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2024 NY-NJ HEP Conference: Working Together for a Thriving Harbor & Estuary

Virtual Sessions

This year’s conference incorporated four virtual sessions in the week after the conference, which were open to the public. View recordings of the sessions below:

2024 HEP Conference Agenda


Welcome! Check in, pass through security, and pick up your nametag. Coffee and tea will be available to participants as you wait for the program to begin.

Rob Pirani is the director for the New York-­New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program and senior director for engagement and policy at the Hudson River Foundation. HEP is a collaboration of government, scientists and the civic sector that helps protect, restore, and provide access to the Hudson River Estuary. It is one of 28 such programs around the country authorized under the Clean Water Act. Prior to joining the Foundation in 2014, Mr. Pirani was vice president for energy and environment at Regional Plan Association and executive director of the Governors Island Alliance. Mr. Pirani has received awards from the Environmental Advocates of New York, National Trust for Historic Preservation, and The New York Harbor School Foundation. Mr. Pirani has served as a founding board member of the four­state Highlands Coalition, Governors Island Alliance and Brooklyn Greenway Initiative. Mr. Pirani holds a Masters Degree in Regional Planning from Cornell University and BA in Environmental Studies from Hampshire College.
VIEW THE PRESENTATION HERE
LOCATION: Eisner & Lubin Auditorium

Isabelle Stinnette is an ecologist with over a decade of experience in ecological research, restoration, and project management across diverse ecosystems. Currently serving as Senior Scientist for Ecological Restoration with the NY-NJ Harbor & Estuary Program at the Hudson River Foundation, Isabelle leads strategic initiatives in habitat restoration, including the innovative Aquatic Connectivity Through Climate-Ready Infrastructure project, coordinates inter-agency workgroups, and conducts environmental assessments such as the State of the Estuary Report. With an MS from Stony Brook University, Isabelle is dedicated to advancing resilient ecosystems through research, collaborative outreach, and data-driven environmental practices.
VIEW THE PRESENTATION HERE
LOCATION: Eisner & Lubin Auditorium

Rick Balla is an environmental engineer and has been with EPA's New York City office since 1984. For his entire career, he has been involved in water issues, ranging from water quality standards and nonpoint source pollution control to comprehensive watershed management. Rick currently serves as the Supervisor of the Watershed Management Branch, a team of 30 engineers and scientists, with responsibilities including wetlands protection, nonpoint source pollution management and watershed based conservation and restoration efforts for five national estuary programs (Long Island Sound, New York New Jersey Harbor and Estuary, Delaware Bay, Barnegat Bay and Peconic Estuary), the Great Lakes (including the Niagara and St. Lawrence Rivers), Chesapeake Bay, Lake Champlain, Onondaga Lake and the urban waters program. In 2016, Rick served as the Acting Deputy Director of the Clean Water Division, which, like the Watershed Management Branch, serves New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and eight federally recognized Indian Nations. He worked closely with the Water Division Director to manage a team of 70 water program staff members. Rick is a native and life-long New Yorker and has a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University where he studied agricultural engineering.

Heather Gierloff, Hudson River Estuary Coordinator, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Heather Gierloff assures the collaboration across four Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) programs, Hudson River Estuary Advisory Committee (HREMAC), and state/federal partners in managing the Hudson River Estuary and its watershed. She values building meaningful relationships with partners and stakeholders to protect, preserve, restore, and enhance the Hudson River Estuary and watershed. When not working on key Hudson River issues, you can find her spending time with family, cheering on the side lines of an athletic field, gardening, crafting, or hiking.

Brenda Torres is the Executive Director of the San Juan Bay Estuary Program. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Sciences from the University of Puerto Rico and a Master’s Degree in Environmental Management from the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies at Yale University. She was part of the State of New York’s Secretary of Environment’s work team, where she provided advice to Governor Andrew Cuomo. She also directed the Government of Puerto Rico’s Office of Federal Affairs in New York. In California, Brenda served as Executive Director of the third largest chapter of the Audubon Society in this state, which serves 4,000 active members and more than 100 volunteers. In addition, she worked as a Public Policy Analyst for the U.S. Forest Service in Washington, DC.

