The Urban Divers Estuary Conservancy

RESTORATION, CONSERVATION, PROTECTION, PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR THE NATURAL RESOURCES OF THE NY/NJ HARBOR ESTUARY

Scientific Divers, Environmental Educators, Waterway Stewards,Citizen Monitors
Scroll down for Current Event Bulletin and Season Schedule Updates

WHAT YOU CAN DO!

UDEC PROGRAMS
descriptions and other info.

BECOME A MEMBER- DIVERS AND NON_DIVERS WELCOME

VOLUNTEER

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY

SUPPORT THE URBAN DIVERS PROGRAMS: MAKE A DONATION
Founded in 1998, The Urban Divers is an independent registered non-profit grassroots environmental organization comprised of volunteer scientific divers, waterway stewards and citizen monitors committed to active participation in the public education, restoration, conservation, and protection of our rivers, oceans, and marine wildlife, with a special focus on restoration of the NY/NJ Harbor Estuary. UDEC works with communities challenged with environmental issues that impact the natural resources of their local urban estuaries. Through youth and adult environmental education through recreation programs, clean water action events, conservation support, stewardship opportunities, eco-cruise series, and various interactive multimedia arts and sciene presentations such as our annual Sumerge Art and Environment Festival and Live Beneath The Estuary, UDEC provides community members, teachers, students, civic leaders, local businesses, as well as the local press an opportunity to get on the water to appreciate the natural resources of our unique urban estuary. Our programs provide a tool, a resource, the basic science and the ecological vision to assist community members in becoming better informed and active participants in the stewardship of our local and regional waterfront resources. We aim to empower the individual to participate in the public policy decision making process that affects these local and regional natural resources. The Urban Divers Estuary Conservency also offers membership, volunteer stewardship, and internship opportunities.. Divers and Non-Divers are wecolme. UDEC works on various project sites throughout the NY/NJ Harbor Estuary. To find out how you can get involved as a volunteer or intern or to become a member, please email: Urbandivers@Urbandivers.org. or call 718-802-9874, or 718-901-3331 or click Become a Member link.

SPECIAL HIGHLIGHT PROGRAMS:

Live from the Bottom of the Estuary

Submerge- Art and Environment Festival (CALL FOR ENTRIES)

Estuary Ecology Field Trips and Workshops

Annual Gowanus Earth Day Flotilla Spring Clean-up

Volunteer Scientific Diving

Eco-Cruise Sunday: Discover NY/NJ's Harbor Hidden Estuaries

Gowanus Oktoberfest

National Estuary Day

Annual Project AWARE Int'l Underwater Clean Up

UDEC NY/NJ Harbor Estuary Monitor Project Sites

CURRENT EVENTS BULLETIN

*New Ancillary Educational Material Releases- Coming Soon! Edition II of "The Gowanus Canal... a Little Estuary that Flows in Brooklyn... A picture, fact not fiction, coloring book." Published by The Urban Divers, with additional support from the Hudson River Foundation, the Women's Press Collective. Photography by Mitsue Balan and Ludger K. Balan. Graphics by Yoko. To order a copy send us an email.

"NY/NJ Harbor Estuary Natives" Postcard Series-Beautifully captured images of the creatures from our local estuary. Selected from The Urban Divers spectacular photography collection of " Creatures and Features on NY/NJ Harbor Estuary," photographed by Ludger and Mitsue Balan. Published by The Urban Divers. Ludger and Mitsue's fine art photography has been exhibited in galleries in NYC, Paris, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Munich, Tokyo, Nara, Osaka, Vancouver, and the Caribbean for over a decade. To order a copy send an email to urbandivers@urbandivers.org. Postcards are distributed at UDEC's public events.

Creatures and Features of NY/NJ Harbor Estuary- an educational underwater video about the living features of our urban estuary a work-in- progress. A version of the video is available for screenin, with lecture at a school presentation or at UDEC workshop sites.

