City of Water Day 2025: Stronger Together on Brighton Beach!

On Saturday, July 12, the waves rolled in, the sun shone bright, and Brighton Beach buzzed with energy as over 100 local residents, students, and beachgoers gathered to join the American Littoral Society and the National Wildlife Federation partners for City of Water Day—a region-wide celebration of our waterfronts and a powerful reminder that we are Stronger Together in the face of climate change.

City of Water Day is organized by the Waterfront Alliance, with support from the NY/NJ Harbor Estuary Program, and is a free citywide, family-friendly celebration of our shared shorelines across NYC. This year’s theme, Stronger Together, focused on the strength of connected communities—whether it’s checking on a neighbor during a heatwave or collaborating on long-term climate resilience strategies.

Across New York and New Jersey, events highlighted local ecosystems, climate risks, and the power of unity. Here on Brighton Beach in Brooklyn, the American Littoral Society and the National Wildlife Federation’s Resilient Schools and Communities (RiSC) Program hosted our joint Coastal Encounters & Climate Conversations event which brought this year’s City of Water Day theme to life.

---

Our event invited visitors of all ages to roll up their sleeves, dip their toes into the surf, and discover the vibrant marine life right off our shores. One of the day’s most exciting activities was a guided seining session on the shore. Using a net stretched between two poles, we waded into the littoral zone to catch a glimpse of the creatures swimming just under the surface.

​Some of the fishy highlights were a windowpane flounder, showing off its translucent, pancake-flat body. A sleek needlefish with a long, pointed snout, and plenty of energetic Atlantic silversides, shimmering in the sunlight. Participants learned how to identify these fish, why they’re important to the local ecosystem, and how climate change could alter their habitat in the years to come.

Beyond fish facts, attendees also joined in on an interactive sea level rise activity visualizing how Brighton Beach might change in the future due to rising seas and stronger storms. These hands-on experiences sparked thoughtful, action-oriented conversations about community resilience and local climate solutions. We explored questions like:

• What can we do to protect our shoreline?
• How can neighbors support each other during extreme weather?
• What role can young people play in creating a climate-ready future?

The goal wasn’t just to inform, but to empower—and judging by the enthusiasm on the sand, we did just that. This impactful day wouldn’t have been possible without the collaboration and support of National Wildlife Federation’s RiSC Program (@riscnyc1), NYC parks for allowing us to coordinate this event on the beach, and program support from the Waterfront Alliance and the NY/NJ Harbor & Estuary Program.

Together, we created a space where learning met fun, and science met community. We’re incredibly grateful to all the volunteers, educators, and families who joined us on the beach.
City of Water Day may be over, but the movement continues! Stay connected, stay curious, and stay active in protecting and celebrating our coastlines. Visit cityofwaterday.org to find out how you can get involved year-round.

Remember: We’re stronger together—on the beach, in the classroom, and across our waterfront communities.

---