Friday, October 27 | 6PM

An Evening of Celebration and Success | In collaboration with Good Work Institute and Hudson River Stories

// FREE ADMISSION //

THANK YOU to everyone who joined us for this wonderful celebration of our community. To the organizations who work tirelessly to preserve our region’s environment, thank you for sharing your stories and allowing us an insight into your vital work. To Jon Bowermaster and Ocean’s 8 Films, thank you for shining a light on the untold stories of the Hudson River in such a poetic and powerful way. For those feeling inspired after such an incredible event, follow the links to learn more about  Riverkeeper, Scenic Hudson, Catskill Mountainkeeper, Schooner Apollonia, The Columbia Land Conservancy , the SS Columbia Project, Clearwater and Good Work Institute. Watch Jon Bowermaster’s Hudson River Stories web series here.

The Hudson Valley Climate Salon Series

Climate Chaos and Its Impact on the People and Places of the Mid-Hudson Valley

Elsewhere, those interested in learning more about the changing climate and what it means for our communities can look to Good Work Institute and Bard College’s Hudson Valley Climate Salon Series. The series takes place at Bard College Montgomery Place Campus over four Sundays in October and November. Good Work Institute and Bard College will partner with local experts to explore a different theme each week, and to provide a clear and honest assessment of the local risks and challenges that come with a chaotic climate as told through the experiences of those who are closest to them. Learn more about the series here.

// Bard College Montgomery Place Campus, 26 Gardener Way, Red Hook, NY //

Join us as we come together to recognize and celebrate positive efforts to preserve the Hudson River and this beautiful region where we make our home.

Join the conversation. Meet organizations and people committed to protecting the environment in the Hudson River Valley. Individuals from organizations including Riverkeeper, Catskill Mountainkeeper, Schooner Apollonia, The Columbia Land Conservancy , the SS Columbia Project and Clearwater will be in attendance to explain their work and answer questions.

Watch a special preview screening of two new films from Ocean’s 8 Films’‘s Hudson River Stories web series. With all films directed by filmmaker Jon Bowermaster, the series reports on a handful of serious and growing threats to the river.

Social hour 6PM – 7PM
Refreshments generously provided by Catskill Brewery and Bread Alone, with tasters from Tin Can Juicery, new to the Hudson waterfront.

The Hudson River, like many waterways around the world, has long been treated like an infinite waste barrel, a dumping ground for toxic chemicals, hazardous waste and trash. But, for the past fifty years, an amazing collection of environmental groups have worked to revive the Hudson and the beautiful valley that surrounds it, and these accomplishments remind us what a resilient resource the river is. Hope On The Hudson follows on from Basilica Hudson’s 2017 season launch in April, which featured a screening of films from Hudson River Stories’ Hudson River At Risk series, at an event which awakened attendees to the many current challenges facing our river.

WITH:

THE COLUMBIA LAND CONSERVANCY (CLC): The Columbia Land Conservancy (CLC) works with the community to conserve the farmland, forests, wildlife habitat and rural character of Columbia County, strengthening connections between people and the land. A non-profit land trust founded in 1986, CLC has conserved more than 30,000 acres of land and manages ten public conservation areas for wildlife and outdoor recreation. Presenter Christine Vanderlan works with municipal partners on recreational trail and park projects, and develops workshops for local land use decision makers. Christine coordinates the Columbia County Trails Task Force and the Roundtable for Conservation Advisory Councils (CACs). She earned a Master’s of Science in Biodiversity, Conservation and Policy from the State University of New York at Albany.

SCENIC HUDSON: Scenic Hudson preserves land and farms and creates parks that connect people with the inspirational power of the Hudson River, while fighting threats to the river and natural resources that are the foundation of the valley’s prosperity.

THE SS COLUMBIA PROJECT: The National Historic Landmark steamboat Columbia is coming to the Hudson River. Once in service, the 115-year-old vessel will be a new cultural venue on the Hudson River – a moving platform for arts and education that reconnects New York City to the Hudson Valley. Presenter Ann Loeding is Port Captain/Restoration Coordinator at the SS Columbia Project

RIVERKEEPER: Riverkeeper is a member-supported watchdog organization dedicated to defending the Hudson River and its tributaries and to safeguarding the drinking water for millions of New Yorkers. Our vision: Clean, swimmable waters, a Hudson River teeming with life, and safe and abundant drinking water supplies. www.Riverkeeper.org Presenter Paul Gallay is President and Hudson Riverkeeper. Paul and the Riverkeeper team work to protect the Hudson River and the drinking water supplies for nine million New Yorkers.

CATSKILL MOUNTAINKEEPER: Established in 2006, Catskill Mountainkeeper is the strongest advocate for the Catskill region. Working with a network of concerned citizens and strategic partners, Mountainkeeper’s programs protect and promote our region’s extraordinary natural heritage, while promoting smart development that supports local communities and grows our economy in a sustainable way. Ramsay Adams is Executive Director of Catskill Mountainkeeper. As the organization’s Founder and Executive Director, Ramsay provides overall leadership for all aspects of Mountainkeeper’s work, helping guide and inspire our team, shape our programs, and cultivate essential strategic relationships with key outside friends and partners.

SCHOONER APOLLONIA: The crew of the Schooner Apollonia are working to transform the Apollonia into the Hudson Valley region’s largest carbon-neutral merchant vessel. Powered by wind and used vegetable oil, the Apollonia will transport her cargo to and from New York City sustainably. This is not a living-history project trying to make the past “come alive”. Instead, the crew are part of a growing sail-freight movement committed to proving cargo vessels are still relevant, intelligent solutions.

CLEARWATER: For over 45 years, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Inc. has been at the forefront of the environmental movement as champion of the Hudson River, working to pass landmark legislation like the Clean Water Act, and providing innovative educational programs, environmental advocacy, and musical celebrations, including the renowned annual Clearwater Festival, to inspire, educate, and activate millions of people.

DANDELION ENERGY: Dandelion is a home geothermal company, with a breakthrough renewable heating and cooling solution. Dandelion offers high-performance equipment and a proprietary, low-cost installation process that allows homeowners to save money by switching from conventional heating fuels to geothermal heating and cooling.

SUSTAINABLE HUDSON VALLEY: Sustainable Hudson Valley is a catalyst for greening our communities and region. Our Solarize and Drive Electric programs build the marketplace for clean energy. We help communities with creative peacemaking that improves resilience in a changing climate. And we’re part of the leadership of the Mid-Hudson Regional Sustainability Coalition implementing the region’s framework for sustainable development.

HUDSON SOLAR: Hudson Solar is a leader in the design and installation of solar energy systems. They are a New York–based, family-owned business serving upstate New York. They design and install systems for residential, commercial, agriculture and municipal/non-profit organizations. With over 1,500 systems installed, they guide customers through every step of the process.

BARD GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN SUSTAINABILITY: Building the Army for Sustainability. Alumni/ae from the Graduate Programs in Sustainability at Bard College are forming a new generation of leaders building an exciting and resilient future for the Hudson Valley — in policy, business and education.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY EVA DEITCH: Eva Deitch is a documentary and editorial photographer living in The Hudson Valley. Her series, Finding Sanctuary on the Hudson, was made over multiple visits to Long Dock Park along the Hudson River. Deitch is interested in exploring natural, open, and quiet places and believes that success of humanity relies on the existence of these spaces.