2001: An Eco-Cruise* Odyssey
Thousands of people served by Riverkeeper during record-setting year
*Canoe Project and Eco-Walks, too!
by Hugh M. Carola
I prided myself on resisting the temptation to refer to the great Arthur C. Clarke novel and groundbreaking Stanley Kubrick film this year but upon reviewing the results of our field programs, I couldn't help myself.
This was truly a "watershed" year for Hackensack Riverkeeper and our mission to bring people and the Hackensack River together. So, without further ado, here's the story:
The Eco-Walk Program
More than 360 students and teachers took part in Eco-Walks at Laurel Hill Park in Secaucus which were led in conjunction with Eco-Cruises. By offering "surf and turf" field trips, Hackensack Riverkeeper can accommodate school groups of up to forty or more and provide a quality educational experience.
Fifty-two people took part in Eco-Walks at the Mehrhof Pond Nature Trail in Little Ferry and a final walk is scheduled for December 8. Unfortunately we had to cancel 2 walks (for thirty people) because of weather.
The Canoe Project
Having just finished its third year of operation, the Hackensack Riverkeeper Canoe Project put over 400 people into canoes and out in the marsh. According to Project Manager Jared Eudell, those folks made 100 separate rental agreements and logged over 950 river hours between April 14th until October 28th . We maintain a perfect safety record.
In addition to the Laurel Hill-based canoe livery, Hackensack Riverkeeper canoes also took part in Ridgefield Park's Earth Day celebration, the annual "Hooked on the Hudson" Day at Ross Dock in Fort Lee, our riverfront cleanup at Hackensack River County Park in Hackensack and community paddles in Leonia and Teaneck.
The Eco-Cruise Program
I had to triple-check my math but the bottom line is that at least 3,020 people took Eco-Cruises aboard the "Robert H. Boyle" in 2001. Of that number, 2,340 adults and children went out on 156 separate Eco-Cruises; over 500 people came aboard during the two festivals of this past year; and 180 students and adults participated in the 2001 Urban Fishing Program.
Twenty-eight open Eco-Cruises were scheduled; all were sold out; and only 4 were cancelled because of bad weather.
Sixty-three Eco-Cruises were conducted for school/Scout groups totaling 1,125 students.
Twenty-five student Eco-Cruises were provided for through the generosity of Shop-Rite Supermarkets.
Special Eco-Cruises were conducted for the US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, Congressman Steve Rothman, the NJ State Attorney General's Office, NJDEP Division of Watershed Management, NJDEP Watershed Ambassador Program, the City of Newark, Kearny Mayor Albert Santos, and for members of the press.
Please note that the number of Eco-Cruise passengers is based on the average of 15 persons per trip.
All said, we gave nearly 4,000 people an up-close and personal experience of the Hackensack River and the Meadowlands. When the season started, we had no idea that we would serve so many people and now that it's over, we can hardly believe it. And next year you can expect more open Eco-Walk and Eco-Cruise dates as well as scheduled guided canoe trips through the Sawmill Creek Wildlife Management Area. That's just some of what Hackensack Riverkeeper has in store, so if you missed out this year, don't worry because we'll see you on the river or on the trail in 2002!