Three Films Feature Hackensack River Recovery
There are three very special documentaries now available for
viewing that features the recovery of the Hackensack River and the work of
Hackensack Riverkeeper. All can be purchased by contacting us at 201-968-0808
or at www.HackensackRiverkeeper.org
Building A Meadowlands Tells
Story of Consensus, Open Space Preservation
Don’t miss this compelling new film that documents the
“battle” between Mills Corporation, a multinational developer, and Hackensack
Riverkeeper and other local environmental groups over Meadowlands Mills, the
proposed mega-mall once slated to be built on a 587-acre parcel of wetlands
located in Carlstadt, NJ, known as the Empire Tract. The two sides move from
positions of intransigence to a shared consensus allowing for the achievement
of mutual goals. The film, in addition to providing a concise history of the
Hackensack watershed including its degradation and recovery, presents a great
model for conflict resolution.
“Building A Meadowlands” is a Rocket Production, produced
and filmed by Scott Dennis. It is available for loan at all Hackensack
watershed public libraries, or can be purchased (DVD format) by calling the
Hackensack Riverkeeper office at 201-968-0808, or sending a check to Hackensack
Riverkeeper, to 231 Main Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601, for $15.00, (includes
tax and 1st Class shipping via U.S. mail).
Turning the
Tide:
A Critical
Natural Resource Makes A Comeback On NJN Public Television
Monday, May 8, at 9 pm; rebroadcast Saturday, May 13, at 3
pm
The Meadowlands and its incredible story of recovery is the
subject of NJN’s latest documentary, Turning the Tide. It takes the viewer on a
visual journey down the rivers and streams that wind through New Jersey’s open
spaces, under bridges and roadways, past towns and historic sites, and near
habitat that is home to numerous bird species. Since the time of the Pilgrims,
more than half of the wetlands in the lower 48 states have been destroyed.
Often misunderstood, America’s wetlands were commonly seen as wastelands – too
wet to be easily built upon or farmed, yet a perfect breeding ground for
mosquitoes. Now recognized as a critical natural resource, the tide is turning
for the state’s urban wetlands. This change in attitude has inspired individual
action as well as major policy changes to help protect, preserve and revitalize
these special places.
Turning the Tide is filled with surprises. The documentary
showcases the hidden beauty of the tidal areas in and around the Hackensack
Meadowlands of northern New Jersey and the Hamilton-Trenton Marsh just south of
the state capital of Trenton. The program follows scientists, senior citizens
and young children as they visit these wetlands and discover wilderness areas
that are home to a rich variety of wildlife. Once considered worthless, these
neglected places are making a dramatic recovery.
Travel these wetlands with NJN and be surprised at what can
be seen. The 30-minute program was shot in high definition and debuts on NJN on
Monday, May 8, at 9 pm with a rebroadcast on Saturday, May 13 at 3 pm. The
program is web streamed and archived on the NJN web site at njn.net and can be
seen on NJN’s JerseyVision and on Time Warner Cable on channel 750 in New York.
Turning the Tide is co-produced by Lynn Kosek Walker,
writer, and Bob Szuter, editor. The executive producer is Janice Selinger, and
the narrator is Avery Brooks with the original music composed by Robert Sands.
The camera and audio team includes Mike Budd, Paul Horvath, Aubrey J. Kauffman,
Scott Neall and Jeff Reisly.
Major funding for Turning the Tide was provided by the New
Jersey Meadowlands Commission with additional funding provided by the Geraldine
R. Dodge Foundation.
Secaucus Middle School Wins National Award For Video About Hackensack
Riverkeeper
Secaucus Middle School is one of 12 schools nationwide to
win the 2006 New Vision Award from the Kid Witness News (KWN) program sponsored
by Panasonic. Secaucus Middle School won “Spotlight Award” in the Local Hero
category for a feature called “Riverkeeper,” about Hackensack Riverkeeper’s
Bill Sheehan.
Kid Witness News (KWN) is a hands-on video education program
created to encourage students to develop valuable cognitive, communication and
organizational skills through the use of video. This unique program provides
schools with an array of video equipment and offers participants the
opportunity to develop their interests, abilities and creativity through the
production of videos.
“The kids did a fantastic job in capturing the essence of Hackensack
Riverkeeper’s work and the truly amazing story behind the recovery of the
Hackensack River,” said Captain Bill Sheehan, executive director of Hackensack
Riverkeeper and the subject of Secaucus Middle School’s video project. “I’m so
proud of these young people. They live right on the river and they ‘get it,’
they understand how vitally important it is for each of us to take
responsibility for protecting this and all of our natural resources.”
Kid Witness News was developed and is supported by Panasonic
in conjunction with the public school system in more than 225 participating
schools. Under teacher supervision, students research, write, act in, produce,
direct and edit a variety of videos which bring to life subjects they are
learning about in school and in their everyday experiences. The students’
videos feature current events, news reports, public service announcements and
interviews with prominent individuals, as well as many other topics which are
relevant to today’s youth. Their creative works are then submitted for review
in the annual “New Vision” awards video contest.
Each year, the “best of the best” videos are honored at the
annual Kid Witness News New Vision Awards Ceremony. Videos submitted for the
New Vision Awards are reviewed by students from Columbia University’s School of
the Arts Film Division, and the top three finalists in each category are
submitted for a final round of judging by an independent panel of
professionals.