The Hudson River takes center stage in filmmaker Jon Bowermaster’s new environmental documentary The Keeper, which will premiere at the Woodstock Film Festival this October.
The film follows patrol boat captain John Lipscomb, who has spent more than 25 years navigating the Hudson as the eyes and ears of Riverkeeper, the environmental watchdog group. As Lipscomb approaches retirement, Bowermaster’s film captures both the progress and persistent challenges facing what some call America’s “first river.”
A Story Years in the Making
Bowermaster, who has lived in the Hudson Valley for nearly four decades, said The Keeper is the culmination of years of reporting on the river through his short-film series Hudson River Stories.
“I wanted to tell a story about the Hudson River today,” Bowermaster said. “But not in an overly technical way. By following John Lipscomb, we found a guide who could show us the river’s issues firsthand.”
Filming over four years, Bowermaster and his crew accompanied Lipscomb on the Riverkeeper boat, documenting both natural beauty and manmade threats.
Environmental Challenges Remain
While the Hudson looks cleaner than it did decades ago, Bowermaster noted that problems persist.
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PCB contamination from decades of General Electric dumping still affects water, wildlife, and public health.
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Aging wastewater treatment plants overflow during heavy rains, sending sewage and runoff into the river.
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Algal blooms caused by hotter, drier summers highlight the impact of climate change.
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Sea-level rise threatens infrastructure and drinking water supplies for over 100,000 Hudson Valley residents.
Bowermaster said Lipscomb often reminds passengers that everyone shares responsibility for the river’s health. “When people ask, ‘Who are the big polluters?’ he holds up a mirror,” Bowermaster said.
Signs of Hope
Despite the challenges, The Keeper also highlights reasons for optimism. The Hudson is home to thriving wildlife, from herring and bass to massive sturgeon. Birdlife flourishes along its banks, and cleaner waters have allowed species to return.
“It’s the Serengeti of waterways,” Lipscomb says in the film, describing the diversity of life that depends on the river.
A Local Premiere
For Bowermaster, premiering The Keeper at the Woodstock Film Festival is especially meaningful.
“I’ve made films on every continent, but you don’t have to travel halfway around the world to find powerful environmental stories—they’re right here in our backyard,” he said.
The Keeper will have its world premiere on Saturday, October 18, at 4 p.m. in Woodstock. More information is available at woodstockfilmfestival.org.