Environmental Commission

The Hackensack Environmental Commission is composed of several volunteer city residents committed to making Hackensack a greener, more sustainable city.  The City of Hackensack established the Hackensack Environmental Commission (HEC) in 1989 to provide the following functions:

  • Conduct research into the use and possible use of the open land areas of the City.
  • Prepare an index of all such open lands, publicly and privately owned, within the City.
  • Make recommendations concerning such open lands to the Mayor and Council and the Planning Board regarding plans and programs for inclusions in the Master Plan.
  • Study and make recommendations to the Mayor and Council, including but not limited to open space preservation, water resources management, air pollution control, solid waste management, recycling programs, noise control, soil and landscape protection, environmental appearance and protection of flora and fauna.
  • Coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized for environmental and conservational purposes within the City.
  • Prepare, print and distribute informational materials which, in its judgment, it deems necessary for its purposes, so long as the same relates to its authorized duties as set forth herein.
  • When authorized by ordinance, review and report upon any environmental impact statement referred to it by the Planning Board or Board of Adjustment in a timely fashion.
  • Upon receiving the prior approval by resolution of the Mayor and Council, assist in the acquisition of property, real and personal, by the City gift, purchase, grant, bequest, devise or lease for any of its purposes and shall assist in the administration of the same for such purposes, subject to the terms of the conveyance or gift.
  • Prepare such advisory reports and perform such other duties as may from time to time be requested by the Mayor and Council.

Meet Our Environmental Commission

Active Members

Marlene Somerville, Chairperson

Joel Dawkins

Richard LoPinto

Albert Dib

Vicki Cohen

Maria P. Ulloa Granja

Kelbe Beck, Alternate

Darling Bode Zambrana, Alternate

Join This Board

Becoming a member of one of our  advisory boards lets residents volunteer in city decision-making, bringing local insight to committees and commissions that guide planning, services, and civic life.

Email Us

hec@hackensack.org

Upcoming Meetings

Environmental Commission/Green Team
Environmental Commission/Green Team
Environmental Commission/Green Team
Environmental Commission/Green Team
Environmental Commission/Green Team
Environmental Commission/Green Team
Environmental Commission/Green Team
Environmental Commission/Green Team
Environmental Commission/Green Team

Hackensack Open Space and Recreation Plan Element

Rain Garden Manual

Warn NJDEP

Actions For A Healthy Planet

Recent Notable Accomplishments

Hackensack Achieves Bronze-Level Sustainable Jersey Certification and Celebrates Environmental Milestones

The City of Hackensack is proud to announce it has met the rigorous requirements to achieve bronze-level certification from Sustainable Jersey, a testament to the city’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. This accomplishment, recognized at the Sustainable Jersey Annual Luncheon this past November 19 during the New Jersey...

  • The HEC was successful in acquiring a grant from the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC) to install Pollinator Gardens on Prospect Avenue at Anderson Street and Hamilton Place.
  • The HEC was successful in acquiring a grant from ANJEC to fund an Environmental Resource Inventory in order to fully understand Hackensack’s environmental resources. (More to come).
  • The HEC won an award from ANJEC in 2019 for outstanding accomplishment in local environmental protection for the Hackensack Community Garden project in Johnson Park.
  • Obtaining a Bergen County Open space grant for the creation of a “Serenity Garden” at Staib Park.