Peconic Land Trust and Natural Areas Conservancy Team Up on Water Quality Talk with Dr. Eric Sanderson

Dr. Sanderson's Welikia project the inspriation for discussion on water quality for New York City to Long Island hosted by Richard Brockman and Mirra Bank at their historic home, The Playhouse

On Saturday, September 23, Richard Brockman and Mirra Bank graciously hosted the Peconic Land Trust and the Natural Areas Conservancy at the Playhouse, their historic home in East Hampton, for a presentation and discussion on coastal wetlands from New York City to the East End – an issue of importance throughout the region and the world. The evening’s spotlight was a presentation by Dr. Eric Sanderson, Senior Conservation Ecologist at the Wildlife Conservation Society. His book Mannahatta and subsequent project Welikia, detail the natural history of New York City as they were in 1609 before European colonization. The projects are widely viewed as looking back at history to address the future.  

The Trust’s President and Founder, John v.H. Halsey joined with the NYC-based Natural Areas Conservancy’s Executive Director Sarah Charlop-Powers in welcoming the group, with introductions by David Rattray, editor of the East Hampton Star. Over 75 supporters of both organizations joined the evening, for discussions on conservation and the importance of protecting the precious natural resources of our communities and region.  

Guests included Harris Yulin, Barry Scheck and Dorothy Rick, Paul and Myrna Davis, Janet Ross, Toni Ross, Andy Feuerstein, Nancy Meyers, Gail Pellett, Stephan Van Dam, Audrey Flack, Clark Mitchell and David Lapham, Wendy Keys, Marit Larson and Adam Sobel, Michael Samuelian, Paul McIsaac

 About The Playhouse

The 1917 Woodhouse Playhouse at 64 Huntting Lane was part of the estate of Lorenzo Woodhouse, a Vermont banker and philanthropist. A grand Tudor building with a stage and formal gardens, it was presented to 16-year-old Marjorie Woodhouse, who was interested in the theater, by her parents. It became a center for the dramatic arts, a key piece of the cultural arts hub taking shape in the village, thanks to the Woodhouse family. The Brockman family has owned The Playhouse since 1958, shortly after Mrs. Woodhouse passed away. The Brockmans have honored and extended The Playhouse’s tradition of public access, performance and preservation work on behalf of the community ever since, in keeping with Mrs. Woodhouse’s vision. It is now the home of Richard Brockman and Mirra Bank.