Watch Take Back the Harbor

"Take Back the Harbor" is a documentary film that follows a group of individuals who set out to restore the polluted New York Harbor to its former glory. Directed by Kristi Jacobson and Roger Ross Williams, the film premiered on Discovery Channel in 2018 and highlights the effects of pollution on marine life, as well as the impact that community-led initiatives can have on revitalizing the environment.

The film begins by establishing the importance of the New York Harbor, which was once one of the most biodiverse and thriving ecosystems in the world but has since been heavily polluted due to industrialization, sewage overflow, and other human activities. The documentary then introduces us to the various activists, scientists, and volunteers working to improve the health of the harbor.

One of the main focuses of the film is the Billion Oyster Project, an initiative launched by the New York Harbor School that aims to restore oyster reefs in the harbor. Oysters are filter feeders, which means they can remove large amounts of pollutants from the water. Through the project, students and volunteers have been cultivating oysters and deploying them in strategic locations around the harbor, with promising results.

We also meet members of the Harbor Estuary Program, a group of scientists and experts who are working to monitor and improve the water quality of the harbor. They conduct regular surveys of the water and its inhabitants, analyzing samples for contaminants and observing the behavior of marine life.

The documentary also acknowledges the role of grassroots activism in bringing attention to the pollution of the harbor. We hear from residents of nearby neighborhoods who have been negatively impacted by the pollution in terms of health, economy, and quality of life. Their voices have helped to raise awareness and mobilize a movement for change.

Throughout the film, we see the progress that has been made in restoring the harbor, but also the obstacles that stand in the way. For example, funding remains a challenge, and there is pushback from some commercial interests that are resistant to changes that may impact their bottom line. However, the film ultimately provides a message of hope, showing that collective action can make a difference in even the most daunting environmental challenges.

Overall, "Take Back the Harbor" is a inspiring and informative documentary that sheds light on an important issue facing New York City and the world at large. By following the efforts of those working to restore the harbor, the film provides a blueprint for how communities can come together to protect the environment and preserve our natural resources.