Hackensack Riverkeeper, Inc.

Hackensack Riverkeeper, Inc. Hackensack Riverkeeper is the independent, non-governmental advocate for the Hackensack River. The focus of Hackensack Riverkeeper, Inc.

Mission Statement:

The primary Mission of the Hackensack Riverkeeper, Inc. is to provide representation for the natural living resources of the Hackensack River. This representation is manifested in the Hackensack environmental advocacy, education and conservation programs. is to protect and defend the environmental quality of the eco-system of the estuary, river and watershed and the quality of

life for the people and other creatures that inhabit the Hackensack River watershed. Hackensack Riverkeeper, Inc. will carry out its mission through a combination of both formal and informal environmental education projects focused on raising the level of awareness and sensitivity of the people of the Hackensack River watershed. also advocates the responsible restoration and conservation of the various fish and wildlife habitats that exist within the watershed. By assuming the role of citizen steward for the watershed, Hackensack Riverkeeper, Inc. will participate in a proactive manner to promote sustainable development. It is our intention to work with local, county and regional planners to ensure that all planning decisions address effects on the watershed. also will participate in the remediation of historic damage caused by the human community. To this end, Hackensack Riverkeeper, Inc. will seek the best possible "eco-logic" and economic solutions to the myriad problems that have been caused by the unfettered growth that has taken place within the watershed. will help local, state and federal agencies identify all sources of pollution and work with those agencies to ensure compliance with and enforcement of all environmental laws and regulations. Should the local, state and federal agencies demonstrate inability or unwillingness to enforce the laws and regulations to protect our natural resources, Hackensack Riverkeeper, Inc. will assume the role of citizen prosecutor in order to extract justice for the people and the eco-system of the watershed.

Join Hackensack Riverkeeper and the Bayonne Nature Club on Saturday, August 22 for the Rutkowski Park Community Cleanup!...
08/19/2026

Join Hackensack Riverkeeper and the Bayonne Nature Club on Saturday, August 22 for the Rutkowski Park Community Cleanup! It's one of our most unique volunteer events of the year!

Whether you're coming from Hudson, Bergen, Essex, Passaic, Union, Morris, or anywhere else in the region, we'd love to have you join us for a day of restoring one of New Jersey's most important urban wetlands.

🛶 Canoe Cleanup – Paddle through the marsh while removing litter from places that can't be reached on foot. Canoe spots are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

🌿 Land Cleanup – Help restore the shoreline and park while supporting our volunteers out on the water. Open to all ages and experience levels!

📅 Saturday, August 22
🕘 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Rutkowski Park
Hackensack RiverWalk off Route 440 South
Bayonne, NJ

We'll provide gloves, grabbers, bags, canoes, life jackets, and everything else you'll need. Just wear closed-toe shoes and clothes you don't mind getting a little muddy.

Every volunteer makes a difference. Together we'll remove litter before it reaches Newark Bay and the Atlantic Ocean while helping protect fish, birds, turtles, and other wildlife that call these wetlands home.

👉 Register today: https://www.hackensackriverkeeper.org/rivercleanupprogram

Bring your family, invite a friend, and help us keep the Hackensack River watershed clean, because protecting our waterways is something we can all be proud of.

🐝 We had a wonderful time celebrating the 6th Annual National Honey Bee Day Celebration with our friends at the Englewoo...
08/19/2026

🐝 We had a wonderful time celebrating the 6th Annual National Honey Bee Day Celebration with our friends at the Englewood Environmental Commission, Englewood Green Team, and Englewood Public Library!

Hackensack Riverkeeper was proud to donate one of our rain barrels for the event raffle and to talk about how rain barrels help reduce stormwater runoff, conserve water, and keep pollution out of our local rivers and streams. Every drop we keep out of the storm drain helps protect the Hackensack River watershed.

A big thank you to everyone who stopped by our table, asked questions to Henry Washington and Isaiah Leach, and celebrated the importance of pollinators and healthy ecosystems with us. Congratulations to the lucky rain barrel winner!!! we hope it serves you (and the environment) to BEE well! 🌧️🌼🐝

What a day on Lake Tappan Reservoir! Our annual Paddling Day event welcomed a sold-out crowd this past Saturday, giving ...
08/03/2026

What a day on Lake Tappan Reservoir! Our annual Paddling Day event welcomed a sold-out crowd this past Saturday, giving participants a rare, once-a-year opportunity to paddle and enjoy this beautiful reservoir. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this unforgettable experience!

