This spring Clearwater will honor visionary conservation and public land management leader Erik Kulleseid; musicians and Ashokan Center founders Jay Ungar and Molly Mason; and emerging environmental leader Maya Kalender

February 10, 2026

BEACON, NY — Hudson River Sloop Clearwater will host its 11th Annual Spirit of the Hudson Gala on Sunday, March 22, 2026, from 3:00–7:00 PM at The Garrison in Garrison, NY. This year’s gala celebrates preservation of place, music, and the Hudson River. 

For nearly 60 years, Clearwater has united the Hudson Valley through education, advocacy, music and sailing to protect and preserve the Hudson River and steward the next generation of environmental leaders. The organization will recognize seasoned and emerging leaders who are preserving open space, musical history and heritage, and the shared ecosystem of the Hudson Valley.

Clearwater will present The Spirit of the Hudson Award to Erik Kulleseid, a visionary conservation and public land management leader with a career dedicated to protecting natural resources and expanding access to meaningful outdoor experiences. As President and CEO of the Open Space Institute, Kulleseid advances land conservation through partnership-building and innovation, ensuring that the Hudson River and its surrounding landscapes remain protected, accessible, and welcoming for future generations. Previously, Kulleseid served as Commissioner of New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, where he led transformative capital initiatives across the state, including the opening of Shirley Chisholm State Park in Brooklyn, and the creation of Sojourner Truth State Park in Kingston.

The Lifetime Contribution to Clearwater Award will be presented to Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, the acclaimed musicians and cultural leaders whose influence has shaped American acoustic music and the Hudson Valley’s folk community for more than five decades. Ungar and Mason have been central figures in Clearwater’s musical legacy, from the stages of the Great Hudson River Revival to community concerts and events across the region. Ungar and Mason are also founders of the Ashokan Foundation and its partner organization, the Ashokan Center, a nationally recognized hub for music, environmental education, and community life.

Columbia University student and Nyack resident Maya Kalender will receive the organization’s Next Generation Environmental Leader Award. Raised in Rockland county, Maya’s passion for environmental stewardship began through early experiences with Strawtown Studio’s river ecology programs. She has founded and led environmental clubs, organized community education efforts, and emerged as a strong advocate for environmental health, equity, and policy. As a high school junior, Kalender was selected for the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory’s Next Generation of Hudson River Educators Program, receiving advanced training in Hudson River ecology. A freshman at Columbia University, Maya is majoring in Economics and Environmental Sustainability, and is an officer in Columbia University’s Sunrise Movement chapter.

The Spirit of the Hudson Gala brings together Clearwater supporters, community leaders, and advocates for an afternoon of celebration, connection, and purpose. Members of the public are encouraged to attend and and/or participate in the silent auction online. More information about the 2026 Spirit of the Hudson Gala, including tickets, sponsorship opportunities, and honoree details, can be found at clearwater.org/gala.

 

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About Hudson River Sloop Clearwater 

In 1966, the Hudson River was plagued by industrial pollution, and folk singer Pete Seeger and a group of activists decided to “build a boat to save the river” by bringing together communities across the region to protect and restore the river. Three years later, the sloop Clearwater set sail with a mission to save the Hudson through education, advocacy, sailing, and music. Nearly six decades later, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater remains resolute in this mission, and to date, more than half a million people have had the life-changing experience of sailing aboard the Clearwater. 

Contact:
Jen Benson, Director of Communications
 jen@clearwater.org 
585-943-7454