The New Jersey Meadowlands, despite decades of neglect and overdevelopment, remains the largest remaining wetland system in the region. It is also likely to be one of the first places to be permanently inundated from sea-level rise. The state should work with the federal government to make the Meadowlands a national park to demonstrate how properly managed natural landscapes can help mitigate the impacts of climate change. A national-park designation would also help preserve and restore the Meadowlands’ natural habitats, protect nearby communities, and make it a recreational resource for the entire region.
