The Gowanus Canal Conservancy has a new deputy director. She is Lauren Elvers Collins of Windsor Terrace and an active member in both communities. Among the group’s ideas is that for Sponge Park. Ms. Elvers Collins has been working with group on public affairs and other efforts. Per an email from the Conservancy:

Collins will work closely with the executive director and board on a strategic plan and fundraising, will direct/create membership and volunteer programs, and will increase the organization’s community outreach. Since joining the Conservancy, Collins organized the group’s first green festival, Gowanus Goes Green, and has been very involved in the Conservancy’s Sponge Park design, a plan to create park land along the Gowanus Canal which would not only be beautiful but would also help filter and decrease the amount of polluted water flowing into the canal. While her work will concentrate on advancing the goals of the Conservancy, Collins will also spend a portion of her time with the Gowanus Canal Community Development Corporation focusing on the $275,000 Brownfield Opportunity Grant that the organization was awarded earlier this year (jointly with Friends of Community Board 6) to identify and redevelop contaminated land in the Gowanus area.

Ms. Elvers Collins is co-founder of the Windsor Terrace Alliance. She is a magna cum laude graduate of CUNY and holds a law degree from Fordham.