UDEC ACTIVITY Calendar 2005:

**QUICK UPDATER:

  • APRIL 19th thru MAY 2nd - Annual Estuary Ecology Field Trip and Workshop ( Gowanus Canal) with NY Harbor HS 9th Grade Class. ( click here for pics)
  • FRIDAY MAY 27th, 10 AM - ESTUARY ECOLOGY FIELD TRIP AND WORKSHOP- Jamaica Bay/Fresh Creek with 11 Grade Class at Sheepshead BAY HS.
  • JUNE - NY/NJ HARBOR ESTUARY MONITOR PROJECT BEGINS: Volunteer and work along trained staff stewards, scientific divers and project scientists and explore and rediscover the Harbors Hidden Estuaries. Frequesnt Boat Trips on various project sites. To volunteer call ph/fx 718-802-9874 ( South of the Harbor from Newtown Creek), or 718-901-3331 (North of the Harbor From Flushing Bay). or email urbandivers@urbandivers.org
  • SUN JUNE 12th thru JULY 17th - HARBOR HERON MONITOR PROJECT BEGINS. In partnership with NYC Audubon.
  • MAY/JUNE - GOWANUS CANAL FECAL COLLIFORM MONITOR PROJECT BEGINS . In partnership with AREAC, Brooklyn College. Monthly monitoring boat trips along the canal.
  • JUNE thru NOV - 2n Annual Bi- Weekly water quality monitoring on the Gowanus Canal. Monitor, Maintain and collect data from electronic remote water qualtiy monitoring systems. In partnership with the Department of Environmental Protecttion.
  • SATURDAY JUNE 4th- The Urban Divers at THE 11th ANNUAL RED HOOK WATERFRONT ARTS FESTIVAL- at BEARD STREET PIERS In RED HOOK.. Exhibit Tent, displays and more. Other activities. Drumming, Dancing and Arts and Crafts. www.dancetheatreetcetera.org. B61, B77.
  • JUNE 7th- Estuary Ecology Field Trip and Workshop- HARLEM RIVER and HUDSON RIVER NORTH- TBA
  • FRIDAY JUNE 10th, 3pm-8pm - The Urban Divers " BIO BLITZ" on the Bronx River. 24 hr Biodiversty documentation on the Bronx River, involing more than a dozen groups and hundreds of volunteer. Will have our conservation vessel and monitoring team. To volunteer call 718-802-9874, 0r 901-3331, or email
  • SATURDAY JUNE 11th, 10AM - Pre-Summer Youth Program Registrationa nd Open House.( HARLEM RIVER MARINE STATION- at NYC Bridge Park and Roberto Clemente State Park- Metro North to Morris Hts. Stops right at the Park). For more info an RSVP call 718-901-3331 or email urbandivers@urbandivers.org.
  • THURS JUNE 16th, 6PM - Pre-Summer Youth Program Registration and Open House ( GOWANUS/REDHOOK), at PS 15, 71 Sullivan Street, RED HOOK. B61 to Sullivan St.
  • SATURDAY, SUNDAY JUNE 18th, JUNE 19th - The Urban Divers presents "LIVE! BENEATH THE HUDSON RIVER" - Live Underwater Video Exploration, LIve Underwater Narration, Q & A with Submerged Divers, at ANNUAL CLEARWATER FESTIVAL, at Croton on the Hudson. Look for our tent.
  • SATURDAY JUNE 25th- " The Urban Divers Celebrate the Harlem River on FAMILY DAY"- at Roberto Clemente State Park and NYC Bridge Park. See below for details.
  • ***COMING SOON!- SAT JULY 9th, 11am- "Meet The Urban Divers, Underwater Basketball Expo Game, Explore Scuba". UDEC scientific divers and underwater photographer demo scuba skills. You can try scuab, and play underwater basketball. See below for more info. At Roberto Clemente State Parks Pool. (on the Harlem River). To register your team, call 718-901-3331, or email
  • SAT JULY 16th- The Urban Divers "4th Annual SUBMERGE ART AND ENVIRONMENT FESTIVAL" CELEBRATES THE GOWANUS CANAL. Outdoor film screening showcasing several films about the Gowanus Canal made by local and international filmmakers, including a multimedia presentation of Live Underwater Video Exploration of what lies beneath the notorious and historic canal by The Urban Divers, will educational short films- " Contaminated Sediment- Problems and Solutions", After The Rain- Waste Discharge in our River". Festival is preceded with an free guided eco-cruise of the canal aboard The Urban Divers conservation motor boat and fleet row boats. In conjunction with annual 2nd Street Block Party. Begins at 1pm. Films screens at Sunset. AT 2nd and Bond and canal. F, G to Carrol Street. Exit at Second. Make left on smith, right on 2nd and walk to canal.
  • JULY 19th- Estuary Ecology Field Trip and Workshop with Battery PArk City Conservancy- Hudson River. TBA.

