Gowanus Canal Conservancy is a community-based environmental nonprofit that has served as steward of the Gowanus Canal watershed since 2006, receiving independent tax-exempt status in 2009. Founded with Andy Simons out of a local working group's vision for a revitalized, publicly accessible canal, the organization builds an equitable and resilient urban ecosystem through hands-on stewardship, environmental education, and advocacy. Its programs include volunteer-led plantings, rain-garden and green-infrastructure maintenance, and monthly composting events, alongside partnerships with the EPA, NYC Department of Environmental Protection, Riverkeeper, and academic institutions. Based in Gowanus, Brooklyn, the Conservancy also runs the Lowlands Nursery, a mission-driven native-plant nursery supplying local ecotype plants to residents, schools, and community gardens.