The mission of Hackensack Riverkeeper is to protect, preserve and restore the Hackensack River watershed and its living resources. Hackensack Riverkeeper fights for clean water, open space preservation and public access to the river for both active and passive recreation. It accomplishes its mission by prosecuting polluters, participating in the administration of local and regional open space trust funds, educating the public through school and community based programs, and organizing a variety of eco-programs, including cleanups, pontoon boat cruises, birding walks and canoe and kayak rentals in the Meadowlands. ECO-CRUISES. Hackensack Riverkeeper has been conducting these enjoyable excursions since 1995. Thirty-nine Open Eco-Cruises are scheduled from May 5 through October 14 aboard the pontoon cruisers Edward Abbey and Robert H. Boyle. Open trips are great for individuals, couples, and families and can be had for a donation of $25 per person for adults / $10 for kids 12 and under. CHARTER ECO-CRUISES can be arranged for groups of up to 26 people for any available date/time May 1 through October 28. Hackensack Riverkeeper asks a donation of $300 per boat for Adult Charter Eco-Cruises and $250 for Youth Charters. GUIDED PADDLES. Hackensack Riverkeeper's Paddling Center, located on the river at Laurel Hill County Park in Secaucus, NJ is now open weekends through October 28 weather permitting. The Center offers both canoe & kayak rentals ($25 per paddler w/ a 2-paddler minimum) and guided tours through the nearby wetlands. Three summertime moonlight paddles are also scheduled. Cost: $30 per paddler. RIVER CLEANUPS. These active conservation events give people the opportunity to give back to the environment and their communities by doing some "watershed housekeeping". River Cleanups are scheduled at eight different waterside locations within the Hackensack River Watershed from Oradell Reservoir in the north to Bayonne's 16th Street Park in the south. Hackensack Riverkeeper provides cleanup tools and supplies as well as refreshments for all volunteers. All they ask is that everyone pitch in and help rid local waterways of litter. BIRD-WALKS. For groups interested in birding and bird study, Captain Hugh Carola is available to lead Bird-Walks or hawk watches at local birding hotspots within the Hackensack River Watershed region. visit http://www.hackensackriverkeeper.org for detailed descriptions and schedules.