Annual Conference 2009: New York

Waterkeeper Alliance celebrated its 10^th anniversary by holding our Annual Conference in New York—the birthplace of our movement. From June 24-28, some of the world’s leading environmental advocates gathered at SUNY Maritime Academy to discuss the most urgent crisis of our time—climate change and the impacts on the world’s water resources. The conference was hosted by Hudson Riverkeeper, Long Island Soundkeeper, and NY/NJ Baykeeeper, all three of whom are among our founding Waterkeeper organizations.  Representatives from more Waterkeeper organizations attended the conference than any previous one, and included new Waterkeepers from Bangladesh, Nepal and Ecuador.

Waterkeepers hosted a number of outstanding speakers including President William Jefferson Clinton, introduced by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.; Dr. James Hansen, renowned climate change scientist; Richard Heinberg, an expert on peak oil and peak coal issues; Yun Jianli, the Middle Han Waterkeeper in China; polar explorer and environmental leader, Sir Robert Swan, who was the first person to walk to both the North and South Poles; Majora Carter, MacArthur “genius” Fellow and green-collar economic consultant; and John H. Dunnigan, Assistant Administrator from NOAA.

To make the conference a success, we are truly grateful to those who donated financial and product support, along with those who donated their time and talent.

For financial support, we thank: Environment Now, National Endowment for Democracy, John and Wendy Neu, Paul Polizzotto (Waterkeeper Alliance Trustee and EcoMedia), Glenn Rink (Waterkeeper Alliance Trustee and AbTech Industries), William Wachtel and Billy Bey Ferry.

For product support, we thank: Bilt, ChicoBag, das Curb Marker, Dean’s Beans, EarthEra (offsets), Ex Officio, Glacier Glove, Grounds for Change, Hansen’s Natural, Izze, LightHawk, L.L. Bean, mti, Nature’s Path Organic, Newman’s Own, Palm, Planet, Radius, Rite in the Rain, Robert’s American Gourmet, Sierra Nevada, Southwings, Tazo, Teva, Veev, Yogi, and Yuengling.