With the help of the New York-New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program (HEP), dozens of communities in New York and New Jersey will host their own City of Water Day events that celebrate the importance of a resilient and equitably shared waterfront. From free kayaking to rowing to hands-on workshops, these independently-produced events offer community members opportunities to access and engage with their local waterfront.

This year’s theme centers on expanding the capacity of New York and New Jersey communities to address climate change—in particular communities that are disadvantaged or underserved. City of Water Day will feature stewardship organizations that are raising awareness about the risk we all face from sea level rise and climate change, and exploring ways we can build the adaptive capacity of our ecosystems and communities. By engaging the public in the benefits of habitat restoration, water infrastructure, green infrastructure, stormwater management, and other efforts that prioritize climate resilient solutions, we are collectively creating a more resilient New York and New Jersey Harbor. And like every year, we are eager to work with our partners in neighborhoods across the estuary to uplift work that advances equitable access to the waterfront and educates the next generation of climate leaders.