NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — “This gets my seal of approval!” Mayor Eric Adams said on Thursday while sharing a video of a beached seal on Coney Island, and acknowledging his top climate aide and the state environmental department who helped return him to the ocean.
According to Adams, the seal was discovered by executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice Elijah Hutchinson, who called in experts from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
“After a quick checkup, they determined the seal was healthy and guided him back toward the water,” Adams said.
Hutchinson was named the office’s executive director following his time as vice president for waterfronts at the New York City Economic Development Corporation, where he led coastal resilience and new greenway initiatives.
At the time of Hutchinson’s appointment in September, Adams spoke highly of his ability to contribute to the office’s goal of dismantling environmental racism and building a cleaner and more sustainable city.
“Hutchinson has the skills and expertise we need in a leader of that fight. He will continue to innovate and activate in the fight against climate change, because he, like this administration, knows how to ‘Get Stuff Done,’” Adams said.
Following the rescue of the beached seal, the mayor reaffirmed the same sentiment.
“Our team will always go above and beyond to #GetStuffDone for New Yorkers — on land or on sea!,” Adams said.