Accomplishments

Historical Accomplishments

CLEARWATER: 2009–THE YEAR SO FAR 

Under the leadership of executive director Jeff Rumpf, Clearwater has been experiencing a busy and productive year so far, enjoying several celebrations while also forging ahead with a new environmental education initiative. 

January:

• Clearwater founder and legendary folk singer Pete Seeger, along with longtime Clearwater educator Dan Einbender and several volunteers, continue rehearsing with a group of Beacon, NY grade schoolers known as “The Kids From Room 12,” utilizing the “Power of Song” curriculum developed by Seeger and Clearwater.

February:

• Clearwater launches its Next Generation Legacy Project, an ambitious environmental education initiative aimed at creating new green leaders who will work toward a sustainable economy and eco-smart future. The project will eventually include eight to ten Green Cities / Environmental Justice and Leadership centers between New York City and Albany.
• Manna Jo Greene, environmental director at Clearwater, joins Joseph Mangano of the Radiation and Public Health Project at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) hearing in Cortlandt Manor, NY, and      presents newly released data that shows that thyroid cancer rates in the four counties closest to Indian Point are nearly double the U.S. average, and that childhood cancer is also above the national rate.

March:

• Clearwater is awarded a Year 2009 Project Grant from the Dutchess County Arts Council yesterday to create a unique public art project called Reviving the Fall Kill: Creating Treasure from Trash that Jennifer Rubbo, Fall Kill Watershed Coordinator at Clearwater, and Rachel Collet, a Tivoli, New York based artist, are collaborating on with the help of a number of volunteers. The project will use glass found in the Fall Kill during an April clean up of the creek.
• Clearwater’s “Spring Splash” fundraising concert sells out Beacon High School. The concert features Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy and an opening set from Pete and The Kids From Room 12.

April:

• Ribbon cutting hosted by Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce starts the 40^th sailing season of the sloop Clearwater.
• Clearwater spearheads Fall Kill Clean Up and with a number of volunteers removes 3-1/2 tons of trash from the creek.

May:

• The Clearwater Concert: Celebrating the Next Generation of Environmental Leaders takes place at Madison Square Garden in New York City, bringing together dozens of musical artists to celebrate Pete Seeger’s 90^th birthday.
• Clearwater acclaims the start of PCB dredging in the Hudson River, the culmination of three decade long fight.