THE URBAN DIVERS ESTUARY CONSERVANCY

Waterfront Natural Resource Awareness Events, Youth and Adult Environmental Education thru Recreation Programs, Volunteer and Internship and Stewardship Opportunities.

Live! Beneath the Estuary- Live Underwater Video, Live Underwater Narration, Q&A with submerged divers. A multimedia presentation with audience participation that encompasses the arts and science, that aims to capture the public imagination for appreciation of the living nature of the natural resources of our urban estuary, as well as to raise public awareness to the human impact om marine wildlife.The Urban Divers underwater photographers and scientific divers, dive with a live video camera transmitting underwater images of to a surface monitor and or video projection. The submerged divers offer a narration about the environment observed. The audience on land has the opportunity to engage in a Q/A with submerged diver via underwater to surface communication system. The program is offered at various location througout NY/NJ Harbor Estuary. June thru Nov.

The Annual Gowanus Earth Day Flotilla Spring Clean-up- A clean water action event, that provides the community with a fun filled day of marine activities, info-tainment, environmental education and restoration initiative. The Urban Divers, community volunteers and other participating organizations; armed with landing nets, skiffs, canoes and kayaks, are guided on a tour to collect trash along the historical Gowanus Canal in this annual earth day clean water action event to raise awareness for the ecological restoration of the notorious Gowanus Canal. The annual event is a collaboration with The Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club. Earth Day Weekend.

Coney Island Creek Flotilla Spring Clean-up- a cleanwater action event to raise awareness to the creek that made Coney and Island . One of NYC's under appreciated natural resources. Come learn and explore, the Dreiyer Offerman Salt Marsh, its unique ship wreck valley, its sanctuary for migrating birds and more. Hundreds of horsecrabs migrate to the creek each sumer for their annual mating rituals. In collaboration with Neighborhood Improvement Organization and Friends of Kaiser Park, and other community groups.May.

Newtown Creek/Bushwick Inlet Waterfront Awareness Day- TBA

** (New)- Harlem River Awareness Day- Join us to explore and learn about the natural resources of one of the most scenic waterways along NY Harbor. Lots of fun activities for kids of all ages from 8 thru 98 years old. Arts & Craft in the Environment, Flying Fish Kite Contest, Fun and hands-on scientific tools kit lab , Live underwater video exploration, explore the Harlem River health check station and Harlem River Estuarium, Carnival rides, Petting Zoo , BBQ and more. This year on June 25th, in conjunction with Family Day. A collaboration with River Park Towers Tenant Association, Roberto Clemente State Park, Friends of Roberto Clemente State Park, at the Satellite Harlem River and Hudson North Marine Station and Environmental Education Center. Located at Roberto Clemente State Park and NYC Bridge Park. ( southern end of the park)

*** (New) - Meet The Urban Divers/Underwater Basketball Expo Game and Explore Scuba- a fun filled day of exciting pool side activities at Roberto Clemente State Park Pool. Urban Divers provide a demonstration of scientific diving activities, underwater video and photography, and more. Participate an in an underwater basketbal game in a 12 ft dive pool. Game is video taped and broadcasted at pool side for spectators and fans to get a close and personal perpsective of all of the underwater action. Parents and children get to explore scuba in the safe confinements of the pool.Usually the weekend after pool opening day. This year in second week in July. TBA

Annual Project AWARE International Underwater Clean-Up- Urban Divers Scientific Diver members and friends from the tri-state and abroad gather to help clean a body of water in the NYC area. Sept 15 or 16, or 21st.
Annual Submerge Art and Environment Festival-The festival showcases Films, videos, photography and environmental remediation exhibits produced by local and international artists that celebrates and/or raises public awareness about our fragile aquaitic environments, all genres. Festival is presented at various venues and communities through out the NYC at traditional screening and exhibit venues as well as, outdoors screenings, and public art /video installations.. We are now accepting submissions. Usually June thru Nov.
Eco-Cruise Series- Discover NY/NJ Harbor Hidden Estuaries- A series of guided tours on The Urban Divers volunteer monitoring vessels Clean Water NY and "Gowanus Monitors II" to explore, to learn, rediscover and reclaim the natural resources of NY/NJ Harbor's hidden estuaries. The tours are dedicated to capture the imagination of local resident community and extended communities for the restoration , protection and revitalization of our urban estuary. Gowanus Monitor II was co-manufactured with The Urban Divers with the additional support from RED HOOK BOATS Co.- Manufacturer of Custom Fiberglass boats and Fiber Glass Boat repairs. Red Hook Boats Co. also supported UD in the restoration of the " CleanWater". Red Hook Boats was located at the Brooklyn Ship Yard now slated for an IKEA Box Store and Warehouse. Usually from June through October.
Gowanus Oktoberfest- End of season celebration of Gowanus Canal Public Activities. Fund filled day of marine actitivities, info-tainment, guided paddle eco-cruises, boat race with prizes, a gourmet meal with guest chef, author and local bridge operator Lenny " The Chicken Man" Thomas. Seasonal data gathered from UD's Gowanus Monitor Project is presented. The event is also in collaboration with the Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club. Mid October
National Estuaries Day- A national event dedicated to raise public awareness for the restoration, conservation and protection of our estuarine ecosystems- collaboration with and organized by the NY/NJ Harbor Estuary Program. Mid Sept
Youth and Adult Estuary Education

