BEACON, NY– Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Inc. announced today that it will be one of three lead participants in development of the long-planned “Estuarium” to be built on Pier 26 at the base of Houston Street in Manhattan. The Hudson River Park Trust named Clarkson University and its Beacon Institute to oversee construction and operation of the Estuarium, along with Clearwater and the New York Hall of Science.
Publicly mandated in 1998, the estimated $20 million Estuarium facility will include a 550-acre riverside park and Estuarium building that will serve as a center for research, education and public discovery of river ecology.
In making the announcement for Clearwater, Executive Director Peter Gross said, “Clearwater is elated to be a key part of this unprecedented project on the Hudson River. The opportunity carries momentous potential for us to advance our mission by docking the iconic sloop Clearwater at the Estuarium and contributing our rich educational and music heritage to what promises to be a major attraction. Visitors to the Estuarium will join us in learning about, experiencing, celebrating and protecting both the urban waterfront and the entire ecosystem of our beloved river.”
Clearwater Board President Anne Osborn said, “For almost five decades, we have connected over half a million people with their River and watershed. They have been inspired to protect their natural treasures and take up the many environmental challenges to the Hudson. We are thrilled about this extraordinary and highly visible venue to expand our work. This collaboration will be monumental for Clearwater and, we hope, for the Hudson.”
The organization’s Education Director, Dave Conover, said Clearwater will have the opportunity to expand its education programs at the Estuarium, which is named for the 153-mile-long Hudson River estuary extending from Troy, NY, down to New York Harbor. An estuary is the part of a river where fresh water and saltwater mix with the flux of the tides.
Clearwater already provides approximately 12,000 children each year the experience of sailing on a historic wooden tall ship as they learn about the Hudson River and what they can do to protect it. “As part of the Estuarium,” said Conover, “our onboard and dockside programs will be accessible to many more New York City area students, residents and visitors.”
Linda Richards, the Beacon, NY-based nonprofit’s Music and Events Director, said the New York City riverside location will be ideal for presenting concerts, small festivals, song circles, youth music workshops and other celebrations of the Hudson, drawing audiences to experience the facility.
Construction of the Estuarium is anticipated to start in 2017 and to cost more than $20 million – $10 million of which will be provided as New York State Department of Parks and Recreation funds through Hudson River Park Foundation.
Clearwater plans to form a New York City-based advisory board to help in envisioning and implementing the organization’s role at the Estuarium.
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About Hudson River Sloop Clearwater
Inspiring, educating and activating millions of people for more than 45 years, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater 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, providing innovative educational programs, environmental advocacy, and musical celebrations, including the renowned annual Clearwater Festival. To date, more than half a million people have experienced their first real look at an estuary’s ecosystem aboard the sloop Clearwater. The organization’s strong connection to youth, environmental education, and its agenda to create the next generation of environmental leaders are all part of building and strengthening a Green Cities Initiative for a green economy and a more inclusive and diverse environmental movement. Utilizing the greatest natural resource in the region, the Hudson River, Clearwater has become the grassroots model for producing positive changes to protect our planet. For more information, visit www.clearwater.org. Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Inc. is a 501(c) 3 tax-exempt nonprofit, member-supported corporation whose mission is to preserve and protect the Hudson River, its tributaries and related bodies of water.
