Raritan Baykeeper, Inc (dba NY/NJ Baykeeper)

NY/NJ Baykeeper serves as the citizen advocate for the harbors, bays, streams, and shores of the NY-NJ Harbor Estuary. Our mission is to preserve and restore habitats, influence land use decisions, stop polluters, champion public access, and educate the public. We collaborate with federal and state regulators, as well as citizen groups, as partners in planning for a sustainable future for the NY-NJ Harbor Estuary. Our goal is to protect, preserve, and restore the waterways and communities around the NY/NJ Harbor. We approach this both at the community level and regionally to address key issues such as clean water, public access, urban equity, stormwater management, and more.

NY/NJ Baykeeper was founded in 1989 by Andrew Willner, who had previously established a small boat building and repair yard on Staten Island.
During a visit to the yard, Willner's 10-year-old daughter was unable to swim in the nearby waters due to pollution-a moment that deeply affected him. He also witnessed the devastating impact of the Exxon Bayway Oil Spill on the Arthur Kill, which further motivated him to take action.

Today, NY/NJ works to preserve and restore habitats, influence better lland use, increase urban equity, champion public access, and educate the public. Our efforts are supported by robust Advocacy, Education, Community Outreach, and Legal programs.

Accomplishments Include:

*Establishing the first harbor-wide Citizen Water Quality Monitoring Program

*Patrolling waterways and addressing over 300 water quality and wetland violations

*Operating our annual Ocean Pathways summer environmental mentorship program for teens (2025 w/ Newark Boys & Girls Club)

*Fighting to protect Liberty State Park and other urban open spaces from privatization

*Achieving numerous successful legal actions on behalf of the environment

Testimonials

"NY/NJ Baykeeper serves as fiscal sponsor and Co-Chair of the NewarkDIG(Doing Infrastructure Green) coaltion, and they have been a vital part of our leadership team
throughout our 10 years of operation." Nicole Miller, Chair, NewarkDIG

" As a proud partner of Ocean Pathways, we have witnessed the tremendous growth and enthusiasm it fosters in our teens. It's not just an introduction to marine conservation, it is a gateway to careen exploration." Nohely Campos, Boys&Girls Club of Newark

" For 30 years NY/NJ Baykeeper have helped protect Liberty State Park from big monied attempts to privitize this magnifiscent People's Park ." Sam Pesin, President,Friends of Liberty State Park