Chris Evangelista Students enrolled in an environmental science class at Rutgers University Newark, led by Professor Adam Kuska, visited the Meadowlands to explore environmental monitoring of water quality in the lower Hackensack River. The students analyzed measurements of dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, salinity, and temperature during their visit. These hands-on experiences allow environmental science students to apply … Read more
As part of MRRI’s spatial data collection campaign, GIS specialists are surveying trails and berms utilizing a GPS Rover Wheel to optimize continuous surface elevation collection over uneven terrain. The rover wheel construction enables us to collect high quality surface elevation data, as this accessory keeps the rover rod on the surface, while allows surveyors … Read more
MRRI has started a district wide tide gate and berm inspection campaign in the Lower Hackensack River Estuary. MRRI GIS specialists are working with engineers from Storm Water Management to assess the current status of flood protection structures that are crucial for the area’s flood hazard mitigation. The Hackensack Meadows are historically prone to flooding … Read more
MRRI staff is building a boardwalk in Losen Slote Park to provide better access to park goers throughout the year, and to protect vernal pool habitat.
MRRI is now monitoring 9 different tide gates in the Meadowlands district. The newest tide gate station was deployed March 18th between the NJSEA impoundment and Saw Mill Creek, which is a tributary of the Hackensack River. Each of the tide gates measure the water depth on both the land and riversides to make sure the … Read more
At the 2024 Ocean Sciences Meeting (February 18-23, 2024), Cheryl Yao, Meadowlands Research and Restoration Institute (MRRI) Chief Chemist/Laboratory Supervisor, presented MRRI’s research, “Greenhouse Gas Emissions from the Tidal Wetlands in the Meadowlands of New Jersey: Effects of wetland surface types, salinity, and season.” This study is supported by US EPA Wetland Grant and investigated … Read more
MRRI scientists worked with Pratt Institute’s Master of Landscape Architecture students to prepare for upcoming field work by building experimental floating wetlands and eel mops. The eel mops will be used this winter and early spring to survey grass eels migrating from the Sargasso Sea up the Hackensack River. The eel mops mimic suitable habitat … Read more
Coastal marsh ecosystems are in danger of disappearing if the sea level rise is greater than the marsh’s surface elevation change. Every year for the past 15 years we measure marsh surface elevation to see how marshlands are keeping up with sea level rise. In 2023, we measured six sites. Sites monitored for less than … Read more
On Sunday, Oct. 1, some 300 bird enthusiasts attended the 14th Annual Meadowlands Birding Festival at DeKorte Park. The event, co-sponsored by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority and the Bergen County Audubon Society, featured guided walks, several talks and presentations, information tables with a plethora of avian information, and kid’s activity stations. A … Read more