2009 Green Acres Gala a Rousing Success!

Great Swamp Watershed Association held its “Green Acres” gala on October 15th at the Basking Ridge Country Club. Despite the rain (and in some places, snow), 170 friends and supports came out to help raise funds for ongoing programs and activities of the organization, education, responsible land use advocacy and stream monitoring. In addition to the evening’s silent auction, Schering-Plough Corporation and Wyeth were on hand to accept this year’s Marcellus Hartley Dodge Award.

The Marcellus Hartley Dodge Memorial Award is given to a person or company whose contributions toward the preservation and protection of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, its watershed, and the watershed’s natural, historic and public resources have been extraordinary. Marcellus Hartley Dodge was instrumental in helping to save the Great Swamp from development as an airport, by providing funds for the initial purchases of core properties in 1959 and through his tireless efforts to ensure the additional donations that formed the nucleus of what is now the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.

The staff and board of trustees wish to thank all those who so generously support our work as guardian of the watershed, not just during our fundraising events but all year long through your generous financial support and tireless volunteer work.