Arif Ullah, Executive Director, South Bronx Unite

Debbie Mans is a seasoned environmental policy maker and local elected official, with expertise in public participation, strategic communications, and community engagement. She has extensive experience working on clean water, climate change, environmental justice and renewable energy issues. Prior to forming TWENTYTWENTY public affairs in 2020, she was the Deputy Commissioner at the NJ Department of Environmental Protection, responsible for providing strategic direction on the Department’s renewable energy, environmental justice, climate change and state planning initiative, and representing the Department in public forums, press events and before various stakeholders. She was also the Baykeeper and Executive Director of NY/NJ Baykeeper, a leading environmental non-profit organization protecting the NY Harbor Estuary. Prior to her work at Baykeeper, Debbie was the Environmental & Policy Advisor for NJ Governor Jon S. Corzine. Debbie holds certifications from the International Association for Public Participation, has an Alumni M-Pact DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) Certificate from the University of Michigan, and completed facilitation training through the Institute for Conservation Leadership.
LOCATION: Eisner & Lubin Auditorium

Virginia Wong is Chief of the Clean Water Regulatory Branch in the Water Division of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2. Region 2 covers New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and eight federally recognized Indian Nations. In her current position, Virginia directs and manages the entire Clean Water Act point source control program, water quality standards, and dredging, sediments and ocean disposal. Virginia graduated with a Chemical Engineering degree from the City College of New York and has over 30 years of experience in water quality, wastewater management, industrial waste, pretreatment, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit and enforcement programs.

Nick Angarone is New Jersey’s Chief Resilience Officer and manager of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s (NJDEP) Office of Climate Resilience. As Chief Resilience Officer, Nick coordinates statewide resilience policy and serves as Vice-Chair of the Interagency Council on Climate Resilience. He also leads and directs the development of the Statewide Climate Change Resilience Strategy, and provides technical guidance and support to local governments in their efforts to address the impacts of climate change. As manager of the Office of Climate Resilience, Nick oversees the Bureau of Climate Resilience Planning and the Blue Acres buyout program, and administers the New Jersey Coastal Management Program in cooperation with a network of programs across NJDEP. He also represents Commissioner Shawn LaTourette on the State Planning Commission, ensuring that climate resilience, natural resource protection, and infrastructure capacity is incorporated into the planning process. Nick has been with NJDEP since 2004, and previously served as liaison to the NJ Highlands Council, worked on state planning, developed wastewater management plans, and established NJDEP’s first resilience planning program. Earlier, he worked in the private sector as a transportation planner, and for county government on regional planning and historic preservation. Nick is a graduate of Rutgers University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental planning and design, as well as a master’s degree in city and regional planning from the Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy at Rutgers University.

Alan Cohn is Senior Policy and Science Advisor to the Deputy Commissioner of Sustainability at the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. Alan’s focus has been on preparing water systems for climate change and population growth through partnerships and financial incentives to protect communities and optimize infrastructure, including a cloudburst flooding mitigation program to apply nature-based and design approaches from Copenhagen to New York City. Alan represents New York City as the Staff Chair of the Water Utility Climate Alliance, a group of 12 large utilities which provide leadership and collaboration on climate change issues affecting the country's water agencies.

Noah Chesnin is the Director of Policy and Outreach for the Wildlife Conservation Society’s (WCS) New York Seascape program where he works on conservation engagement and policy advocacy efforts. He leads the New York Aquarium’s work with community partners and residents to support community-led solutions to climate resilience in Coney Island. He also leads WCS’s work to promote the designation of Hudson Canyon as a National Marine Sanctuary, among other policy priorities. He serves as Vice Chair of the proposed Hudson Canyon Sanctuary Advisory Council, supporting the stakeholder process to designate the first National Marine Sanctuary off the coast of New York and New Jersey. He also serves on the Executive Committee (and formerly as Chair) of the Aquarium Conservation Partnership (ACP), a consortium of 29 US aquariums and zoos working collaboratively on conservation policy, including climate resilience and ocean justice issues. Noah received his BA in Humanities from Yale University and his Master of Environmental Management from the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University. Prior to joining WCS, Noah served as the Knauss Sea Grant Fellow in the Office of Congressman Sam Farr (CA-20) and worked for several environmental advocacy organizations in New York City and Boston.

Pamela Pettyjohn is the Founder and President of the Coney Island Beautification Project, Inc. When her Coney Island home and a large part of her community was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy in 2012, Pamela came to the realization that despite her losses, she had to give back to the many thousands in need. Founded in 2014, the Coney Island Beautification Project was formed in response to Hurricane Sandy to foster community involvement, resilience, and education to enhance the local environment. The organization focuses on neighborhood greening, developing and enhancing parks, street tree beds, waterfronts and other green spaces for public use. Pamela also serves on the board of the Waterfront Alliance, an organization that works to inspire and effect resilient, revitalized, and accessible coastlines for all communities. And finally, Pamela serves in a leadership role on several coalitions, including Rise to Resilience, the Forests For All NYC Coalition, Northeast Regional Council Member of the National Parks Conservation Association, New York-New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) and several others.

Liam Kavanagh devoted over 40 years of public service to the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, serving as Brooklyn Forestry Director, Deputy Chief and Chief of Operations, before his appointment as First Deputy Commissioner, a position he held for 18 years. In that role he was responsible for all aspects of the operation of 29,000 acres of parkland, developing environmental policy and playing a key role in promoting urban forestry and horticulture. He counts PlaNYC, in particular the Million Trees Campaign, and the agency's response to Superstorm Sandy among his most challenging and rewarding accomplishments. While serving as First Deputy Commissioner, he was also on the board of the City Parks Alliance, a national voice for urban parks, and chair of the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council for the US Department of Agriculture. Since his retirement from Parks, he has joined the board of the Coney Island Beautification Project, where he continues to work with nature and communities. A lifelong New Yorker, he resides in Brooklyn with his wife Annette.

Russ Dudley is an engineer with more than two decades of experience in water resources, natural infrastructure, and resiliency. He has worked on several impactful projects within the NYC metropolitan area to help adapt communities in response to extreme storms and changing climate conditions, including the New York Rising Community Reconstruction program, Rebuild by Design, and Resilient NJ. He currently serves as the NYC Climate Adaptation lead for Arcadis.
VIEW THE PRESENTATION HERE

As climate change intensifies, advancing a holistic approach to stormwater management and flood mitigation becomes increasingly vital. Communities throughout the estuary are facing heightened risks of both coastal and inland flooding due to persistent extreme weather events. This panel will explore how initiatives from the local to the federal level are enhancing community resilience. By integrating flood mitigation, stormwater management, and habitat restoration, these efforts aim to meet the objectives of the Clean Water Act and safeguard our communities against future climate impacts.

LOCATION: Eisner & Lubin Auditorium

Sarah Murphy is the Assistant Vice President of Land Use at NYCEDC. She oversees EDC’s Mitigation and Restoration Strategies for Habitat and Ecological Sustainability initiative (MARSHES), including the first tidal wetland mitigation bank in NYC at the Saw Mill Creek marsh. Through MARSHES, EDC plans and implements strategies to support sustainable development by balancing waterfront infrastructure projects with coastal ecosystem restoration. Sarah also supports waterfront permitting for EDC projects and interagency coordination on city-owned waterfront property. She has a Masters in Urban Planning from Hunter College.

Pippa Brashear works with planning, engineering and design teams to integrate landscape strategies that are sustainable and resilient, and that balance environment, infrastructure, development, and community quality of life needs. Pippa is currently managing the implementation of SCAPE’s Living Breakwater’s project. Other recent work includes developing coastal protection strategies for New York City’s Strategic Initiative for Rebuilding and Resilience (SIRR); working with community planning committees as part of the New York Rising Community Reconstruction Program; and serving as a key team member in the development of the Hudson River RBD project with Dewberry and OMA. Pippa holds a Master in Landscape Architecture and Master in Urban Planning with Distinction from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, and a Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, in Environmental Science and Public Policy from Harvard College.

Rebecca Swadek is the Director of Wetlands Management at NYC Parks where she oversees an interdisciplinary team focused on protecting and managing the streams, rivers, lakes, and wetlands on NYC’s parkland. She has over 15 years of experience ranging from plant taxonomy to ecological restoration, green roofs, and land management in Texas, California, and New York. She holds a master's degree in environmental science from Texas Christian University and a bachelor's degree in biology from Texas A&M University.

Terry Doss, CERP, is a restoration ecologist who serves as Co-Director and Chief Restoration Scientist for the Meadowlands Research & Restoration Institute, NJ Sports & Exposition Authority. Over the past 35 years, Terry has served as a local leader in restoring the natural areas located within the urban wildlands of NY and NJ, with a primary expertise in managing coastal and wetland restoration projects to reduce flood risks while improving resiliency for coastal communities. Since joining NJSEA, Terry’s primary focus has been on assisting the Authority with meeting their stated mandate to protect the delicate balance of nature.

Emily Walker, Senior Manager of External Affairs, Natural Areas Conservancy (NAC), oversees the NAC’s advocacy and policy strategy, and works across coalitions to help raise awareness of urban natural areas and the resources needed to make them thrive. Prior to joining the NAC, Emily served as the Executive Director of the Broadway Mall Association and was previously the longtime Director of Outreach and Programs at New Yorkers for Parks, where she oversaw the creation of the Play Fair for Parks campaign and managed the Daffodil Project. Emily is a graduate of the Urban Park Leadership Program of CUNY SPS and the Central Park Conservancy Institute for Urban Parks. She also has received her certificate in horticulture from Brooklyn Botanic Garden. She holds a master’s in nonprofit management and a post-master’s certificate in sustainability strategies from the Milano School of Policy, Management, and Environment at the New School, and has a bachelor’s in legal studies from Scripps College.
VIEW THE PRESENTATION HERE

Our Estuary is contending with multiple pressures on our wetlands - the increasing threat of sea level rise and flooding, large-scale resiliency projects along the waterfront, and the siting of renewable energy infrastructure in our waterways. In order to maximize no-net loss goals for our wetlands, we will need to find new approaches to mitigation for wetland and waterfront impacts. The Natural Areas Conservancy will present a moderated 75-minute conversation with practitioners about the current state of wetlands mitigation in New York City and New Jersey, and discuss the ways that wetlands management professionals can help chart a new path forward when approaching this work.

LOCATION: Room 905/907

Hugh Carola holds a BA in Political Science from Ramapo College of New Jersey. During the 1990s, he developed an avocation as an environmental advocate, serving ten years as president of the Ramsey, NJ-based Fyke Nature Association. In 1998 he co-founded the Bergen Open Space Coalition, leading to the establishment of the county’s Open Space, Recreation, Historic and Farmland Preservation Trust in 2000. His avocation became a career in July 1999 when he joined the Hackensack Meadowlands Preservation Alliance under the mentorship of Hackensack Riverkeeper Captain Bill Sheehan. Under Hugh’s leadership, the ad hoc alliance grew from twelve to 120 organizations by January 2001 when its work was deemed complete. That same month he joined Hackensack Riverkeeper as Program Director. Hugh conducts upwards of 150 Eco-Cruises each year aboard the 30-foot Robert H. Boyle II. He also writes or edits much of its official correspondence and administers the organization’s Utzinger-Vellekamp Scholarship. Hugh leads the Hackensack RiverCreepers in NJ Audubon’s World Series of Birding; in 2023 he received their Kane Conservation Award. Hugh represents Hackensack Riverkeeper on regional initiatives, including as Co-Chair of HEP’s Public Access Working Group. He’s a board member of EarthShare NJ, Waterspirit, and the Alliance for New Jersey Environmental Education (ANJEE). In 2004 he received ANJEE’s Outstanding Environmental Educator Award. Hugh received an Arline Simpson Leadership Award from the Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce in 2024. Hugh and his wife Dorothy live in Maywood, NJ. They spend most summer vacations exploring northern New England and eastern Canada.

Terri Carta is a leader in public engagement programming, open space stewardship and nature-based solutions, and nonprofit management. As Executive Director of Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy (JBRPC), Terri is responsible for advancing its mission to improve public parklands and wetland areas throughout Jamaica Bay and the Rockaway peninsula. In partnership with city, state and federal park agencies and multiple community stakeholders, JBRPC works to expand public access and stewardship; preserve and enhance cultural and natural resources; increase opportunities for recreation and learning; foster the local green economy and workforce development; and advance nature-based solutions for the multiple ecosystem and community benefits they provide. Terri’s career spans leadership positions in public engagement, community development, and urban parks management. As the first Executive Director of Brooklyn Greenway Initiative, Terri advanced the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway as a critical component of New York City’s sustainability and mobility plans, and built a coalition of partners to lead a campaign for a fully developed equitable citywide greenway network to serve all New Yorkers. Terri previously served in various leadership roles at Central Park Conservancy, including standing up the Institute for Urban Parks where she served as its Associate Vice President. Prior to her career in New York City, Terri served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Guinea, West Africa, in a community development role within a USAID-funded watershed management project.

Ingrid Haeckel is Manager of the Hudson River Estuary Program at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. She oversees the program’s interdisciplinary outreach, research, restoration, and grants addressing water and habitat conservation, climate resilience, and river access in the estuary watershed. Previously, Ingrid worked for 10 years as a Conservation and Land Use Specialist with the Estuary Program, assisting local and regional partners with conservation planning and land use policy. Earlier in her career, she worked as a Biologist at Hudsonia Ltd and was a Fulbright Fellow in Mexico. She holds a B.A. in Environmental Biology from Columbia University and an M.A. in Geography from the University of Texas at Austin.

Victoria Toro is proudly Bronx-born and raised, with a passion for the outdoors. She has been recreating in and on the water her whole life, and received a Bachelor of Science in Marine Science and Biology from the University of Tampa. Kayaking, canoeing, and scuba diving are some of her favorite things to do. She began her career with the Bronx River Alliance as a volunteer, and loves to share her enthusiasm for enjoying, stewarding, and advocating for our environment with others. As the Alliance's Outreach Manager, she supervises the Recreation and Volunteer programs, and is passionate about connecting local communities to the river and its parks.

Furhana Husani is currently the director of programs and climate initiatives at Waterfront Alliance, and oversees and develops projects and partnerships that address climate resilience, climate education, waterfront access, urban planning, port/maritime industry and integrated related program areas. Furhana also serves as the co-chair of Women of Color Advancing Peace, Security and Conflict Transformation’s (WCAPS) Climate Change Working Group, a global platform that promotes the leadership and voices of women of color in international affairs. Furhana has 15 years of experience in non-profit management, focusing on designing, developing, and leading portfolios focused on climate resilience, climate education, gender and climate, and community and adolescent development in minority and immigrant communities. In addition, Furhana has a strong background in engineering and renewable energy policy, having worked as a consultant and engineer in the electricity generation, energy markets, and energy poverty sectors. Furhana holds a MPA in international energy management and policy from the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) at Columbia University, completed a graduate program in Islamic studies and the humanities at The Institute of Ismaili Studies and has a BSc in chemical engineering from Drexel University.
VIEW THE PRESENTATION HERE

Climate change has driven sea level rise and coastal storms are already having an impact on public access. This includes impacts on piers/piling, park infrastructure, shoreline erosion, and maintenance including floatable debris. At the same time existing public access sites as well as community driven initiatives are or will likely be impacted by planned coastal resiliency measures. This conversation with waterfront park planners, site managers, and community and program partners will provide an overview of the issues and possible responses from local government and resiliency experts.

LOCATION: Room 405/406

Check out the posters across the hall while you meet fellow conference attendees before lunch!

LOCATION: Room 405/406

Wynnie-fred Victor Hinds, born in Haïti, has extensive experience working with grassroots organizations, public and private entities, and businesses in the U.S. and Latin America, with a strong focus on social justice and environmental issues. She is currently the Executive Director of the Weequahic Park Association, an Olmsted Park Conservancy in Newark, NJ. She is a Board Trustee of Clean Water Action, NJ, New Jersey Highlands Coalition, Maryknoll Lay Missioners and Fondation Alfred Béliard contre le Cancer. In addition, she was appointed, by the Mayor of Newark, NJ and the Municipal City Council, to The City of Newark Environmental Commission in October 2015, and continues to serve as an Environmental Commissioner. She has a B.A. in Economics and Management & Administration and a M.S. in International Relations.

Katie Leung is Riverkeeper’s Senior Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator and runs the annual Riverkeeper Sweep, the largest river cleanup in New York State. Prior to joining Riverkeeper, she was a field technician with NYC Parks’ Wildlife Unit in which she led a raptor nest monitoring project to study urban raptor nesting behavior. She graduated from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in 2014 with a B.S. degree in Conservation Biology and centered her interests around wildlife conservation. She also earned an M.A. in Biology in the Advanced Inquiry Program at Miami University in 2022. She took her classes through WCS-Bronx Zoo as her academic institution in New York and focused her graduate master plan on plastic pollution in NYC. She is constantly learning that all environmental and conservation issues are interconnected and aims to involve as many people as possible to become environmental stewards and address these issues.

Neha Savant is an urban wildlife ecologist, settler, and dancer living and working in NYC, Munsee Lenape lands and waters cared for by Indigenous peoples for millennia. She was trained in western natural sciences, with a focus on reptile and amphibian conservation, and has worked in natural resource management in academic, nonprofit and government sectors for the past decade. She is currently a Wildlife & Fisheries Ecologist for NYC Parks’ Division of Environment & Planning where she conducts research and monitoring to advise on protecting, enhancing, and advocating for city biodiversity. She also aims to build agency infrastructure to better engage with the city’s diverse human communities. Neha is part of the NYC Urban Field Station that focuses on knowledge co-production across different sectors/disciplines and uplifting multiple ways of knowing about and caring for place. At the HEP Conference this year, she will be presenting on Stewardship Salons, an NYC Urban Field Station initiative that co-creates learning spaces with communities engaging in stewardship to strengthen networks in natural resource management across silos and hierarchies.

