Till The River Runs Clear tells the story of America's environmental flagship, the Clearwater,
which has helped effect a remarkable grassroots transformation of the Hudson River over the last four
decades. It's a truly inspiring story. The Clearwater is a traditional wooden sloop that was launched
by folksinger Peter Seeger 35 years ago to draw attention to the fact that the Hudson River was so
polluted by local industry that it was nearly dead: its waters were foul and black, its banks a
wasteland. With its extraordinary crew of committed women and men -- and with funding provided by an
improvisational series of music festivals featuring some of America's greatest
musicians -- the Clearwater began to offer environmental education and advocacy programs that
over four decades have helped turn the Hudson into a swimable river, a place were wildlife
thrives. At the same time, the Clearwater has also introduced generations of schoolchildren
to environmental concerns. Indeed, the beautiful ship still sails today, serving as a moveable
classroom, laboratory, and stage. Till The River Runs Clear interweaves scenes of daily life on
the sloop with stories about its exciting history and a consideration of many pressing environmental
concerns. It features conversations and music performed by Seeger and his family and friends, as
well as interviews with leading environmental experts, activists, and educators. It was created by
Kunhardt Productions, the Emmy-award winning documentary film company.
Clearwater: Hudson River Rising is an
educational initiative funded by the Meserve-Kunhardt Foundation to
complement the documentary film 'Til the River Runs Clear.
The goal of the initiative is to raise awareness of the Hudson River
history and conservation among educators and students. To that end,
staff from New York City's public television station Thirteen/WNET and
approximately 40 teachers from nine schools along the Hudson River
spent a half day sailing on the historic sloop Clearwater
in October 2006. On board, they learned about the history of the river,
animal and plant life in the river, and the mechanics of the boat. Most
importantly, they learned about the continued struggle to clean the
River so that it can be enjoyed by future generations.
After the sail, Thirteen's staff designed and developed the components
of Clearwater: Hudson River Rising, while the participating teachers
contributed to the lesson plans and activities featured on this site.
It is our hope that the site will help you bring a few drops of the
Hudson to your own classroom.
To take your students on a fun, interactive, educational sail on the
Clearwater Sloop, visit www.clearwater.org.
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Content Staff:
Christopher W. Czajka, Associate Director, LAB@Thirteen
Maria Janelli, Assistant Outreach Producer
Production/Design Staff:
Brian Brunius, Executive Producer
Josh Zizmor, Technical Producer
Stephanie Liu, Designer
Thirteen Online is a production of Thirteen/WNET New York's Kravis
Multimedia Education Center in New York City. Anthony Chapman, Director
of Interactive & Broadband. Bob Adleman, Business Manager.
Clearwater: Hudson River Rising is a
production of the LAB@Thirteen, Thirteen/WNET's Educational and
Community Outreach department. Ronald Thorpe, Vice President and
Director, Education. Marsha Drummond, Director, LAB@Thirteen.
Christopher W. Czajka, Associate Director, LAB@Thirteen.
Educators:
Judith Brunstein Betancourt, West New York Middle School
Stella Brumberg, P.S. 64X
Carl Carrozza, Catskill Middle School
Wendy Casalino, Catskill Middle School
Krista Catizone, Monroe-Woodbury Middle School
Liz Chipman, Thomas O'Brien Academy of Science & Technology
Per Fosstveit, Monroe-Woodbury Middle School
Arthur Flynn, Thomas O'Brien Academy of Science & Technology
Carli Gazoorian , Catskill Middle School
Catherine Heller, West New York Middle School
Cheryl Holley, Thomas O'Brien Academy of Science & Technology
Laura Hopkins, Lime Kiln Elementary School
Wendy Iodice, Lime Kiln Elementary School
Myrna Kemnitz, M.S. 256
Estelle Kimizaka, P.S. 64X
Deirdre McEvoy, M.S. 256
Colin McLaughlin, Sanfordville Elementary School
Diana Piascik, Sanfordville Elementary School
Cheryl Rosen, M.S. 256
Patricia Scheuermann, Sanfordville Elementary School
Ethel G. Spaulding, P.S. 64X
Linda Taylor, M.S. 256
Nidia Tejeda, P.S. 64X
Beth Thorpe, Monroe-Woodbury Middle School
Claire Tunick, West New York Middle School
Cynthia A. Varrichio, West New York Middle School
Bessie Winter, Sanfordville Elementary School
Virginia Yacavone, Lime Kiln Elementary School
Jeanne Yatto, Monroe-Woodbury Middle School
Special Thanks:
Dyllan McGee, Kunhardt Productions
Greg Swanzey, Executive Director, Clearwater
Linda Richards, Outreach, Clearwater
Joanna Barnum, artist
Appalachian Trail Conservatory
Kraig Anderson, www.lighthousefriends.com
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