Estuary Ecology Field Trips and Workshops- Fun field trip opportunities for school groups and community youth groups and adult groups. Explore UDEC project sites and receive a fresh perspective on the history, ecology and human impact of the local urban estuary. Through this environmental education through recreation program participants learn basic characteristics of the local estuary while working along side trained staff and members scientists and participate in fun and hands-on scientific investigations, exploration and discovery activities. The program is designed to accommodate the various needs of participants. March thru Nov. The programs extends into a summer youth program that begins in July, will also extend to a *New After School Program- in Development).

NY/NJ Harbor Estuary Monitor Project:- Trained and experienced Scientific Divers, Waterways Stewards, Ciitizens monitors and member scientist, with community volunteers conduct frequent cruises along the NY/NJ Harbor Estuary to various UDEC project sites to monitor water quality, fish and aquatic bird species, and to conduct pollution patrols. Volunteer help check fish traps, conduct water quality sampling, as well as conduct video and or photography documentation. This tours are offered aboard our fleet of skiffs, and volunteer conservation vessels. To volunteer, send us an email with contact info. On-going. Current project sites. Jamaica Bay, Coney Island Creek, Arthur Kill and Elizabeth River, Gowanus Canal, East River, Bushwick Inlet, Newtown Creek, Harlem River, Hudson River, Flushing Bay to Long Island Sound, Bronx River, Flushing Creek, Weschester Creek.

***Other: Annual Member Volunteers Training and Orientation: Free and moderate fee workshops for members:

  • Dive Safety
  • Boat Safety and Operations
  • Environmental Educator Training
  • Underwater Videography and Photography
  • Scuba Training Referrals
  • CPR/First Aid Certification Training (also offered to the general public)

*** NEW Summer and Afterschool Programs: Youth Environmental Education Through Recreation.

  • Peer to Peer Environmental Educator Training Program- participants receive extensive training in marine environment conservation , boat safety and operations, Basic Boat Maintenance, CPR/First Aid, Basic Watermanship, Scuba Tehnology,and qualify to work as assistant environmental educator in UDEC's city wide summer youth and afterschool program, and receive a stipend. Participants also have the opportunity to compete for a scuba training scholarship. Participate in annual Underwater Basketball Expo Game and Explore Scuba. Program runs in the summer as a summer youth program and the fall/winter as an afterschool program.
  • Environmental Youth Intern Program- A one year paid internship program, where participants receive extensive training and participate in various aspect of UDEC activities and receive a stipend. Fall thru Summer.
  • Urban Marine Explorers/ EnviroMedia- Participants receive training in marine conservation, boat safety and operations, scuba technology, swimming and watermanship and participate in frequent boat trips to various sites along NY/NJ Harbor Estuary and work along site trained staff educators, citizens monitors, stewards and project scientists and participate in fun scientific exploration and discovery activities. They also learn basic video production and documentary script writting. They engage in a community service project and produce a video about an environmental issue learned through the course of the program. July.
  • Teachers Training Workshops - a water based marine environmental education program for Middle and HS School Teachers. Register today. Sept
  • These Youth Environmental Education Through Recreation programs are currently offered only at Gowanus/Redhook Satellite Marine Station and Harlem River and Hudson River North Satellite Marine Station. For more info and availabilty of programs please send email at urbandivers@urbandivers.org, or call 718-802-9874, 718-901-3331.