The Meadowlands is the largest tract of contiguous open space in the New York Metropolitan area. It is the estuary of the Hackensack River and lies within parts of 14 municipalities in Bergen and Hudson Counties from Little Ferry and Ridgefield Park in the North to Kearny and Jersey City in the South. Of the 8,500 remaining acres of wetlands and open water in the Meadowlands, only the 900 acres of the Sawmill Creek Wildlife Management Area are permanently preserved. The Hackensack Meadowlands Partnership's goal is to save this open space by creating a Meadowlands National Wildlife Refuge and Park, preserving the land for generations to come.
Wetlands serve as both flood retention areas and aquifer recharge areas.
Now is the critical moment for establishing the Hackensack Meadowlands Refuge and Park. Environmental advocates have succeeded so far in preventing this tragedy, but our efforts must continue and we must ensure the permanent protection of the Mills Site and the rest of the Meadowlands. Join us in realizing our goal to secure a Hackensack Meadowlands Wildlife Refuge and Park. Become one of thousands from business, the environment, and municipal and county government who have come together to save this special area from further degradation by development. As a partner you will also be a leader in regional habitat preservation and open space planning.