POUGHKEEPSIE — Under the banner of “Creating the Next Generation of Environmental Leaders,” the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater launched its 2009 season with a ribbon cutting ceremony at Victor C. Waryas Park on Monday.

Clearwater’s 40th Anniversary coincides not only with the Hudson-Champlain Quadricentennial, but with the founder Pete Seeger’s 90th birthday year. A birthday party extravaganza to benefit Clearwater will be held at Madison Square Garden with scores of top acts, including Bruce Springsteen, Ritchie Havens, Joan Baez, and Kris Kristofferson on Sunday, May 3.

In June, the Clearwater will sail with the flotilla of vessels marking the Quadricentennial of Henry Hudson’s voyage up the river that bears his name.

Hosted by Clearwater, “America’s flagship environmental organization,” with the DC Regional Chamber of Commerce, Monday’s ribbon-cutting was well attended by elected officials, business owners and the general public.

U.S. Representative Maurice Hinchey (NY-22) was on hand, along with Poughkeepsie Mayor John C. Tkazyik, Beacon Mayor Steve Gold, Town of Poughkeepsie Supervisor Pat Myers, and Dutchess County Clerk Bradford Kendall.

Former Clearwater board member, Congressman John Hall (NY-19), who was unable to attend due to a prior commitment, had a statement read at the event that applauded Clearwater’s efforts in educating citizens about environmental stewardship, and its ongoing advocacy for the protection of the Hudson River, adding, “I look forward to celebrating Clearwater’s achievements for many years to come.”

Also attending was DC Tourism Director Mary Kay Vrba, Clearwater Captain Samantha Heyman, Poughkeepsie Chamber of Commerce chairman Steve Diamond, and 92.1 radio.

After decades of headquartering at “The Queen of the Hudson (Poughkeepsie),” the acclaimed grassroots organization founded by Pete Seeger in 1969 is moving to “The City of Light (Beacon).”

“The City of Beacon is elated that Clearwater will soon be relocating to the University Settlement Camp, with the sloop docking on our waterfront,” said Gold.

“Camp-based summer pilot programs, including Adventure Camp offering North American canoe, kayaking, hiking, rock climbing and organic farming will take place starting in July,” said director Angel Martinez.

Master of Ceremony, Commerce chairman Charles S. North, thanked Clearwater “for 40 years of teaching us what environmentalism is all about, and showing the business community that we can be partners in progress in making our Hudson Valley, and our country, a better place for all of us. We must all thank the environmentalists for showing us the right way!”

Hinchey recalled his first sail on the Clearwater in 1972, adding, “I am delighted to join my friends at Clearwater to help kickoff the group’s 40th sailing season on the Hudson River. For the past four decades, Clearwater has done a remarkable job of promoting environmental awareness and activism along the Hudson River while providing recreational opportunities to connect people of all ages with this magnificent waterway. I’m confident that 2009 will prove to be a wonderful sailing season.”

Since the launch of the Clearwater, more than 430,000 young people and hundreds of thousands of adults have enjoyed the wonders of the Hudson’s estuary ecosystem offish, invertebrates, water chemistry and ecological principles from aboard the sloop.

Clearwater’s environmental education programs now serve more than 15,000 students annually, and thousands of others enjoy the splendors of river travel aboard the Clearwater each year during her public sails. It was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004 for its role in the environmental movement.

Captain Heyman thanked her crew for readying the craft for the new season. “She’s now ready for her banner year, so come out for a sail and enjoy your river,” she said.