Protecting the Hudson

Up Close with the Clearwater Organization

There is a shared dream in the Hudson Valley that lays the foundation for thousands of locals and outsiders alike: the majestic Hudson River, which quietly flows from upstate New York to New York City. However, the public constantly takes advantage of the scenery and natural breeze that the Hudson creates. With a keener eye, there is a complex and deeply rooted history of the river that has shaped it into what it is today. 

Source: Clearwater

Below the water’s surface are not only natural elements like fish, rocks and dirt, but also toxic, dangerous and unwanted substances that hurt these natural elements. Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Inc., a nonprofit organization aimed at promoting environmental advocacy and educational programs and practices shares this dream, alongside its sister organizations, Riverkeeper and Scenic Hudson Clearwater. Each organization actively strives to restore the health of the Hudson that has been bruised overtime. 

Clearwater has made a significant impact on the environment, people and animals around the world. “There are about 10,000 people subscribed to our daily newsletter,” said Manna Jo Greene, environmental action director at Clearwater, who has dedicated most of her life to environmental action and the organization. “We share Pete Seeger’s values,” she said, adding that this type of work is “rooted deep in our DNA, to keep the environment healthy.”

Pete Seeger, a folk musician popular in the 1960s, inspired both the name and mission of the Clearwater organization. Seeger wanted to make a change in the Hudson during a time when it was primarily filled with sewage, pollution and toxic chemicals. His initiative, “build a boat to save the river,” focused specifically on a boat known as the “Sloop.” The Sloop enabled sail along the Hudson while embracing music, peace and environmental advocacy. Seeger’s legacy has been fulfilled by the Clearwater organization for over 50 years now, and the nonprofit has made an astronomical impact on the Hudson Valley.

Before becoming her current role at Clearwater, Greene took part in the Civil Rights Movement and participated in the March on Washington as a teenager in the ‘60s. She has always had a spark for advocacy, and when she first heard about Pete and his work, she volunteered as a litter picker. She continued to help out at the festivals and events that Clearwater organized, continuing to bring her expertise to Clearwater’s team in any way possible. As the ‘90s rolled in, she became a recycling coordinator, then the years continued to progress and she kept coming back. “It became a 10-year career for me,” she says. 

Clearwater works closely with Scenic Hudson and Riverkeeper on projects relating to the health of the Hudson River, including the impact of Hudson River PCBs, Green Cities, the radiation and environmental endangerment from the Indian Point Energy Center and more. The Hudson River PCBs have been one of their largest ongoing projects. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are the discharge from manufacturing plants such as General Electric, located in Fort Edward and Hudson Falls. The PCBs poison the fish that people would eat, ultimately making them sick. 

The Clearwater organization’s projects have not always been received positively by the community. Greene explains that in one specific instance, there was a tug of war between their organization and the community they were trying to help. They didn’t understand what the organization was trying to do. Greene thought that they might even “throw rotten tomatoes at us when we got the pass for cleanup,” she said. However, the tension did ease. “We supported their legitimate concerns and met monthly. We built that connection that changed 180 degrees because of the communication,” she said. “They [began] to trust Clearwater.” 

There has been a continuous effort made by all members of Clearwater to raise awareness and protect the Hudson. Even during times of COVID-19 they followed CDC guidelines and continued their efforts. They stay connected with people up and down the Hudson while maintaining COVID-19 protocols. 

Clearwater educates the young and old about their practices, research and goals. Recently, the organization held their annual festival virtually, with music from local singers and embraced the love they all share for the Hudson Valley. 

From a young teen interested in volunteer work to being the organization’s director, Greene has influenced thousands throughout the many years working with Clearwater and enjoys spreading the shared values through Seeger and the Sloop. 

Greene quoted Margaret Mead to remind us all to “never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”