Climate Change Panel At Hudson River Music Festival To Feature Leading Environmental Voices

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW FOR THE FESTIVAL ON JUNE, 21

 

May 7, Croton Point Park, NY - The Hudson River Music Festival is set to return for a second year to Croton Point Park on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 21. Rooted in the spirit of Pete and Toshi Seeger’s folk picnics, this all-ages day aims to bring together music lovers, environmental advocates, and families for a vibrant celebration. Dedicated to sustainability, and commitment to a Zero Waste future, attendees will be encouraged to reduce their environmental impact and enjoy a greener, more responsible experience.

Today, the festival is proud to announce a special Climate Change Panel, Climate Change: Science, Policy, Action, taking place at 2:00PM on the North Star Stage, bringing together a distinguished group of environmental leaders, advocates, scientists, and change makers to discuss urgent climate issues and pathways forward. The panel will open with remarks from headliner Grahame Lesh, setting the stage for a timely and impactful conversation at the intersection of music, community, and environmental action.

This year’s panel will feature a diverse lineup of experts, including:

Jen Benson, Director of Advocacy & Communications, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater. Expertise: Hudson Valley watershed, Hudson River ecosystem, and climate science.

Lauren Sutherlin, Director of Strategic Communications, Rainforest Action Network. Expertise: International climate issues and pipeline financing.

Vanessa Fajans-Turner, Executive Director, Environmental Advocates NY. Expertise: New York State climate policy and Albany climate legislation.

Korey G. Silverman-Roati, Senior Fellow, Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, Columbia Law School. Expertise: Federal climate policy, EPA regulation, carbon management, and negative emissions.

Maya Kalender, Rising Freshman, Columbia University; Hudson River Sloop Clearwater “Spirit of the Hudson” Next Generation Environmental Leader Award recipient. Expertise: Youth climate leadership and environmental advocacy.

Meghan Ryan, Director of Natural Climate Solutions Strategy, National Audubon Society. Expertise: Conservation, biodiversity, and nature-based climate solutions.

Also contributing to the discussion is emcee Jason Grauer, a seasoned leader in regenerative agriculture who serves as the Executive Director of Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture. 

The panel will be moderated by Joe DiMona, retired attorney and current consultant for the Model Climate Laws Initiative, a partnership between Columbia University’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law and Environmental Advocates New York. The initiative develops model legislation to help state and local governments decarbonize and advance sustainability and climate resilience.

Together, the panel will explore critical topics ranging from federal and state climate policy to grassroots advocacy, ecological science, and the role of the next generation in shaping environmental action. Hudson River Music Festival continues its commitment to blending music, education, and community engagement by hosting conversations that matter alongside its world-class performances. The Climate Change Panel is free to all Hudson River Music Festival ticket holders.

For tickets and additional festival information, visit hudsonrivermusicfestival.com.

 

ABOUT GRAHAME LESH

Grahame Lesh is a Marin County, California-based guitarist, singer-songwriter, and bandleader whose work bridges roots rock, Americana, and the expansive improvisational tradition of the Grateful Dead universe. Best known as a founding member and co-frontperson of Midnight North, as well as for his work with Phil Lesh & Friends and the Terrapin Family Band, Lesh has become a central figure in the thriving musical community that grew out of Terrapin Crossroads in San Rafael. Since forming Midnight North in 2012, he has toured extensively nationwide and released a substantial body of original music, including five studio albums, three live albums, and two EPs, highlighted by 2023’s Diamonds in the Zodiac, produced by Amy Helm and featuring contributions from Phil Lesh and others. Through Grahame Lesh & Friends, he further explores reinterpretations of Grateful Dead material, reimagined Midnight North songs, and other eclectic repertoire, while his international touring with Phil Lesh ensembles has taken him to stages from Fuji Rock Festival to Newport Folk Festival. Rooted in songcraft and groove, Lesh brings a present-tense vitality to music informed by rock, folk, blues, soul, and the enduring American songbook.

 

For more information please contact Shore Fire Media

HudsonRiverMusicFest@shorefire.com