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From Mannahatta to Welikia to New York: An exploration of the indigenous landscape of New York City (c. 1609)
It’s difficult for us to imagine, but in 1609 when Henry Hudson first laid eyes on it, the island that is now Manhattan had more ecological communities per acre than Yellowstone, more native plant species per acre than Yosemite, more birds than the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Manhattan was home to wolves, black bears, mountain lions, mink, and river otters. Whales, porpoises, seals, and the occasional sea turtle visited its harbor. Millions of birds of more than 150 different species flew over the island on their annual migration. Millions of fish—shad, herring, trout, sturgeon, and eel—swam past the island up the Hudson River and its stream as a rite of spring.
For more than a decade, landscape ecologist Eric Sanderson has been working to bring this world back to life. His book, “Mannahatta: A Natural History of New York City,” is the astounding result of his efforts at reconstructing in words and images the wild island that millions now call home. By geographically matching an 18th-century map with one of modern New York City, examining volumes of historic documents, and collecting and analyzing scientific data, Sanderson re-creates the forests of Times Square, the meadows of Harlem, and the wetlands of downtown. His lively text guides readers through this abundant landscape, while breathtaking illustrations transport them back in time.
Join The Explorers Club on Monday, January 30th to discover the history of the iconic Island and its forgotten eco-systems.
This will be an in-person lecture at Explorers Club Headquarters, and we are opening a number of tickets to guests.
In-person tickets are $15 for Members, and $30 for the General Public.
Check-in will begin at 6:00 pm, with a beer and wine reception from 6:00 – 7:00 pm.
Dr. Eric Sanderson