment, the preservation and conservation challenges facing its extraordinary National Parks and look to the future—including a waterfront public high school that will offer an education built upon New York City’s maritime experience.
Host:
Vin Cipolla, president, Municipal Art Society. Devoted to preservation, conservation and the arts, Mr. Cipolla has consistently provided civic leadership in these areas throughout his adult life. He was appointed president of the MAS in early 2009. From 2005 through 2009, he was president and CEO of the National Park Foundation and continues to serve on the foundation’s board as its vice chairman. Twelve years earlier, Mr. Cipolla was executive vice president and publisher of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Featured Speakers:
Maria Burks, commissioner, National Parks of New York Harbor. Ms. Burks now oversees several of the Upper Bay’s most notable destinations, including Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island, Governors Island National Monument and Gateway National Recreation Area. Before coming to New York, Ms. Burks managed Alcatraz Island, served as superintendent of Spotsylvania National Military Park in Virginia and of Cape Cod National Seashore in Massachusetts.
Eric Goldstein, director, NRDC’s New York City Environment.
Mr. Goldstein is a senior attorney in the Natural Resource Defense Council’s New York office. He has worked for more than 30 years on urban environmental issues, including air pollution, solid waste, drinking water and environmental justice. He first gained nationwide attention in the early 1980s for spearheading the public campaign to get lead out of gasoline. Mr. Goldstein is co-author of The New York Environment Book.
Leslie Koch, president, Governors Island Preservation & Education Corporation (GIPEC). In 2005, approximately 8,000 visitors took the ferry to Governors Island. In 2009, the number had risen to 275,000, in large measure due to Ms. Koch’s leadership. GIPEC received a special recognition award from MAS at this year’s annual meeting for “entrepreneurship, imagination and creativity” in its “tangible enhancement” of the city’s livability.
Bring a picnic supper or purchase food, including wine and beer, on board. Sorry, bringing your own alcoholic beverages onto the vessel is not permitted.
$75, $50 MAS members. Reservations required.
Meet at Pier 83, 42nd St. & 12th Ave. Board at 5:30 p.m.
