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 soans northeastern New Jersev and southern New York.

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.

Produced by NNJCF.