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6/27: “Sounds of Summer” Invitation Only Hike at the Refuge

Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge - Bluebird Parking Lot Bluebird Parking Lot, Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, NJ, United States

We want to show you our appreciation by taking you on a special behind-the-scenes hike at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. This time of year flowers are in bloom, birds such as red-bellied woodpeckers are nesting everywhere, wood froglets can be seen in mass around the vernal ponds, and we may even spot a red fox. We will be on the lookout for all of this and more. Led by GSWA staffers, you will benefit from their combined wealth of natural history knowledge. Not a member? Become a member now by clicking the "JOIN" button at the top of this page. Then come back and register for the hike. This is your special opportunity to take in all the beauty of the amazing lands that form part of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge Management area. Claim your "back stage pass" today! Meet at the Bluebird Parking Lot: GSNWR Bluebird Parking Lot, Intersection of Pleasant Plains Rd. Auto Tour Route & Wood Duck Way, Basking Ridge, NJ. You can plug the following coordinates into your GPS (exactly as you see them): 40.709360, -74.502889  

Sold Out $50.00

Night Sky in July

Great Swamp Watershed Association HQ 568 Tempe Wick Rd, Morristown, NJ, United States

UPDATE: due to forecasts of 90% cloudcover and inclement weather this event is postponed for a later date.   Please e-mail knecovska@greatswamp.org to be informed of the rain-date.  Explore the night sky with GSWA and North Jersey Astronomical Group (NJAG) for a very special late night summertime event. Our guest this evening is Mark Zdziarski of NJAG, who will help facilitate our viewing of the night sky and its constellations. This is a great event for amateurs, seasoned skywatchers, and any curious folks wanting to dip their toe in astronomy.   As the evening darkens, Jupiter and Saturn become more prominent in the Southern sky.  With luck, we will see the dragons and heroes of the Summer sky directly overhead; Serpens, Scorpius, Draco as well as Hercules, Ophiuchus (Asclepius), and Bootes the herdsman.   We will also hopefully witness the sounds and sights of late night wildlife at 568 Tempe Wick Rd. This event is weather permitting - Please be sure to check for updates closer to the event. Tickets are extremely limited. For more information on North Jersey Astronomical Group events, visit NJastro.org and on Facebook at NJAG

Free – $40.00

Hike: Birds, Bees & Fungus

Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge - Bluebird Parking Lot Bluebird Parking Lot, Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, NJ, United States

Grab your binoculars and field guides for a Friday evening hike with our knowledgeable naturalists at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. The blue bird parking lot trail offers a variety of habitats and critters to see, including a pair of nesting bald eagles if we're lucky! Summer is in full swing and there are lots of beautiful wildflowers, birds, bugs and mushrooms on full display. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to check them all out and learn a little bit more about them! We will meet at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge Bluebird Parking Lot at the  intersection of Pleasant Plains Rd. Auto Tour Route & Wood Duck Way, Basking Ridge, NJ. It's a bit tricky, so enter the following coordinates into your GPS as they appear here and to get to the exact location:  40.709360, -74.502889

Get Tickets Free – $40.00

Summer Colors Hike at Garret Mountain Reservation

Garret Mountain Reservation Lambert Castle Parking Lot, 3 Valley Rd., Paterson, NJ, United States

Soak up the last drops of summer at the beautiful Garret Mountain Reservation. Adam will guide you through the trails and identify the many varieties of trees and plants at the peak of their lushness. Situated 500 feet above sea level, Garret Mountain Reserve offers several overlooks with panoramic views of northern New Jersey and New York City that you can't see from anywhere else in Passaic County. Be sure to grab your binoculars, camera and reusable water bottle. Wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. Registration required.

Get Tickets Free – $40.00

New Moon Hike at the Refuge

Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge - Wildlife Observation Center https://goo.gl/maps/tLD3KapcRC21245c8, Harding Twp., NJ, United States

Come hike the trails of the Wildlife Refuge under a new moon. A new moon is the first lunar phase, which means it will not be visible at all. This means the stars will be at their brightest! And the lack of moonlight does not mean the inhabitants of the woods have gone to sleep - there's still plenty of activity to see and hear. During this guided hike we will take advantage of the quiet autumn air by listening for the nighttime creatures of Harding Township as they prepare for the change of season. This hike is limited to 20 night owls, so don't miss out - register today! And if you're still enjoying the night's sky, venture over to the GSWA headquarters (just a few short miles away at 568 Tempe Wick Rd., Morristown) to join in on Astronomy Night. The North Jersey Astronomical Group will lead us through a viewing of the September night stars and constellations out on display. This viewing will take place 8:00-10:30 PM and we invite you to participate for some or all of this event. Space is limited so please register here for this portion of the evening. Note: This stargazing event is weather […]