A special thank you to Veolia - Water North Jersey for helping us plan and host this incredible event. We also extend our sincere appreciation to the Borough of Old Tappan Fire Department, EMS, and Police Department for helping keep everyone safe on the water throughout the day. Additionally, we would like to thank Inserra Supermarkets Inc. for donating gourmet sandwiches to keep our participants fueled up throughout the day!

Last Friday, Hugh Carola, Tyler Tierney, Jimmy Macaluso, Isaiah Leach, and Donna Climent set out on the Hackensack, trav...
07/16/2026

Last Friday, Hugh Carola, Tyler Tierney, Jimmy Macaluso, Isaiah Leach, and Donna Climent set out on the Hackensack, traveling downriver from Secaucus to the tip of Bayonne to conduct our annual Osprey, Black-backed Gull, and Double-crested Cormorant nest survey. Along the way, the team documented nesting activity, counted nestlings, and gathered important data that helps us better understand and protect the wildlife that calls our watershed home.

We’ll be sharing the full survey results and detailed findings in the next issue of Tidelines, but for now, we wanted to share a glimpse of the incredible natural beauty thriving right here in our own urban estuary. Among the highlights from this excursion were the discovery of a colony of nesting Common Terns and a Brown Booby—both found within the Newark Bay Estuary.

This important work is made possible by our supporters and donors, who enable us to continue exploring, documenting, and protecting the Hackensack River. If you’d like to be part of this effort, please consider making a contribution today. Every gift helps us continue protecting the incredible biodiversity of our watershed.

https://bit.ly/HRIDonate

Photo Credit = Tyler Tierney

⚠️ EVENT UPDATE: Woodland Park Community Cleanup Postponed ⚠️Unfortunately, tomorrow's Woodland Park Community Cleanup (...
07/10/2026

⚠️ EVENT UPDATE: Woodland Park Community Cleanup Postponed ⚠️

Unfortunately, tomorrow's Woodland Park Community Cleanup (July 11) has been postponed.

After assessing conditions at the site today, we've determined that recent rainfall has significantly reduced water visibility, making it difficult to safely and effectively remove submerged debris. In addition, recent thunderstorms and the nearby Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) have raised concerns about elevated bacteria levels in the river.

While we're disappointed to postpone this event, the safety of our volunteers always comes first.

This cleanup will be rescheduled for a later date, likely during a cooler month when conditions are more favorable. The site remains a high priority, and we're excited to return when we can make the greatest impact.

Thank you for your understanding, and please keep an eye on our website and social media pages for future cleanup opportunities. We look forward to seeing you at an upcoming event!

🌊 Woodland Park Community Cleanup – Saturday, July 11 🌿Join Hackensack Riverkeeper as we head back to the Passaic River ...
07/07/2026

🌊 Woodland Park Community Cleanup – Saturday, July 11 🌿

Join Hackensack Riverkeeper as we head back to the Passaic River for what will be our final cleanup of one of our sister rivers this year!

This section of the Passaic River has accumulated years of litter and debris, including numerous discarded tires, and we're looking for volunteers who are ready to make a real impact on the river and surrounding community.

👕 Please wear clothes and closed-toe shoes that you don't mind getting wet and dirty. We expect to encounter muddy conditions, and volunteers should be prepared for hands-on cleanup work.

CANOE/KAYAK seats are limited. We encourage you to bring your own if you have one, as ours are first come first serve.

https://www.cognitoforms.com/HackensackRiverkeeperInc/_07112026WoodlandParkPassaicCommunityCleanup

📅 Saturday, July 11
🕙 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 1150 McBride Ave, Woodland Park, NJ 07424

Happy Fourth of July weekend from all of us at Hackensack Riverkeeper! Wishing you a safe, fun, and relaxing holiday as ...
07/05/2026

Happy Fourth of July weekend from all of us at Hackensack Riverkeeper! Wishing you a safe, fun, and relaxing holiday as we celebrate our nation’s independence 🇺🇸 🎆

Address

206 Main Street
Hackensack, NJ
07601

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6pm
Tuesday 10am - 6pm
Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
Friday 10am - 6pm

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