Charlotte Boesch is a sustainable food systems and climate change solutions advocate. As Program Manager at Billion Oyster Project, Charlotte oversees the development of their closed-loop initiative, the Shell Recycling Program. Through strategic relationship cultivation, project management, policy advocacy, event production, and funder development, Charlotte has successfully expanded the program's impact for the past 7 years. She is passionate about creating a more sustainable and equitable food system, and is excited to work at an organization that reuses restaurant waste, and a vital natural resource, to help create a more resilient coastal ecosystem.

Surey I. Miranda Alarcón, Hatillana, 2006-2007 Puerto Rico FFA State President, Producto UPR, and Bronx resident. Surey pursued higher education at the University of Puerto Rico, transitioning from Arecibo to Río Piedras, where she earned a Bachelor's in Political Science. During her last university years she worked in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Puerto Rico House of Representatives. Her academic journey continued at The New School University, achieving a Master’s in Economics. Surey's career, deeply influenced by her upbringing and education, has been dedicated to addressing inequality and enhancing access to information. In New York she worked at the Center for Puerto Rican Studies with different Puerto Rican communities across the 50 states. She then worked in the New York Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs, the New York City Commission on Human Rights, and the Mayor’s Community Affairs, under the administration of Mayor Bill De Blasio. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Surey served in key roles in the Vaccine Command Center, ensuring equitable access to information and distribution of COVID-19 test, and vaccines. She led the distribution of over 3 million facemasks and PPE in the Bronx. She is the co-founder and chair of the organization Diaspora for Puerto Rico, created after Hurricane María to support Puerto Ricans arriving in New York. She is a professor of economics at the State University of New York and works as the Director of Campus and Community Engagement for Fordham University. At Fordham, Surey has been key in strengthening the institution’s commitment and partnership with neighboring communities, which led to the creation of Fordham in Community, a coalition of over 40+ organizations working in coordination to attract more resources and create capacity in the immediate vicinity. Thanks to partnerships and coalition efforts, Fordham University was able to receive a $50 million grant for environmental projects in EPA Region 2. Many organizations and communities in New York and Puerto Rico will benefit from this initiative that seeks to bring resources to communities affected by climate change. Her greatest passion is building coalitions and uplifting the work of communities, and she strives to inform public policy to ensure equality of opportunities.
VIEW THE PRESENTATION HERE

Communities understand their needs best but still need resources, partnerships, and expertise to turn their visions into reality. This session will highlight examples of work that involves uplifting community knowledge, building skills, forming partnerships, planning projects, and redistributing resources to ensure we’re creating stronger, healthier, and economically resilient communities.

LOCATION: Eisner & Lubin Auditorium

Dr. Mark L. Botton is Professor of Biology (Emeritus) in the Department of Natural Sciences at Fordham University – Lincoln Center in New York City. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Stony Brook University, his Master’s degree in Biology from Brooklyn College, and his Ph.D. in Zoology from Rutgers University. Botton has published over 70 articles and book chapters on various aspects of horseshoe crab biology, including feeding ecology, mating behavior, the effects of pollution on developmental success, and population and conservation biology. For the past 12 years, he has collaborated with the NY Bird Alliance, Kingsborough Community College, and others on citizen science projects on horseshoe crabs in Jamaica Bay, Brooklyn. He is Co-Editor of three books, “Biology and Conservation of Horseshoe Crabs,” Changing Global Perspectives on Horseshoe Crab Biology, Conservation and Management,” and “International Horseshoe Crab Conservation and Research Efforts: 2007- 2020,” all published by Springer. Botton is the Co-Chairman of the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) Horseshoe Crab Specialist Group, which advocates for the science-based conservation of horseshoe crabs and their essential spawning and nursery habitats.