Sold Out Free – $40.00

Astronomy Night with North Jersey Astronomical Group

Great Swamp Watershed Association HQ 568 Tempe Wick Rd, Morristown, NJ, United States

Explore the night sky with a rare astronomy night at Great Swamp Watershed Association. Our guests of the evening are North Jersey Astronomical Group (NJAG) who will lead the viewing.  See and learn about constellations visible in the Fall sky. The beautiful stars of the Big and Little Dippers will be visible as well as the constellations Draco, Cygnus, Pegasus and Hercules will be on display in the September sky. The moon is new on September 27, so faint objects are easier to see...such as star clusters, nebulae, and perhaps even some galaxies if the weather is clear enough. As the evening darkens, Jupiter and Saturn will become prominent in the south. Jupiter's four largest moons and the rings of Saturn will be visible too! Please check-in at GSWA HQ for information and light refreshments. This event is extremely limited, please register today to ensure parking. We invite you to join us for a double-nighttime-event at our New Moon Night Hike happening earlier this evening. Note: This event is weather permitting – Please be sure to check for updates closer to the event. Tickets are extremely limited. For more information on North Jersey Astronomical Group events, visit NJastro.org.

Get Tickets Free – $40.00

Tour the Bayshore Recycling Center

Bayshore Recycling Center 75 Crows Mill Rd., Keasbey, NJ, United States

Have you ever wondered what happens to your recycling once it leaves the end of your driveway? This is your chance to follow its journey with your own eyes, observing how it's sorted, prepped and packaged to get it ready for the next phase. Gary Sondermeyer, VP of Operations at Bayshore Recycling, will explain it all with this behind-the-scenes tour. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to get a true understanding of the importance of recycling, the convenience and drawbacks of single-stream recycling, and how it's all done. You'll also leave with some first-hand do's and don'ts. Must provide your own transportation. Registration is required.

Sold Out Free – $40.00

Columbus Day Hike at the Refuge

Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge - Orange Trailhead approx 77 Meyersville Rd., Green Village (Harding Township), NJ, United States

School's closed, so what better way to celebrate Columbus Day than with a crisp, Autumn hike at the Refuge? GSWA Education Associate, Adam Palmer, will serve as your tour guide through the Orange Trailhead. Come see the plants and critters of the refuge, and learn how they are preparing for the approaching cold weather. This is an easy-breezy hike and a relaxing morning outdoors. Dress for the weather. Space is limited to the first 20 hikers to sign up so register today!

Get Tickets Free – $40.00

Change of Colors Hike at Garret Mountain

October is the perfect time to head outdoors and check out all the vibrant colors of autumn, and Garret Mountain is the place to be. GSWA Education Associate, Adam Palmer, will take you on a journey through the trails of Garret Mountain and identify the many varieties of trees and plants as they begin to prepare for a long winter’s nap. Situated 500 feet above sea level, Garret Mountain Reservation offers several overlooks with panoramic views of northern New Jersey and New York City that you can't see from anywhere else in Passaic County. Wear your hiking boots and dress for the weather. The hike will begin at the Green Trail and then you will follow the Yellow Trail. This is an intermediate hike with many ups and downs and steep trails, so be prepared for a little challenge. Bring along water, snacks, sunblock, binoculars, and whatever else you will need to be comfortable for a two-hour exploration hike. Directions: The following link shows you the location of the parking lot: https://goo.gl/maps/kuyYmDrppgn3C5tr6 – You can also type these coordinates into your GPS exactly as they appear to get you to the general area:  40.900833, -74.173361    : As you drive up […]

Get Tickets Free – $40.00

(Wo)man’s Best Friend Hike at the CMA

Great Swamp Watershed Association's CMA 1 Tiger Lily Ln, Morristown, NJ, United States

Calling all pooches! Grab your family and a leash, and c’mon out to the CMA for a crisp, pre-winter hike. We know you’re ready to get some fresh air and sniff new smells. This is your day! We only ask that you play nice with other dogs, remain on your leash for the full hike, and ask your humans to bring you some water in case you get thirsty, and clean up after you. There is a limit of 15 pups (but no limit on the number of humans) so shake a leg and register today! This event is free for GSWA members, non-members: suggested donation of $10 for adults 18+, $5 for children 6-17 years. Registration is required.

Get Tickets Free – $40.00