The Urban Divers Estuary Conservancy, Gowanus/Red Hook South Brooklyn Harbor Marine Field Station & Enviromedia Mobile, Harlem River Ecology Center, Hudson River North Marine Field Station, and Centre for Environmental Education, Community Stewardship, Culture and Maritime present . . .

Rediscover the Gowanus Canal, Gowanus Bay & Erie Basin

Throughout the 18th century, ships transporting goods from our vital estuary, sailing from the Erie Canal traversed down the Hudson River (Great Muhicannituk), turned into the U.S. Shipping Canal (Harlem River/Great Muscoota), down the East River bound for the Gowanus Canal and Erie Basin, where some of the ships would end their journey and berth for the winter. Join us for an exciting guided ecocruise along the historic and notorious GOWANUS CANAL, GOWANUS BAY and ERIE BASIN, where General George Washington sailed during a historic bloody battle with the British, and where oysters once grew the size of dish plates. Get a new perspective view of Ikea from the water. Receive a fresh perspective on the history and ecology of the waterway, explored by our experienced and enthusiastic environmental educators. Ecocruises are held aboard our unique 32-foot indian shipping canoe that accomodates 21 paddlers at a time.

This eco-cruise is held in conjunction with the 9th Annual Hudson River Ramble, in collaboration with the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, the Hudson River Valley Greenway and the Hudson River Estuary Program, NYDEC.

UDEC program is made possible in part with the support of the Hudson River Foundation, the Office of Senator Velmanette Montgomery, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Office of Councilwoman Helen Diane Foster, Office of Assemblyman Bill Colton, Office of Councilman Charles Baron, NY State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Partnership for Parks, RY Management, City Park Foundation, along with the generous support of MEMBERS and COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS like you.