TASK FORCE CHAIRS:

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PARTICIPANTS:

Anne Ackerson (Director, Museum Association of New York)
Michael Botwinick (Director, Hudson River Museum)
Randy Bourscheidt (President, Alliance for the Arts)
David Conover, (Educational Director, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater)
Debbi Duke (Director, Teaching the Hudson Valley)
Tema Harnik (Executive Director, Greater Hudson Heritage Network)
Cornelia Harris (Program Leader, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies)
Lucille Johnson (Professor of Anthropology, Vassar College)
Gary Schiro (Executive Director, Hudson Opera House)
Roger Panetta, Ph.D. (Curator, The Hudson River Collection University Libraries)
Jennifer Schwartz-Berky (Visiting Lecturer in Environmental and Urban Studies, Bard College)
Rosemary Wakeman (Director, Urban Studies Program, Fordham University Lincoln Center)

The following Vision statement and Proposition is based upon a full report (available by clicking HERE), that provides additional background and context.

VISION:
The Cultural and Education Task Force recommends that the Hudson River Valley be re-positioned as a nationally significant and unique cultural and educational resource in the form of the “Environmental Science Center of America.

The primary focus of the Environmental Center will be to showcase the biodiversity, ecosystem health and environmental attributes of our region.  We believe the arts, cultural, environmental and educational organizations all play critical roles in advancing this identity through their public programs, exhibitions and educational work. We value educating both local residents and visitors about environmental stewardship through imaginative programs reaching the broadest possible demographics.

The Hudson River Valley is the historic core of America’s revolutionary resources.   Examples of this include the American Revolution, the Industrial Revolution and now, the Environmental Preservation Revolution.  Through concerted, well-coordinated efforts, including proactive communications and marketing efforts, we will transform the Hudson River Valley in the national imagination.  This will be done by strategically re-positioning it to have a far greater national identity.

It is important that the Hudson River Valley be seen with “new eyes, fresh voices, new visions”, and we recognize the importance of having the full spectrum of organizations deeply engaged in bringing a collective and sharper focus and a heightened public awareness of the region’s identity.

Our population must understand the watershed on a deeper level, and see the River as key to daily life, to agricultural and smart economic development and as a complement to the Valley’s cultural identity.  Re-branding the Hudson River Valley to develop strong connections to the agricultural production of the region is important, and developing career opportunities in environmental fields related is key.

PROPOSITION: (Click on the proposition below to read more and comment.)

ESTABLISH A NATIONAL PARK THAT POSITIONS THE REGION AS A NATIONALLY SIGNIFICANT CULTURAL, HISTORICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER.