RESEARCH, RESTORATION AND INNOVATION
The Meadowlands Research and Restoration Institute (MRRI) serves as the scientific arm of the NJSEA.
Our scientists “to protect the delicate balance of nature,” work to protect and study the Meadowlands’ vital natural resources, with a special interest in preparing the District for the effects of climate change and sea level rise.
The Meadowlands Research and Restoration Institute serves as the scientific arm of the NJSEA. This team of scientists works to protect and study the Meadowlands District’s vital natural resources, with a special interest in preparing the District for the effects of climate change and sea level rise. The team collects, analyzes and publishes real time data collected from the Hackensack River and the associated habitats of the Meadowlands Estuary to promote, restore, and preserve the unique wildlife habitats, provide actionable information to scientists and the public, encourage climate awareness, and empower community advocacy.
MRRI collects, analyzes, creates, and publishes real time data from the Hackensack Meadowlands Estuary in order to promote, restore, and preserve the region, provide actionable information to scientists and the public, encourage climate awareness, and empower community advocacy.
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What We Do
Research
Produce credible and salient science that protects the air and water, and increases the biodiversity and adaptive capacity of the Meadowlands.
Innovate
Commit to the use of proven best practices while supporting the research and implementation of innovative practices.
Restore
Develop potential restoration ideas and opportunities to assist with the recovery of the Meadowlands’ ecosystem and protect the delicate balance of nature.
What We Do
TRAIN
Train environmental scientists by addressing the environmental problems of the Hackensack Estuary.
Develop
Apply and develop new technologies to address the legacy of environmental problems in the Meadowlands.
Promote
Promote regional gathering and sharing of planning and environmental information.
Photo Of The Day
Resources
MRRI Scientist gives talk at Restore America’s Estuaries 2026 Summit
Ildiko C. Pechmann, PhD, of MRRI presented a comprehensive assessment of wetlands in the Lower Hackensack Estuary at the Restore America’s Estuaries 2026 Summit in San Francisco on September 24, 2026. The conference convened practitioners, scientists, and representatives from state and federal agencies to discuss strategies to restore and protect coastal wetlands. Sessions highlighted emerging
Measuring Carbon Sequestration and Emissions at a Wetland Restoration Site
At the intertidal zone of Saw Mill Creek, new monitoring equipment has been installed to precisely track changes in carbon sink strength – that is, the balance of carbon sequestration and emissions – over a 4- to 5-year wetland restoration. This robust instrument cluster includes a tower fitted with an open-path CO2/H2O analyzer, a 3D
Seasonal Water Quality Monitoring Begins for Summer 2026
On July 22nd, MRRI’s lab staff began their work collecting water samples from the Hackensack River for the 2026 summer season. This is a continuation of our seasonal water quality monitoring efforts which have been ongoing since 1993. Each season, water samples are collected from various points along the Hackensack River & its tributaries as
Final Retrieval of Sediment Traps Complete
On June 18th, MRRI staff completed the final retrieval of a suspended sediment trap deployed in Anderson Creek as part of an ongoing EPA study examining the movement of contaminated sediments within the lower Hackensack River estuary. The bi-directional sediment trap was installed to collect suspended particles transported by flood and ebb tides independently. This