A cross-sector alliance of leaders, organizations, agencies and others that want to protect the Hackensack River watershed and make the river a better place for all.
A cross-sector alliance of leaders, organizations, agencies and others that want to protect the Hackensack River watershed and make the river a better place for all.The Hackensack River watershed is an area of 197 square miles that includes 59 municipalities in Bergen, Hudson and Rockland counties. Hackensack River Nation (HRN) brings together organizations, groups and individuals who want to:
- Have a healthier ecosystem and cleaner water,
- Connect more residents to the Hackensack river, or
- Promote more environmentally-friendly economic and community development.
Hackensack River Nation works to:
- Strengthen the influence of its members and allies with public officials,
- Build collaborations that lead to new or better projects, programs or policies,
- Educate its members on a wide variety of topics to help advance their cause,
- And more.
About Hackensack River Nation
The Hackensack River is a special place. This North Jersey artery has nurtured people for more than 10,000 years, supported a diverse ecosystem for even longer, and helped build the prosperity that so many people in Bergen and Hudson counties enjoy.
Yet despite this, too many business leaders and public officials over the past three centuries have treated the river as a dump site, killing off native wildlife and causing so many people to figuratively turn their backs to the river.
Hackensack River Nation, established in 2024 by the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation and several partner organizations, is dedicated to raising awareness and improving the health of the Hackensack River and its 197-square-mile watershed, which spans northeastern New Jersey and southern New York. With nearly 60 percent of the watershed in Bergen County and around one million people relying on its reservoirs for drinking water. This collaborative effort seeks to underscore the power of unity and set a precedent for community-driven environmental stewardship for problem areas like pollution, flooding and overdevelopment. We also strive to develop a shared vision for the future of the Hackensack River and the watershed.
Inspired by the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation’s philosophy, “What can we do together that we can’t alone?”, the Hackensack River Nation brings together municipalities, public agencies, nonprofits, businesses, educational institutions, and community organizations. This collective effort aims to enhance the watershed’s health and accessibility through collaboration.
Steering Committee
Captain Hugh Carola, Hackensack Riverkeeper
Danielle De Laurentis, Associate Director, Northern New Jersey Community Foundation
Professor Marion McClary, Ph.D., Fairleigh Dickinson University
Councilwoman Lisa Sandhusen, Borough of New Milford
Michael Shannon, President, Northern New Jersey Community Foundation
Captain Bill Sheehan, Hackensack Riverkeeper
HRN Organizer: Leonardo Vazquez, AICP/PP, Executive Director, Northern New Jersey Community Foundation
HRN Consultant: Maureen Vanacore, Arts Consultant, Northern New Jersey Community Foundation
Events and news
The Hackensack River Nation Council meets every three months – March, June, September and December – on the third Wednesday of the month.
Hackensack River Nation hosts the Hackensack River Nation Summit, a gathering of up to 100 leaders to explore issues such as stormwater management, development regulations, the Hackensack River Superfund cleanup and more. The 2025 Summit will be February 25 at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck. To get updates on the Summit, please subscribe to the NNJCF newsletter.
To learn about the Summit and other environmental events connected to Hackensack River Nation, please go to the NNJCF’s Events page
To get public updates on Hackensack River Nation, visit the NNJCF news page.
Get Involved
Contact
Group organizer: Leo Vazquez, Executive Director, Northern New Jersey Community Foundation, leo@nnjcf.org or 201-388-9212
Become a member
The Hackensack River Nation Council meets every three months – December, March, June and September – on the third Wednesday of the month. Meetings are usually hybrid (in person with an online attendance option). There is no charge to become a member.
After you become a member, you will be invited to join the Hackensack River Nation Council Facebook page, where you can connect with other HRN Council members.
We welcome you to become part of Hackensack River Nation if you share our goals and:
- Are an elected or appointed official in a municipality or county in the watershed
- Work for a state agency interested in the goals of HRN
- Are involved with an environmental nonprofit, environmental commission or green team in the watershed
- Work for a school, college or university in the watershed
- Are a leader in a business or nonprofit organization in the watershed.
Fill out this short form to be a member of the Hackensack River Nation Council.
Joining the alliance offers several benefits:
- Expert Education: Learn from specialists in environmental fields.
- Community Visioning: Contribute to shaping the future of the Hackensack River corridor.
- Advocacy and Funding: Develop a unified voice for advocating and securing funding for watershed initiatives.
- EPA Collaboration: Provide input into the USEPA’s planning for the Lower Hackensack River Superfund Site.
- Information Sharing: Exchange information about your programs and services with other stakeholders.
By combining resources and expertise, the Hackensack River Nation will create a sustainable and inclusive environment where both nature and communities can thrive side by side. This proactive approach not only tackles current ecological challenges but also ensures future generations can enjoy and protect the region’s natural beauty. Together, we can achieve far more than we could alone, fostering a healthier, more vibrant ecosystem for all.
