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Seaweed City is a nonprofit organization that grows seaweed along New York City’s coastline to clean our water, rebuild marine ecosystems, and support coastal resilience.
We strive to use seaweed to transform New York City’s coastlines into a more resilient, healthy, and regenerative ecosystem and raise public awareness about the vibrant world under the surface.
We build gardens so all New Yorkers can connect with nature, contribute to climate adaptation solutions, and expand community consciousness beyond the water’s edge.
We work to renew and recover from prior environmental damages with minimal interventions, while ensuring community-based organizations with waterfront access have the knowledge and tools to grow seaweed for years to come.
Our research is freely available to improve our collective, public understanding of how to grow regenerative seaweed in urban environments.
We are building a decentralized network of seaweed gardens across New York City that serve as aquaculture laboratories, environmental classrooms, and blue infrastructure.
We work with environmental science schools, aquaculture specialists, landscape architects and climate scientists to evaluate kelp’s ability to combat environmental degradation and the effects of climate change.
We empower New York City residents to connect with nature, step into their role as environmental stewards, and expand community consciousness to the world beyond the water’s edge.
We work with local schools and universities to develop practical skills-building and training programs for local residents to help them prepare for careers in aquaculture and marine ecology.
We use seaweed as an inexpensive nature-based infrastructure solution that can dissipate wave energy, support living shorelines, and act as a buffer against ocean acidification.
We unite artists, architects, scientists, educators, strategists, naturalists, and community leaders together into a dynamic team with a shared commitment to care for New York City’s coastal communities above and below the waterline, while empowering New Yorkers to actively shape climate adaptation solutions together.
Shanjana is an artist, activist, and sea farmer. Her love of the water began in Chittagong, Bangladesh where she was born and has led her to wild swimming, aquaculture, and advocating for cleaner water, living and resilient shorelines. She received her MFA from the University of Pennsylvania and she studied biology and painting at Southern Methodist University. Her art practice is research based and spans drawings, videos and installations. Currently, her work centers the water. She has worked as a Scenic Artist for the TV and Film industry as a member of Local USA 829, in production stages all over the city, often along industrial waterfronts.
Luke is a designer, fabricator and aquaculturist working in urban ecology with more than 15 years of experience building projects in New York City. He studied art at Oberlin College and architecture at Parsons School of Constructed Environments. For many years he worked at a fabrication shop on the banks of Newtown Creek where he learned to appreciate all the life that exists in the city’s overlooked waterways. Luke’s current work is focused on zero waste and urban aquaculture. You can find him outside with his fellow New Yorkers, probably on a bike or on a boat.
Nina is a civic-minded entrepreneur with more than a decade of experience in strategy, project management, stakeholder engagement, and communications. Known for her collaborative approach, she has built a career bringing communities and organizations together to deliver innovative solutions to address complex urban challenges — work that has helped Seaweed City expand its reach and impact. Before joining Seaweed City, Nina served as Director of Social Impact Communications at Shared Value Media and Program Director at F.Y. Eye, leading campaigns focused on economic justice, early literacy, and more. A proud New Yorker and parent, Nina is committed to building a resilient, equitable, and joyful future for her hometown.
The Seaweed City Board brings diverse perspectives, broad access, deep institutional knowledge, innovative thinking, strong systems management, effective communications, financial support, and scientific expertise that are critical to our growth and success.
Hudson River Park Trust
Vice President, Estuary and Education
Anaplan
Principle Program Manager, Portfolio Operations
Ocean Conservation Specialist
LaGuardia Community College
Student
Deloitte
Sustainability Strategy Consultant
Newtown Creek Alliance
Executive Director
The Clean Fight
Associate Marketing Manager
Brooke Havlik Communications
Owner
Lazard
Vice President of Accounting and Finance
Public Works Partners
Business Development Executive
Collaborator
Cornell Cooperative Extension Suffolk Project in Aqauaculture Training
Columbia University Climate School
Senior Director, Global Impact Lab
RPI under contract with NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science
Marine Geospatial Analyst
Edible SchoolYard NYC
Senior Manager of Development Operations
Seaweed City works with advisors across marine science, ecology, industry, art, and education to ensure our programs are grounded in expertise and connected to the latest innovations
Seaweed City co-builds seaweed gardens with community organizations and boat clubs across New York City’s waterways, and partners with cross-sector stakeholders to advance seaweed innovation in science, industry, and beyond.
Join us in reviving New York Harbor and reimagining our connection to the water’s edge. By supporting community-powered seaweed gardens, you help care for New York City’s underwater gardens and equip local communities to contribute to climate adaptation solutions. Every contribution makes a difference.
We welcome gifts of all sizes - but gifts of $500 or more include the opportunity to dedicate a kelp line in your name or in your honor to someone you love.
Seaweed City is a nonprofit organization that grows seaweed along New York City’s coastline to clean our water, rebuild marine ecosystems, and support coastal resilience.
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