Dr. Grace Sanvictores is currently the Middle School Director at Hudson Montessori School in NJ. Prior to this, she was an Educational Technology, Math and Science teacher for middle school students. She holds a Master’s degree in Supervision and Administration in Education, is a National STEM certified teacher, and is a doctoral graduate from Saint Peter’s University. Her dissertation research focused on STEM integration and implementation and its effects in high poverty urban areas. Her mission includes inspiring her students to be change-makers, to use the acquisition and power of knowledge to make their world a better place, and to give back to their local, national, and global communities. She is a co-lead STEM educator at the first nationally STEM Certified campus in New Jersey, a certified National Geographic Educator, and a Captain for the New Jersey Google for Educators Group. Dr. Grace Sanvictores has presented at the New Jersey Science Convention on the integration of Biochemistry and Data Literacy, at the New Jersey Montessori Association Convention, and at the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). Dr. Sanvictores' work focuses on integrating STEAM with Citizen Science, exploring hands-on applications in data literacy, environmental science, and collaborative scientific inquiry.

Olivia Smith serves as the Park-as-Lab Coordinator for Randall’s Island Park Alliance. With a master’s degree in biology with a focus in plant ecology, she oversees eight continuous biological monitoring projects that shed light on the natural areas of Randall’s Island. These projects encompass a range of surveys, including water quality assessments, fish population studies, pollinator observations, and bird monitoring. Collaborating with various organizations, school groups, and community members, Olivia collects, analyzes, and disseminates data to enhance public understanding of how park management fosters biodiversity and accessibility. In addition to her monitoring work, Olivia leads the Working Apprentice through Estuarine Research for Students (WATERS) internship, which supports underrepresented college and high school students in marine studies while helping them develop professional skills. Her vision is to further advance the Park-as-Lab program, increasing community engagement and providing access to the information gathered by citizen scientists. By establishing strong networks within the community, Olivia aims to make scientific knowledge accessible to all, promoting a deeper connection between people and the park.

Eliana Abrams is a Brooklyn-based interdisciplinary scientist working as a Research Assistant & Diver at City Island Oyster Reef, where she conducts research to restore New York’s historical oyster population. Her role leverages hands-on oyster restoration, water quality & biodiversity monitoring, and community engagement & education to create a sustainable restoration initiative for City Island. With a background working in biotech and biodesign and an interdisciplinary degree in "The Intersection of Art and Science" from NYU Gallatin, she bridges science, design, and ecology to bring a diverse perspective to environmental work. In addition to her work with CIOR, Eliana works at Neochromosome, a biotech company, and volunteers with organizations focused on coastal restoration. Her passion lies in using science and design to create holistic coastal restoration initiatives as nature-based solutions for climate resiliency.

Christina Carrero has served as the Urban Waters Ambassador for the Bronx and Harlem Rivers location since 2022. Her relevant experience includes conservation research, science communication, environmental education, and environmental policy. Prior to her work as ambassador, Christina was a Research Assistant at The Morton Arboretum in Chicago, Illinois where she conducted IUCN Red List Assessments for tree species globally. This work allowed her to receive a National Geographic grant to develop and conduct Red List training workshops in South East Asia. Christina has Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Denison University and a Master’s of Science degree in Environmental Policy from Bard College where she completed her thesis on understanding participatory planning, using the Bronx River Greenway as a case study. In her free time, Christina enjoys cooking and crocheting.
VIEW THE PRESENTATION HERE

HEP is committed to recognizing the importance of actionable science, and the sharing of data and research to improve understanding, stewardship, and decisions. Through community science programming, we make data and science more accessible to communities to feel empowered in the face of climate change and increase ownership over projects in their neighborhood. This session will explore how organizations are engaging the residents through community science programming and share resources and lessons learned for developing and sustaining these programs.

LOCATION: Room 905/907

Tanja Grzeskowitz, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

Willis Elkins is the Executive Director of the Newtown Creek Alliance, a community based organization dedicated to revealing, restoring, and revitalizing Newtown Creek - an industrial superfund waterway that borders Western Queens and North Brooklyn. Since joining NCA in 2013, Willis has developed and overseen a number of the key organizational programs related to public programming, water quality monitoring, ecological restoration, planning, community partnerships, and public access. Willis is also co-chair of the Newtown Creek Superfund Community Advisory Group (CAG) the entity responsible for engaging with EPA and responsible parties on the Superfund cleanup of the waterway.

