Since 1986, The River Project has been working to protect and restore the ecosystem of New York Harbor through scientific research, hands-on environmental education, habitat improvement and innovative waterfront programs.
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Manhattan Deputy Borough President Matthew Washington served as the evening’s emcee.
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The annual fundraising event featured an evening of music, cocktails and dinner while cruising the harbor aboard the eco-friendly excursion boat, Hornblower Hybrid.
The evening’s highlight was a presentation of awards to Mark Kurlansky, author of The Big Oyster and many other books, and to Pete Malinowski, head of the Billion Oyster Project at the Harbor School.
Cathy Drew, founder and executive director of The River Project said, “the summer dinner cruise is a time to get together with the friends and community and admire the gorgeous harbor views while celebrating the wildlife of the Hudson Estuary.”
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And Speaking of Oysters
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Oyster found under Pier 40 photo: The River Project
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On July 26, a diver working on a piling below Pier 40 found this 8.5 inch oyster, by far the biggest wild oyster found in New York City waters in many years.
For now, the oyster is safe in river water in The River Project’s flow-through tank system. “Since it has been detached from the piling it was growing on, if it were just thrown back into the river it would most likely settle to the bottom and be smothered by sediment,” The River Project explained in a Facebook post.