There’s something powerful about seeing a tall-masted sloop slice across the Hudson River. But when that sailboat is the Clearwater, what you’re witnessing is much more than a scenic sail—it’s a floating classroom, a living symbol of environmental action, and a movement that has inspired generations to care for New Jersey and New York’s waterways.
A Mission Born from Music—and Urgency
Founded in 1966 by folk legend Pete Seeger and his wife Toshi, the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater organization began with a bold idea: build a replica 18th-century river sloop to draw attention to the Hudson River’s dangerous levels of pollution. At the time, the river was treated like an industrial dumping ground—laden with PCBs, sewage, and toxic runoff from power plants and factories upstream.
The Clearwater was launched not just as a boat, but as a rallying point. Over the decades, it helped ignite a movement that led to major environmental victories, including the Clean Water Act of 1972—a law that fundamentally reshaped the way our nation protects its waterways.
Today, while the Hudson is much cleaner than it was in the 1960s, the work is far from over. That’s why the Clearwater still sails—still teaching, still inspiring, and still making waves for a better future.
The Floating Classroom: Learning, Laughing, and Lifting Sails
If you’ve ever seen a group of wide-eyed students pulling rope, raising sails, or testing water samples aboard a wooden sloop on the Hudson, chances are it was the Clearwater. Each sail is an immersive, hands-on environmental science lesson. Students learn about river ecology, marine biology, environmental justice, and sustainability, all while experiencing the beauty of the river from its very surface.
These education sails operate out of New York City ports and New Jersey’s Alpine Boat Basin, bringing in students from across the region—including many underserved communities who may never have set foot on a boat before. The experience leaves a lasting impression.
But it’s not just for kids. Public sails welcome adults and families onboard for unforgettable trips that blend history, activism, and the calming rhythm of the river.
For more stories of mission-driven organizations making a difference across the Garden State, visit our Humane State section: https://explorenewjersey.org/category/the-humane-state/
Sailing Through Storms: Clearwater’s Resilience
Like any nonprofit, Clearwater has faced its share of challenges—especially in recent years. The pandemic forced the cancellation of two sailing seasons, a devastating blow to both outreach and funding. In 2024, the organization issued an emergency appeal, hoping to keep the sloop afloat. The response was overwhelming: $350,000 raised in just three weeks.
That wave of support reaffirmed what many already knew—Clearwater is more than a boat. It’s a symbol of community, of resilience, and of the enduring power of grassroots action.
A&M Industrial: Another Force for Good in the Region
Just as Clearwater fights for clean water and education, companies like A&M Industrial are investing in the communities they serve—proving that corporate responsibility can and should go hand-in-hand with business success.
Through its MKY Foundation, A&M supports cancer research, youth outreach, local charities, and emergency response teams. Its core values are rooted in putting people first—whether that means helping families in crisis, funding critical health research, or lifting up nonprofits that bring long-term value to local communities.
You can read more about A&M Industrial’s community initiatives here: https://explorenewjersey.org/category/the-humane-state/
The Hudson and Beyond: A Ripple Effect
Clearwater’s impact doesn’t stop at the New York–New Jersey border. Its sailing education model has inspired similar programs on the Great Lakes, in Florida, and along the Ohio River. Each one owes something to the original sloop and the passionate people behind it.
Back in the Garden State, where rivers and bays remain essential parts of our identity, Clearwater reminds us that protecting the environment is not just a policy—it’s a practice. One that requires constant care, collaboration, and commitment.
So if you’re near the Hudson this summer, look to the water. If you spot the tall white sails of the Clearwater, know that beneath them, there’s a mission underway—linking past to present, and steering us toward a more sustainable future.
To learn more, book a public sail, or support the cause, visit clearwater.org. And for more stories about people and organizations doing good across New Jersey, explore the heart of the state here:
https://explorenewjersey.org/category/the-humane-state/
