The Memory of Water

What did New York look like before it was a city? Ecologist Eric W. Sanderson has spent two and half decades researching the landscape, waterways, and wildlife of New York as it existed over 400 years ago, before the first contact between the Indigenous Lenape and European settlers. His work reveals the ecological diversity and abundance of New York’s past—and that despite the immense changes to the land and ecosystems wrought by urban development, the historic landscape of wetlands, springs, ponds, and streams has a persistent impact on how our city and its water systems look and function today. 

On March 20, Eric W. Sanderson will give a talk on the Indigenous landscape of New York and how knowledge of our ecological history can help us plan for the future impacts of climate change in a city shaped by water and facing increasing flooding events. Following the talk, Sanderson will be joined for a conversation with urban planner, climate policymaker, and artist Daphne Lundi.

Eric W. Sanderson is Vice President for Urban Conservation at the New York Botanical Garden. Formerly he was a Senior Conservation Ecologist at the Wildlife Conservation Society. Sanderson is the author of the best-selling book, Mannahatta: A Natural History of New York City (Abrams, 2009). The Mannahatta Project, conducted over a decade, investigated the historical streams, ponds, springs, shores, hills, forests, and wildlife of Manhattan Island on the eve of Henry Hudson’s discovery in 1609. Sanderson is currently pursuing the Welikia Project, on the historical and contemporary ecology of the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and surrounding waters. Sanderson holds a Ph.D. in ecology, with emphasis in ecosystem and landscape ecology, from the University of California, Davis. The sequel to Mannahatta, Before New York: An Atlas and Gazetteer, covering all five boroughs, is expected in 2026 from Abrams.

Daphne Lundi is an urban planner, climate policymaker, writer, and artist. She currently runs an independent consultancy where she works with cities, nonprofits, and universities on climate and urban planning initiatives. Previously, Daphne served as Deputy Director at the NYC Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice, leading a team focused on shaping climate policies on extreme heat mitigation, open space access, and transportation sustainability. Beyond policy, Daphne also works in the arts, exploring the role of craft in storytelling about the built environment and the impacts of climate change. She was an inaugural Public Scholar at the Moynihan Center at The City College of New York, and is currently a New City Critic with The Architectural League and Urban Design Forum.

The main seating area of the theater is reached by stairs, but a wheelchair lift and accessible seating are available. SVA Theatre staff can provide assistance with the lift -- we recommend arriving 15-20 minutes prior to the event's start time.

Listening devices are available for the hearing impaired. Please contact info@ohny.org with any questions about accessibility.