The 2026 Hackensack River Nation Summit and Environmental Fair made an impact! The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation (NNJCF) produced the event, bringing together more than 100 public officials and environmental scholars, advocates, experts, and students for the Summit. The event was held on April 28 at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck. Participants were united by a shared commitment to protect the Hackensack River watershed and connect communities to one of North Jersey’s most vital natural resources.
2026 Hackensack River Nation Summit Tackled Environmental Challenges
The 2026 Hackensack River Nation Summit featured a comprehensive program of eight interactive sessions. Each session covered a wide range of environmental topics. Experts from environmental organizations and government agencies led all sessions. These professionals actively work on critical environmental issues. In addition, the Summit’s sessions engaged participants in meaningful dialogue with environmental experts and peers.
Environmental leaders attended the 2026 Hackensack River Nation Summit.
Each session encouraged attendees to ask questions, share insights, and build collaborative relationships. Moreover, this interactive format ensured participants departed the Summit with actionable knowledge and also their expanded networks.
Furthermore, the topics included environmental leadership, financing stormwater management, and the Lower Hackensack River Superfund cleanup. In fact, participants also explored community mobilization strategies, policy influence and advocacy, stormwater utilities and flood reduction solutions, environmental art and public health, and community-engaged science initiatives.
In addition, the Environmental Fair, a free event open to the public, complemented the Summit. More than a dozen organizations and groups participated in the Fair. These groups also work to make the region greener, cleaner, and healthier. For more information about the 2026 Hackensack River Nation Summit, access the complete agenda of speakers and sessions to view the program’sdetails.
The State of the Hackensack River
During the 2026 Hackensack River Nation Summit, Captain Hugh Carola, Program Director of Hackensack Riverkeeper, delivered the keynote address titled “The State of the Hackensack River”. Notably, his insights set the tone for a full day of action-oriented conversations focused on environmental stewardship and watershed protection. Captain Carola’s leadership in river advocacy provided attendees with a compelling vision of the river’s current status and also the future of the Hackensack River ecosystem.
2026 Hackensack River Nation Summit’s Attendees Rated Experience Highly
Attendees completed a survey that revealed strong satisfaction with the event. Ninety-four percent of survey respondents said they enjoyed the Summit. Eighty-eight percent said they made valuable connections. Furthermore, the feedback demonstrated the Summit’s impact on participants and their commitment to continued engagement. Overall, looking ahead, 93% said they would attend a Summit in the future. Here is what some of the participants said:
“Great networking opportunity.” “Extremely informative.” “Enjoyed the exhibitors and conversations. Time for networking & coffee breaks was appreciated.”
For more information about the 2026 Hackensack River Nation Summit, contact NNJCF’s executive director, Leonardo Vazaquez, AICP/PP, at leo@nnjcf.org or 201-568-5608 extension 2.
