FREE - A Panel Discussion on Stewardship of the Hudson River

A Panel Discussion on Stewardship of the Hudson River

Thursday, November 2 at 7:00pm

Free to the Public

What is your relationship with our Hudson River?  What are the threats to our river and water?  Join Rockland Center for the Arts for a discussion and introduction to the challenges facing the Hudson River, both past and present.  What do you know, not know or would like to know about our great beautiful Hudson River?  What positive things are happening with the river?  What personal actions can you take to be good stewards of the river? With Jacquelyn Drechsler, Laurie Seeman, Susan H. Shapiro, Esq., SE Smith, Esq., and special guest Cristina Biaggi. You are invited to join the conversation to discuss what we can do to protect our essential estuary and ask questions.

This public program is in conjunction with RoCA's Where the Water Goes exhibit on view through November 22, 2023.

Jacquelyn Drechsler (moderator) is a flutist, environmental activist who has been involved in water issues and water protection for several years in Rockland County.

Laurie Seeman is an environmental artist, naturalist, educator, and leading water activist. She is active in bringing water education to the Hudson Valley region. She is the founder of Strawtown Studio, a place for art and natural sciences education. 

She also educates decision-makers and is a lead member of the Rockland Water Coalition. Additionally, she founded the Sparkill Creek Watershed Alliance. In 2020 she was awarded an NEA grant for InHabit Art, a program to creatively connect the youth of Haverstraw, and Spring Valley with local waterways.She continues to innovate ways to give a nature-based voice to water concerns. 

Susan Hillary Shapiro, Esquire, is an New York State environmental attorney who specializes in protecting clean water, and is a member of the Rockland County Water Coalition. She is a board member of Radiation and Public Health Project (RPHP) and a founding core member of Indian Point Safe Energy Coalition (IPSEC).  She has represented Hudson River Sloop Clearwater,  ROSA 4 Rockland, Citizens United to Protect Our Neighborhoods (CUPON, the Rapa Nui Indigenous Communities, and Tibetan Home of Hope.  She is an award winning filmmaker and painter, and currently runs a permaculture farm. 

SD Smith, Equire, is the son of William Alfred Smith, Esquire, who spent his early childhood in Ramapo.  Mr. Smith has lectured on diverse subjects such as telecommunications policy, trade policy, environmental law, and the human rights of indigenous people. SD Smith is a lawyer and is an advisor to Ramapough Munsee Lunaape Nation. Mr. Smith has assisted Navajo, Tohono O’odham, and Guyanese villagers and Ramapough with major environmental issues in national courts and before Congress and the United Nations.

RoCA gratefully acknowledges support for its programs from The Rea Charitable Trust, Sarah and Stephen Thomas, The Richard Pousette-Dart Foundation, M&T Bank, The M&T Charitable Foundation, The Dorothy Gillespie Foundation, Walter Cain & Paulo Ribeiro, Kantrowitz, Goldhamer & Graifman P.C., QuietEvents, the Estate of Joan Konner, Lighting Services Inc., the Mark and Jessie Milano Foundation, Zaklin Family Charitable Fund, The County of Rockland, Art Services Group, RoCA members, donors and business members.

RoCA’s programs are made possible, in part, with funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature. Funding is also made possible by the County of Rockland.