 

SAT April 23rd, RAIN DATE SUNDAY APRIL 24th, 5th Annual Gowanus Earth Day Flotilla Spring Clean-up. 11 am. (See below or click here for more details.)

Jan 12th, 19th- Estuary Ecology Workshop with High Bridge After School Program.

Jan 15th Thru February 27th- African American History in Maritime- In honor of Martin Luther King Day and Black History Month. Slide show and film screening series. Opens Sat January 15th. 2pm to 4:30, 5 pm to 7: 30 pm. Monday Jan 17th- 7pm to 9pm. Program will run thru Black History Month by reservation only. At satellite Harlem River and Hudson River Marine Station and Environmental Education Center.

Feb 10th, 11 am- UDEC presents African American History in Maritime- Slide Show and Film screening at Harbor School Assembly.

Feb 12th, 12pm - African American History in Maritime for The Cove.

Feb 28th, 10 am- African American History in Maritime for Moshulu Senior Citizen Center.

March 18, 19- Beneath the Sea- Meet The Urban Divers Estuary Conservancy, Display Booth 120, 122. www.beneaththesea.org

March 23rd, 6:30 PM- UDEC presents at CB 5- Activities at Harlem River/Hudson River North Marine Station

March 29th, 6: 30 PM-- UDEC presents at CB 6 Public Safety/Environment Committer-- Gowanus Canal- Environmental impact of current ongoing pollution issues on the Gowanus Canal and overview of its ongoing conservation support project on the site.

April 2nd thru April 8th- 11- 7pm- Harlem River Open House- We have recently established a satellite station on the Harlem River, The Harlem River and Hudson River North Marine Station. The center facilitates greater access to the northern portions of the NY Harbor Estuary--the Harlem River, Hudson River North, Bronx River South, Flushing Bay, Flushing Creek, etc. UDEC assists community residents to reclaim the natural resources of our waterfront through environmental education, conservation support and stewardhip opportunities. The space was donated by a state sponsored public housing facility and is located on the grounds of Roberto Clemente State Park and NYC Bridge Park, right on the Harlem River. Come and learn about the services we offer at this location, as well as about our city-wide conservation support programs, stewardship opportunities, youth and adult environmental education-through-recreation programs. Best Access- Metro North to Morris Hts, stops right at the park. Or take #4 to Burnside Ave, or D or B to Tremont Ave tranfer to BX 40, 42 for quick bus ride. Exit at the last stop. Enter park, walk to the water's edge, make a left, and walk south along the waterfront esplanade towards High Bridge. We are located beneath the last tower, Building 10. Tel 718-901-3331.

April 2nd UDEC presents at BEACON SLOOP CLUB, Beacon, NY- 8PM

April 11th- Youth Can Conference at American Museum of Natural History- UDEC Teen Intern Robert Davis Jr from HS of Excellence presents on Urban Estuary Ecology at Kauffman Theatre 11:20 am. Conference is hosted at the Hall of Oceans and begins at 9 AM. Made possible with additional support from Citizens For NYC.

APRIL thru MAY- Gowanus Canal Estuary Ecology Field Trips and Workshops with Harbor School. On water environmental education with hands-on and fun scientific investigation, exploration and discovery activities on UDEC project sites. Students work along side trained UDEC Stewards and scientist to learn about the ecoloy and history of our local urban estuary.

APRIL- Conservation Support Project on the Gowanus Canal in partnership with AREAC Brooklyn College begins.

April 22nd- UDEC presents at Bronx HS of Science Earth Day event (Cancelled)

Sat April 23rd, 11 am to 4pm- ( rain date Sun April 24th)-------- The 5th Annual Gowanus Earth Day Flotilla Clean-up- Join us for a fun-filled day of marine activities and infotainment on this annual clean water action event to raise awareness for the ecological restoration of the Gowansu Canal. Armed with a fleet of Urban Divers' skiffs, dredgers canoes, individual paddle crafts, and landing nets, eco-volunteers are guided on a tour to pick up floatable debris along the historic Gowanus Canal. Come learn, explore and help raise awareness for the ecological restoration and creation of community open space and waterfront access along the little estuary that flows in Brooklyn. HELP RECLAIM THE NATURAL RESOURCES OF OUR WATERFRONT. Food and Beverages will be served including BBQ gourmet farmed Tilapia courtesy of AREAC, Brooklyn College. Rendez-vous at 2nd and Bond and Canal. F, G to Carroll, exit at Second St., make left on Smith, right on Second, and walk to canal. To volunteer, contact The Urban Divers Estuary Conservancy at ph/fx 718-802-9874 or @ urbandivers@urbandivers.org. This event is made possible with additional support from North Fork Bank, Independence Foundation, NYC Environmental Fund.

APRIL 27th- UDEC presents at HARLEM RIVER PARK TASK FORCE meeting. (Postponed)

SAT APRIL 30th, 8PM- NYRA-HARLEM RIVER SCHOLASTIC INVITATIONAL REGATTA- first race 8 AM. Skulls, dorys built by local youth boat building institutions will participate in the race.- UDEC volunteers as water traffic and safety coordinators. Visit exhibits and displays at the Harlem River and Hudson River North Marine Station. View the race along the waterfront esplanade at Roberto Clemente State Park. Event is sponsored by NY Rowing Association, contact Jeff Gingold at 917- 865-3055, jgingold@nyrowing.org. (See directions above.)

SAT APRIL 30th- Bronx Youth Council at Bronx Community College- UDEC youth intern will host environmental workshop.

May 13th- UDEC presents at CUNY Conference " What Lies Beneath". Organized by UDEC member scientists Prof Nasreen Haque Phd, and Niloufar Haque Phd.

May 14th, 11 AM to 4PM-- ENVIRONMENTAL INTERNS DAY- Estuary Ecology Field Trips and Workshop, and Exhibit Tours with The Urban Divers. Made possible with additional support from Citizens For NYC.

May Annual Coney Island Creek Flotilla Clean-up - postponed in 2005. Due to Kaiser Park Construction.

May 19th- UDEC presents at Walton HS assembly.

June ??- Harlem River Bronx Greenway Support Project- Guided boat tour of Harlem River Waterfront. TBA

June- Eco-cruise Series- Discover NY/NJ Harbor's Hidden Estuaries-- Beginning-locations: around Governors Island, Harlem River, Hudson River North, Gowanus Canal, Gowanus Bay , Erie Basin, Henry Street Basin, Upper Bay along Sunset Park, Coney Island Creek, Jamaica Bay- Fresh Creek, Flushing Creek, Bronx River, Arthur Kill and Elizabeth NJ. TBA

JUNE 18th, 19th- Clearwater Revival at Croton on the Hudson- UDEC presents "Live Beneath the Hudson River"- Live Underwater Video Exploration, Live Underwater Narration, and Q and A with submerged divers. Presentation schedules will posted in UDEC Exhibit tent.

JUNE- HARBOR HERON SURVEY PROJECT- Partnership with Harbor Heron Conservation Committee. Brothers Islands. Exact dates TBA.

JUNE 25th, 11 am to 4 PM. - HARLEM RIVER AWARENESS and FAMILY DAY- Explore the natural resources of the scenic Harlem River on a fun-filled day of activities for the entire family. UDEC family activities include: Arts & Crafts in the Environment, Catch and Release Fishing, fun and hands-on interactive exhibits to learn about conservation, water quality monitoring,an Eco-Cruise of the Harlem River, kite flying. at Roberto Clemente State Park and NYC Bridge Park. Metro North to Morris Hts, stops right at the park, or #4 train to Burnside Ave, or D train to Tremont Ave, Transfer for a quick bus ride on BX 40, 42 to last stop, River Park Towers and Park. Sail, Canoe or Dive northbound or southbound down the Hudson to Harlem River.

July - SUBMERGE ART and ENVIRONMENT FESTIVAL begins- Showcases photography and film by reknown underwater photographers and other emerging artists, a dance performance "Sea Watchin," and Live Beneath the Estuary. Fundraising event for UDEC. At Pier 63 Maritime. Date and Time TBA.

