Mannahatta! Natural Jungle to Urban Jungle

Did you know that in 1609, just before Henry Hudson sailed into New York harbour and up the Muhheakantuck River (the Lenape Indian name for the estuary later named for Hudson --"muhheakantuck" means "river that flows both ways"), Manhattan was covered in lush temperate forests, gurgling springs, beaver meadows, and the occasional Indian settlement (computer-generated photo, above right!)? Any city dweller with a passion for nature will find the research of Dr. Eric Sanderson (Wildlife Conservation Society) into the nature of New York City before Europeans arrived absolutely intoxicating. Teachers will find a wealth of curricular materials for their classrooms!