We are grateful to all who joined us at our 10th Annual Spirit of the Hudson Gala in 2025 to celebrate another year of protecting the Hudson River and stewarding the next generation of environmental leaders. We invite you to save Sunday, May 24, 2026 at 3:00pm for our 2026 Spirit of the Hudson Gala. If you have any questions about the event, or are interested in sponsorship, please email Meg Mayo, Director of Development at Marketing at meg@clearwater.org.

The Clearwater Spirit of the Hudson Gala is our annual celebration and fundraiser in support of our mission to protect the Hudson River and steward and intergenerational community of Hudson River advocates through education, advocacy, sailing, and music. Each year we honor individuals who have made significant contributions to protecting the Hudson, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, and an emerging environmental leader. 

Betsty Blair, Spirit of the Hudson Award

Betsy has made extraordinary contributions to the protection and celebration of the Hudson River and its watershed, exemplifying the values and spirit of Clearwater’s co-founder, Pete Seeger. With nearly 33 years of service at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and as the founder of her own environmental consulting firm, Betsy’s work has centered coastal habitat protection and has made a lasting impact on the river and those who enjoy it.

Pamela Wolff, Lifetime Contribution to Clearwater Award

Pamela Wolff is one of Clearwater’s longest-running volunteers. Pamela first ventured aboard Clearwater with a group of fellow NYC park advocates for an afternoon sail. From 1969 on, Pamela returned every summer to live and work alongside our crew until 2019. She is also a dedicated advocate serving on the Manhattan Community Board in Chelsea, the Chelsea Historic Preservation Committee, and the Chelsea Waterside Association, and advocating for Clearwater to have dock access in downtown Manhattan. We are so grateful to Pamela for her efforts to support our Youth Empowerment Programs, dock access, and as an on-board volunteer.

Venuri Atulugama, Next Generation Environmental Leader Award

Venuri is an up-and-coming Hudson River researcher and first-generation college student at SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry. She is conducting and publishing research on the effects of small-scale fish passage on American eels after receiving the prestigious Tibor T. Polgar Research Fellowship from the Hudson River Foundation.

2025:Betsy Blair, Spirit of the Hudson Award, Pamela Wolff, Lifetime Contribution to Clearwater Award. Venuri Atulugama, Next-Generation Environmental Leader Award

2024: Dr. Stuart Findley, Spirit of the Hudson Award. Manna Jo Greene, Clearwater Lifetime Contribution Award. Xiell Owens, Next Generation Environmental Leader Award.

2023: Ronald Zorrilla, Spirit of the Hudson Award. Betsy Garthwaite, Clearwater Lifetime Contribution Award

2022: Tom Lake, Spirit of the Hudson Award. Jim Kricker, Clearwater Lifetime Contribution Award

2021: Karl Coplan, Spirit of the Hudson Award. The Beacon Sloop Club, Clearwater Lifetime Contribution Award

2020: Tom Chapin, Spirit of the Hudson Award

2019: Adam Green, Spirit of the Hudson Award. John Mylod, Clearwater Lifetime Contribution Award

2017: Judith Enck and all past and present board members, Spirit of the Hudson Award

2016: Captain Jean Wort and all Clearwater Captains from 1969 to present, Spirit of the Hudson Award

2015: Anne Todd Osborn and Fred Osborn III, Spirit of the Hudson Award

Founded in 2015, Clearwater’s Spirit of the Hudson Gala is held annually to recognize and honor extraordinary contributions to the protection and celebration of the Hudson River and its watershed by individuals who exemplify the values and spirit of our founders.