Environmental Leaders to Unite for Watershed Protection and Climate Resilience

Environmental champions, government officials, and community leaders are invited to join the region's most dynamic environmental conference coming this spring to Northern New Jersey. The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation(NNJCF) will host the second annual Hackensack River Nation Summit 2026 on Tuesday, April 28, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Fairleigh Dickinson University in the Student Union Building located at 1000 River Road, Teaneck, New Jersey. The Summit is expected to attract environmental leaders, public officials, and business innovators, who are united by a shared commitment to protect the Hackensack River watershed and connect communities to one of North Jersey's most vital natural resources.

This year's Summit takes on heightened significance as it aligns with World Climate Day on March 23, and its urgent call for climate action and community engagement in addressing climate change challenges. The Summit will provide participants with ideas and help them find collaborators to assist their communities in better adapting to and responding to the impact of climate change.

"With climate change, we expect more intense storms and hotter summers, resulting in more flooding and oppressive heat. The Summit will provide ideas and help participants find collaborators to work with their communities to adapt and respond better to climate change," said Leonardo Vazquez, AICP/PP, Executive Director of the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation.

Opening with Vision: A Powerful Keynote on the River's Future

Captain Bill Sheehan, Executive Director of Hackensack Riverkeeper, will deliver the keynote address, "The State of the Hackensack River." His insights will set the tone for a full day of action-oriented conversations focused on environmental stewardship and watershed protection during a time of climate change. Captain Sheehan's leadership in river advocacy will provide attendees with a compelling vision on the status of the river and for the future of the Hackensack River ecosystem.

Interactive Sessions Tackling Real Environmental Challenges

The Summit features a comprehensive program of interactive sessions designed to engage participants in meaningful dialogue with environmental experts and peers. Each session encourages attendees to ask questions, share insights, and build collaborative relationships. Topics include community mobilization strategies, policy influence and advocacy, progress on the Hackensack River Superfund cleanup, stormwater utilities and flood reduction solutions to address climate-driven precipitation changes, environmental art and public health, and community-engaged science initiatives. Sessions will address how communities can prepare for and adapt to climate change and increased flooding, extreme heat events, and water quality challenges. For example, the session on stormwater utilities will help participants understand and promote a sustainable and fair method of financing strategies to reduce flooding.

All sessions are led by experts from leading environmental organizations and government agencies who are actively working on these critical issues. This interactive format ensures participants leave the Summit with actionable knowledge, adaptation strategies, and expanded networks. The complete agenda of speakers and sessions may be found online.

The ECOllab: A New Collaboration Platform

New this year, the Summit features the ECOllab, an innovative networking initiative designed to foster environmental collaboration and partnership. Through the ECOllab, Summit participants can post calls for collaboration and support on a wide range of environmental projects and initiatives. Whether seeking volunteers for river cleanups, building coalitions for policy advocacy, identifying partners for environmental research, or developing climate adaptation strategies to help communities prepare for more intense storms, participants can connect with fellow attendees during lunch breaks and between sessions. This platform transforms the Summit into a hub for launching new environmental partnerships and initiatives that will extend far beyond the day of the event.

Nationally and Regionally Recognized Speakers and Partners

The Summit brings together leading voices in environmental protection and watershed management. Speakers represent prestigious organizations, including the United States Environmental Protection Agency, New Jersey Water Resources Research Institute at Rutgers NJAES, Jersey Water Works, Sustainable Jersey, Hackensack Riverkeeper, and the Rutgers Center for Environmental Exposure and Diseases. Public officials from Teaneck, New Milford, Maplewood, and Raritan will also share their perspectives on local environmental priorities. The Summit is co-designed by Fairleigh Dickinson University, Hackensack Riverkeeper, Jersey Water Works, and New Jersey Water Resources Research Institute at Rutgers NJAES, ensuring the program reflects the expertise and priorities of leading academic and nonprofit institutions in the region.

Free Environmental Fair: Open to the Entire Community

Although the Summit is open only to registered ticket holders, the Environmental Fair will be held at the same time and location and is free and open to the public. The Environmental Fair provides an opportunity for community members to learn about and connect with environmental organizations working throughout the region. Environmental organizations and agencies from across the Hackensack River watershed will exhibit and provide information about their missions and volunteer opportunities. The Environmental Fair ensures the Summit's impact extends beyond registered participants to reach the broader North Jersey community and empowers residents to act on climate change.

Registration and Ticket Information

Participants can register online. The NNJCF established tiered pricing to ensure accessibility for diverse participants:

• General public tickets: $80
• Government and large organizations: $60
• Small nonprofits and community volunteer groups: $40

Special early registration tiered ticket prices are available through April 15.

Hackensack River Nation

The Hackensack River Nation Summit is the signature event of the Hackensack River Nation (HRN), an alliance of leaders from government, nonprofits, colleges and universities, and businesses who are collaborating to protect the Hackensack River watershed and connect more people to the river. The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation leads HRN and produces the Summit in partnership with Fairleigh Dickinson University, Hackensack Riverkeeper, Jersey Water Works, and New Jersey Water Resources Research Institute at Rutgers NJAES. All proceeds from the Summit and Environmental Fair support environmental programs offered by the NNJCF and the program's co-designing organizations, ensuring the event generates direct benefits for environmental initiatives throughout the region.

Sponsorships and Donations Welcome

The NNJCF is actively seeking sponsors and donations to support the Hackensack River Nation Summit 2026 and to expand environmental, climate resilience programs throughout North Jersey. Current sponsors include M&T Charitable Foundation, Dimension Energy, EcoClean Guardians, Black & Veatch, Nishuane Group, and Princeton Hydro. Donations of any size are welcome and make a meaningful difference in protecting the Hackensack River watershed.

To make a contribution, donors can donate online at or send a check made payable to "The Northern N.J. Community Foundation" with "Hackensack River Nation Summit" noted in the memo line to: Northern New Jersey Community Foundation 1 University Plaza, Suite 102 Hackensack, New Jersey 07601

For information about sponsorship opportunities, contact the NNJCF at 201-568-5608 or nnjcf@nnjcf.org.

For more information about the Summit, Hackensack River Nation, or the NNJCF, contact Leonardo Vazquez, AICP/PP, Executive Director of the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation, at leo@nnjcf.org or 201-568-5608 extension 2. To learn about sponsorships, donations, or the NNJCF, call 201-568-5608 or send an email to nnjcf@nnjcf.org.