What organizations are putting their efforts into the 21st century cleanup and revamping of the area?

Gowanus Canal Conservancy

Gowanus Canal Conservancy advocates and cares for ecologically sustainable parks and public spaces in the Gowanus lowlands while empowering a community of stewards.

On tenboo.com:

Their activities include leading grassroots volunteer projects, educating students on environmental issues, and working with agencies, elected officials, and the community to advocate for, build, and maintain innovative green infrastructure around the Gowanus Canal.
 
“We spend a lot of our days advocating to city agencies, to private landowners, about how to make sure that their investments in the neighborhood actually serve the broader public,” said Andrea Parker, Executive Director at GCC.

Gowanus Dredgers

Since 1999, the Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club have empowered people to care for the Gowanus Canal through advocacy, conservation, and education. The Dredgers are a volunteer organization dedicated to providing waterfront access and education about our estuary and shoreline neighborhoods.

I was introduced to the Dredgers at their start after meeting Gowanus activist Owen Foote who took me on my first canoe trip on the waterway, introducing me to a different ecosystem in my own backyard. I will be forever grateful.

Voice Of Gowanus website link

Voice of Gowanus is a coalition of community citizens and organizations opposed to Mayor De Blasio’s and Councilmember Lander’s efforts to create an unsafe environment for current and future neighbors of the Gowanus Canal.