Terrance Bankston is the Senior Ports and Freight Campaigner at FOE’s Oceans and Vessels Program, directing organizing, coordination, and advocacy efforts in the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and Northwest regions to reduce air pollution from port and freight activity. Terrance has worked with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and Clean Water Action. Terrance led an Environmental Justice campaign, defeating Amazon and the NY/NJ Port Authority. Terrance serves as the New Jersey Environmental Justice representative on the New York – New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program (NYNJHEP) Management Committee. Terrance, a New Jersey native, earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and a Master’s Degree in Administrative Sciences from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Terrance was recognized in 2008 by Ebony magazine as one of the top USA 30 leaders under 30.
VIEW THE PRESENTATION HERE

The extent of impervious surfaces in and around port facilities impacts residents, port workers, and water quality. Greening these areas inside and outside of the port facilities can help manage stormwater and mitigate heat island and possibly air quality and noise impacts, while providing an amenity for overburdened communities and workers in and around port facilities. This panel will discuss the opportunities and challenges of advancing tree and rain garden planting, and their maintenance, from the perspective of community-based organizations, technical service providers, and port operators.

LOCATION: Room 405/406

Katrina Angarone, Chief Strategy Officer, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s (NJDEP), advances strategic initiatives, including expanding public access to environmental information, increasing the visibility of NJDEP programs and services, cultivating external partnerships and coordinating strategic planning on cross-media issues. She also oversees the efforts of the Office of Legislative Affairs and Office of Environmental and Public Health Analysis. Kati has worked at NJDEP for more than 25 years. She previously served as Assistant Commissioner for Watershed and Land Management (WLM), overseeing the Division of Watershed Protection & Restoration, the Division of Land Resource Protection and the Division of Resilience, Engineering & Construction. As WLM’s leader, she focused on advancing watershed initiatives, including integration of New Jersey-specific climate change science into watershed policy. The post followed a term as Associate Commissioner for Science & Policy, where she managed science, environmental health and economic analysis programs, while developing policy protective of New Jersey’s environment and public health. Earlier, Kati spent several years focused on water policy, including the adoption of new drinking water standards, which involved first-in-the-nation PFAS standards and water supply emergency response. More than half of her DEP career was spent assisting with the development of New Jersey’s state land use policies, including stormwater management, habitat protection, flood hazard area controls and protection of the Highlands region. A passionate advocate of the environment, Kati is dedicated to NJDEP’s mission to protect the environment and public health in service to the people of New Jersey.

Chris Girgenti is an environmental professional with over a decade of experience in ecological restoration and non-profit programming in the NYC area. He currently serves as the Natural Areas Manager for the Randall's Island Park Alliance (RIPA), where he oversees the Waterfront Stewardship and Park-as-Lab programs. Chris is mission-driven in supporting RIPA's efforts to work with local communities to provide an innovative and exciting park experience supporting the wellbeing of all New Yorkers. Under Chris' leadership, the Waterfront Stewardship Program received EPA Region 2's Environmental Champion Award in 2017 for its programming focusing on K-12 education, volunteer stewardship, and public engagement of all ages. Chris also led the creation of RIPA's Park-as-Lab program, which facilitates community-based environmental research on Randall's Island and surrounding areas. In addition to programming, Chris oversees 20 acres of restored native habitats and 4.5 miles of coastline. He has a BA from Sarah Lawrence College and a master's degree in Environmental Management from Duke University's Nicholas School of the Environment.

Peter Weppler has been the Chief of Environmental Analysis Branch within the US Army Corps of Engineers-NY District’s Planning Division for over 10 years where he manages a diverse team of biologists, archeologists and physical scientists in administering programs investing in civil works and regional infrastructure improvements. As the Branch Chief, Peter is the Senior Subject Matter Expert on Civil Works environmental policy and compliance and is responsible for providing guidance to the project teams on several business lines including navigation, flood and coastal risk management and aquatic ecosystem restoration. He has over 32 years of experience in ecological investigations in the field of ecosystem restoration and flood and coastal storm risk management throughout the New York/New Jersey Bight.

Jonathan Kramer, Ph.D., is the President and CEO of the Hudson River Foundation. He received a B.S. at the University of Massachusetts, M.S. at SUNY Stony Brook and Ph.D. at the University of Maryland. Over the course of his career, he was on the research faculty of the Center of Marine Biotechnology in Baltimore, MD, Director of the Maryland Sea Grant College Program, and Director for Interdisciplinary Science at the National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (University of Maryland). His interests include understanding and improving approaches that link science to decision-making in the environmental arena, the development and use of effective practices to help interdisciplinary teams of scientists and others work effectively together and efforts that foster organizational development, strategic planning and management to strengthen science-based organizations.
LOCATION: Eisner & Lubin Auditorium

Hudson River Foundation