The mission of the New York-New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program is to bring the benefits of the Clean Water Act to the people who live, work, and recreate on our shared waterways. For the past 10 years, the Estuary Program has tried to meet this mission by focusing its work on environmental issues related to improving water quality, habitat and ecological health, port and maritime use, public access and stewardship, and community engagement.
It’s now time to revisit the Estuary Program’s work, which has been accomplished through an extensive range of community partnerships, and plan for the next 10 years. The Estuary Program is launching an updated action agenda, a blueprint to guide and improve future management decisions across the estuary. To make sure that this new plan addresses the needs of the estuary and all of its communities, the planners want to hear from our many community and stewardship partners.
Hackensack Riverkeeper and the Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County are inviting area residents and stakeholders to attend this presentation on Thursday, May 30, 7 pm, at the Ethical Culture meetinghouse, 687 Larch Ave., Teaneck, NJ.
The event will start with a 20-minute presentation by the Hudson River Foundation on the goals of their program, the state of the estuary, and their action agenda currently in formation. This will be followed by small-group discussions to garner community input.
Some of the questions up for discussion
What’s your favorite way or place to access nature within our Estuary? What else do you value about your local waterways?
Do you wish you had more and/or different opportunities to experience the natural environment? What kind of opportunities come to mind?
Are there challenges/obstacles that may get in the way of realizing those opportunities from happening in your community?
What are other concerns or stressors that your community is currently facing? How has climate change impacted your community? Are there places/sites in your community where these concerns are more prevalent?
If you could pick one change that’s necessary to have a greener, healthier and more resilient community – what would that be?
Refreshments will be provided. The Society’s meetinghouse is 687 Larch Ave., at the corner of North and Larch in Teaneck. The entrance is on North Street. Plenty of free parking is available in the parking lot and on the street.
Society Leader Curt Collier