July- Submerge Festival Celebrates the Gowanus Canal- Returning with a film screening on the Gowanus Canal. Films and videos made by local and international filmmakers about the Gowanus Canal. Date and Time TBA. Still accepting entries for films or video about the Gowanus Canal. Send email or call for more info. Future programs on Newtown Creek, Harlem River and other waterways.

July- UDEC Annual City-wide Summer Youth Program begins. Now accepting registrations. Call or email for our education program brochures. ph/fx 718-802-9874, 718-901-3331.

July 2nd- Meet The Urban Divers, Underwater Basketball Expo Game, Explore Scuba. At Roberto Clemente State Park Pool Opening. Metro North to Morris Hts, stops right at the park.

Sept- Governors Island Project

Sept- Annual Project Aware Underwater and Coastal Clean-up- location, date and Time TBA

Sept- After School Program Registration- TBA

Oct- Gowanus Oktoberfest- End of season festival on the Gowanus Canal. TBA

Oct- After School Program- Peer to Peer Environmental Educator Training Program Begins.

Oct- National Estuaries Day- location, date and time. TBA.

Jan/Feb- Winter Exhibits. Theme. TBA

SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE!. PLEASE RETURN TO CONFIRM.

SEEKING VOLUNTEERS! NY/NJ HARBOR ESTUARY MONITOR PROJECT- Frequent boats trips on NY Harbor, work along side trained staff , member scientists and other members on conservation support projects, pollution patrols and more. Explore our urban estuaries, learn something new, while haivng fun. Scienitific diving activities are performed by members only. Divers and non-divers welcome. If interested in volunteering please contact: The Urban Divers Estuary Conservancy GC Station at ph/fx 718-802-9874, HR Station at 910-3331, or email urbandivers@urbandivers.org

Thank You Friends and Supporters.

UDEC Programs are made possible with the support of NYC Environmental Fund, Hudson River Foundation, Project AWARE, Citizens from NYC, Independence Community Foundation, North Fork Bank, Harbor Estuary Program, Con Edison, River Park Towers RI Management, Councilwoman Helen Foster, Assemblyman Bill Colton, Senetor Velmanette Montgomery, Councilman Charles Baron, Assemblywoman Adele Cohen and the GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS and community volunteers like you, as well as with assistance from our community partners- Brooklyn Arts Council, Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club, River Project, River Keepers, West Harlem Environmental Action Network, NYC Environmental Justice Alliance, Battery Park City Conservancy, River Park Towers Tenant Association, Sustainable South Bronx, Harlem River Task Force, Newtown Creek Alliance, Barge Pals and Open Space Subcommittee, Friends of Kaiser Park, Neighborhood Improvement Association, YWCA, South Brooklyn Local Community Development Association, Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance, City Council Waterfront Committee, NYC Parks and Recreation- World's Fair Marina, Dykeman Marina and Tuby Hook Cafe, Roberto Clemente State Park, Partnership for Parks, NY State Park Police, New Yorkers For Parks, NYC Bridge Park, Falcon Works, John Doswell- Historic Ships and Preservation, Pier 63 Maritime, Bob Walters- BEZACH, Pete Seeger- Beacon Sloop Club & ClearWater, Harbor Estuary Citizen Action Committee, Inwood Hill Urban Park Rangers, Empire State Rowing Association, Redhook West Tenant Association, Harbor Heron Conservation Committee, AREAC- Brooklyn College. Become a member volunteer today or please make your tax deductible contribution... Together we can make a difference.

MATERIAL DONATION WISH LIST:

  • 150 gal and up fish tank
  • Pump
  • Skiffs- Jon Boats, V bottoms--16 ft and up
  • Small Outboard- 10-15hp
  • Gallery Pedestals
  • Oars, Paddles
  • Fishing Rod and Reels
  • Old Fish Net
  • Throw Rings
  • Life Jackets- Vest Styles only
  • Round Buoys
  • Paper (must be recycled)
  • Flat Screen TV Monitor
  • A photo frame- at least 78 inch wide (Horiz) and 44 inch tall (Vert)
  • Nautical Maps of NY Harbor, Long Island Sound
  • Bottom Paint
  • A carpenter for small art project
  • A small boat trailer, at least 16ft.
  • An Aluminum Welder for small repair project.
  • A lot space for winter storage of our motor boat. 27ft.
  • Waders
  • Ropes and Lineyard
  • A mobile construction site office trailer