Advocacy
NY/NJ Baykeeper was the pioneer of oyster restoration in New Jersey’s portion of the Raritan Bay and created the very first living shoreline in New Jersey’s portion of the Raritan Bay.
To date, our Advocacy has
New Oysters per year
Oysters to NY/NJ Harbor Waters
EcoVolunteers to our Bronx River oyster reef
Liberty State Park
NY/NJ Baykeeper and our close partners, Friends of Liberty State Park have been advocating to keep Liberty State Park free and green for the enjoyment of local community members. Within the park is a sandy beach natural area called Caven Point, a haven for wildlife including migratory bird species. For years, the owner of the neighboring Liberty National Golf Club has tried to acquire Caven Point to relocate three golf holes. The Caven Point Protection Act, S-2956/A-4468 was introduced which would preserve Caven Point for future generations by designating it a state natural habitat. Contact Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin to send the bill to the Environment and Solid waste Committee to review and approve it! Email: [email protected]. Learn more about Liberty State Park here.
Lower Passaic River Cleanup
The Diamond Alkali/Tierra Solutions/Occidental Chemical Superfund site on the Passaic River and Newark Bay is the most dioxin contaminated water site in the country. NY/NJ Baykeeper is co-chair of the Passaic River Superfund Citizens Advisory Group (CAG) which provides advice and cleanup and restoration recommendations to the Environmental Protection Agency and its Partner Agencies. NY/NJ Baykeeper fights to hold all pollution contributors legally responsible for the harmful damage at the Superfund site.
Plastic Pollution
To prevent plastic pollution from entering our waterways, we must stop it at its source. Due in part from Baykeeper’s research and advocacy, Governor Murphy signed the strongest and comprehensive plastics reduction law in the country in November 2020.
Stormwater and Combined Sewer Overflows
Every year at least 24 billion gallons of untreated raw sewage are dumped into New Jersey’s rivers, mainly the Hudson, Passaic, Hackensack, Raritan, and Delaware rivers. As little as a twentieth of an inch of rain can send dangerous mix of bacteria and pollutants straight into many of New Jersey’s rivers. Our staff is working toward a future where zero combined sewer outfalls are discharging raw sewage into our waterways by working with Newark DIG and reviewing CSO permits.
The Story of an Oyster Reef Experience - Virtual Reality
Learn MoreWatch Shellshocked: Saving Oysters to Save Ourselves
Featuring Meredith Comi, NY/NJ Baykeeper’s Restoration Program Director.
Learn More