Celebrated as the focal point and undisputed gem of our region, the Hudson River seems to sparkle on even the cloudiest days, but it hasn’t always been as clean as it is today—and that’s no secret. Its majestic banks were fertile ground for the industrial and commercial boom of the mid-1800s, which left its waters severely degraded by chemicals and waste from busy factories and mills.
The poor state of the Hudson received a mostly blind eye in the decades that followed the Industrial Revolution, but in the mid-1960s, environmental proponents began rising to the surface, leading the charge to both remediate and prevent pollution. Here are four organizations that continue to fight the good fight for the beauty of our beloved, mighty river.
1. Riverkeeper
Arguably the premier steward of the Hudson, this Ossining-based organization is driven by three main goals: Guarding waterways by holding polluters accountable, defending local access to clean drinking water, and finding solutions to improve wildlife habitat, sustainable energy, and more. And for more than four decades, its eponymous boat has been patrolling the river, looking out for and turning in the river’s worst offenders and environmental lawbreakers.
Riverkeeper was founded in 1966, when local fishermen, fed up with their oil-slicked catch, banded together to report shoreline and water polluters—and a compelling postcard campaign asked community members to do the same. To this day, the group continues to encourage the public’s involvement in its mission, most notably with the annual Riverkeeper Sweep (typically held in early May), in which volunteers pitch in to help clean up waterfront locations along the length of the Hudson.
2. Hudson River Sloop Clearwater
Recognized as a river-preserving force in the region, this organization was founded in 1969 when folk singer and activist Pete Seeger, distraught over the industrial pollution of his so-called “dirty stream,” announced plans to build a replica of the historic tall ships, or sloops, that once sailed the Hudson, hoping it would inspire the public to hop aboard his cause. That same ship has been making its way up and down the river ever since, operating as a grassroots advocacy and educational outfit—and enjoying a lofty spot on the National Register of Historic Places.
“Some day, though maybe not this year, my Hudson River will once again run clear.”
Hopeful lyrics to “My Dirty Stream,” written by folk singer Pete Seeger.
Today, Clearwater’s signature program is the onboard “Sailing Classroom,” a sort of floating field trip in which students can learn about the ecology of the river and its cultural significance. The Beaconbased organization believes that by educating children both in school and on the water, it can help foster longterm stewardship of the magnificent waterway in local communities.
3. Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies
Since its founding in 1983, this globally renowned nonprofit, headquartered in Millbrook and led by a large team of scientists and researchers, has been investigating the ecology of the Hudson River—monitoring everything from the spread of invasive species to the water’s environmental conditions. This work informs the restoration of shorelines and wetlands along the river, which helps its overall health by providing habitats for wildlife, reducing erosion, and filtering out pollution.
Crucial to the institution’s mission is its wide range of public education programs which aim to engage citizens in conservation efforts while assisting similarly focused local organizations in implementing best management practices.
4. Scenic Hudson
Born in 1963 when six individuals rallied together to save Storm King Mountain from becoming the site of a Con Ed hydroelectric plant, this Poughkeepsie-based organization has gone on to secure numerous conservation easements and preserve hundreds of acres of parks, farms, and historic land throughout the Hudson Valley. Among them, previously contaminated waterfront sites that are now thriving public parks, like Scenic Hudson Park at Irvington and Long Dock Park in Beacon. With over 25,000 supporters, Scenic Hudson is the largest environmental group in the region.
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