During 2026 NYC Climate Week, please join us for Perspectives on Brooklyn's Evolving Working Waterfront on September 16, 2026 from 6 to 8 pm at the South Street Seaport Museum.

Brooklyn's waterfront has undergone a remarkable transformation over the last century, shaped by shifting industries, maritime commerce, environmental challenges, and community advocacy. Drawing on decades of experience across government, economic development, maritime transportation, and environmental leadership, panelists will explore how Brooklyn can balance a thriving working waterfront with ecological restoration, climate resilience, public access, and equitable economic growth.

The event will open with a presentation by Dan Wiley, District Director for Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, followed by a conversation with Nautilus' President, Bonnie A. Harken, and other key waterfront experts, urban planners, and advocates for a conversation on the policies, investments, and partnerships that have defined Brooklyn's shoreline and continue to influence its future. Please click here for more details and registration.

Pictured above: Sunset Park's Working Waterfront, Brooklyn, NY. Photo by Nautilus International, June 2026

 

Hunters Point North: Vision Plan for Resiliency was honored with the 2025 NYS Adaptation & Innovation Awards in the climate adaptation category. The award was presented by the NYS Adaptation Practitioners Network, a collaboration convened by Rebuild By Design and other leading climate organizations, to Nautilus International's clients the Long Island City Coalition and Hunters Point Community Coalition.

The Climate Action Plan for the historic Hudson River Village of Sleepy Hollow, NY was honored with the 2025 Planning Achievement Award from the Westchester Municipal Planning Federation. Nautilus developed an overall vision and detailed climate adaptation strategies, and teamed with VHB to help shape a more resilient future through a community-based planning process. Read more about the project…

South Battery Park City Resiliency Project, which Nautilus recently worked on as part of a consulting team headed by AECOM, will be honored with a Heroes of the Harbor award at the 2026 gala for the Waterfront Alliance. It achieved WEDG® (Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines) verification in December 2023. Click here to read the January 2024 article in WaterWire published by the Waterfront Alliance. In addition, the Battery Park City Authority reopened Robert F. Wagner, Jr. Park on July 29th, 2025. Read more…

 

"Building Better, Building Smarter: Opportunities for Design and Development" is a collaborative initiative by the AIA New York Chapter's Post-Sandy Initiative addressing the impacts of the storm and effects of future climate change on New York City.

The Post-Sandy Initiative of the New York Chapter of the American Institute of Architects was awarded the national 2014 AIA Institute Honors for Collaborative and Professional Achievement. As part of this effort, Nautilus' President, Bonnie A. Harken AIA & APA, co-chaired a multi-disciplinary working group on waterfront issues.

Awards & Industry Recognition

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Nautilus' work has been recognized for excellence throughout the years. Most recently, the Hunters Point North: Vision Plan for Resiliency was honored with the prestigious 2025 NYS Adaptation & Innovation Awards in the climate adaptation category and the Climate Action Plan for the historic Hudson River Village of Sleepy Hollow, NY was honored with a Planning Achievement Award from the Westchester Municipal Planning Federation in 2025.

Professional Activities

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Ms. Harken has served on numerous Boards and Committees, including on the New York City Mayor's Waterfront Management Advisory Board, where she represented the NY Metro Chapter of the American Planning Association.

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