Northern New Jersey development occurred over the course of three centuries, and today, Bergen County is one of the most densely populated counties in the U.S. Concomitant with development and a population explosion are social and environmental challenges – congestion and traffic, residential housing mandates, high taxes, water and air quality issues, and inappropriate land use decisions. These problems are exacerbated by a changing climate and extreme weather conditions, ranging from drought to deluge.
These challenges cannot be solved by a single municipality – a regional response is needed. Northern New Jersey Community Foundation (NNJCF) proposes a compelling initiative that will engage community leaders, elected officials, and non-governmental organizations to collaboratively address these regional issues. This initiative will ground cooperative environmental planning at the local level. The river corridor provides a common environmental focus that affects all adjacent communities, and which extends beyond artificial municipal boundaries.