The Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club is a volunteer organization dedicated to providing waterfront access and education about our estuary and shoreline neighborhoods. Our organization was founded in 1999 and our homeport is at 165 2nd Street on the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn, NY. Activities are conducted on the canal and neighboring waterfront communities of Red Hook, Sunset Park and Brooklyn Heights. In addition, our 501(c)3 runs Activity Committees on the Long Island City, Red Hook, and Staten Island shorelines.

The Dredgers work to ensure participants of our programs develop an understanding of the NY & NJ harbor as a resource for recreation and education as well as a waterway for commuters, tourists and movement of goods. As people experience and enjoy our waterway they become advocates for its revitalization. These efforts are proving to be fruitful as recent legislation has provided funding and the EPA Superfund cleanup is underway in part, due to the rise in popularity of paddling on the Gowanus Canal. Help us ensure that as our waterfront is cleaned, accommodations are provided to allow for safe access on and off the water.

All of the Gowanus Dredgers facilities, equipment and funding are used to accommodate and activate the use of our waterfront and to educate the community about our estuary. Our organization runs an array of events throughout the year including casual voyages on the waterway, tours led by volunteer staff, organizing and participating in waterfront festivals, conducting lectures at schools and public forums and advocating in the community and at public meetings. Volunteers in our programs have monitored the health of oysters and sea grass that naturally clean the water. All Dredgers’ activities and workshops are open to the public and membership in the organization is not required to participate in most activities. In addition, our facilities and services are available to the public to launch canoes, rowboats and kayaks.