Design Trust Water RFP Semifinalists - Gowanus Canal Floating Wetland Habitats

We’re honored that we’ve been selected as semifinalists in the Design Trust Water competition! Our proposal explores how floating wetlands can become a new tool in the restoration of urban waterways—bringing ecological function and public life together in innovative ways. In collaboration with the Gowanus Canal Conservancy and the Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club, we’re working toward a future where the canal supports both biodiversity and community access. By introducing accessible floating wetland systems, we hope to shift the narrative of the canal—from a symbol of pollution to a place of ongoing ecological recovery and public engagement. Grateful to be part of such a diverse and inspiring group of proposals.

Read the proposal abstract:

Over time, the Gowanus Canal has evolved from a tidal creek marshland system into a heavily polluted canal lined with hardened bulkheads. However, decades of community-led advocacy have sparked efforts to clean, restore, and reimagine its future. This project proposes an innovative restoration strategy that reintroduces marshland species through accessible floating wetland habitats, reconnecting people to the Canal through nature-based features. Designed to comply with shoreline and remediation regulations, the floating wetlands will provide a new model for recreational, educational, and ecological renewal in the heart of Brooklyn.

https://www.designtrust.org/news/26-ideas-nycs-water-future/