canal nest colony










	FEBRUARY 2010 We've been busy meeting & chatting with the Gowanus Canal Conservancy and the New York City Audubon society in preparation for an even bigger year in 2010. We'll be unveiling a new birdhouse aimed at a population of native birds with diminishing numbers, and will likely be expanding beyond simply bird & bat habitats. More information to come. Thanks for the continued interest, effort, and support. DECEMBER 2009 This past year we managed to install many more habitats than we thought possible along the Gowanus with the help of Andy Simons of the Gowanus Canal Conservancy. As more attention turns towards the canal, even more is possible next year. SEPTEMBER 2009 We're happy to announce that we've gained a few team members, and we're also partnering with the Gowanus Canal Concervancy in our new phase of habitat installations. Thanks for the support on August 22, and if you'd like to get involved with the next workday (in October 2009), please contact the Conservancy. As part of the new phase, we've been working on habitats for bats, more bluebirds, kestrels, and screech owls. We will likely not be building additional homes for purple martins, as we understand the area isn't necessarily ideal. Additionally, we are taking extra precautions to prevent starling nesting, as they are an exotic-invasive species.





	The Gowanus Canal, a relic left behind from Brooklyn’s industrial shipping history, is also a significant natural bird habitat. Canal Nest Colony is a series of installations to both provide nesting locations for several species of birds (and other winged animals) as well as highlight the diverse, beautiful aquatic fracture that remains here today. This project is created with salvaged materials and additionally involved the planting of several trees.











	Please click HERE to see a gallery of the process of this project (during its first phase), from brainstorming to installation.








	Luckily, there has been increased attention and awareness about the importance and significance of the canal in recent years. Zoning changes are on the way, which may or may not help with the appreciation of the canal as a natural habitat. Tragically, harmful toxins are still in the water, and quite visible.

	For additional resources, please visit these sites: NestWatch at Cornell Detailed information on bird boxes, bird species, and with the ability to register as a bird nest watcher. Gowanus Canal Conservancy A nonprofit dedicated to working hard for the Gowanus community and environment. The Brooklyn Center for the Urban Environment, This organization runs many urban ecology programs in Brooklyn and beyond. The Gowanus Canal Dredgers Canoe Club, A major activist for bringing the city's attention back to the canal, and has an active boat launch area.




	For any additional information, please contact info [at] thiscityismine.com.


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