Friends of Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge Fall Festival

Helen Fenske Visitor Center 32 Pleasant Plains Rd, New Vernon, NJ, United States

Celebrate some big milestones at GSNWR's annual Fall Festival: the 60th year of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, the 60th year of the Wilderness Act, and the 25th year of Friends of GSNWR. Activities will include target archery, hover ball, river seining, guided nature walks, games, and nature crafts for kids. Free grilled hot dogs will be available from 11 AM to 1:30 PM, and there's plenty of parking. This event hosted by Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and US Fish and Wildlife Service. Tickets are not required to attend this non-GSWA event.  

Members Only: Fall Flora and Fauna Hike

Glenhurst Preserve 185 Mountain Ave, Warren, NJ, United States

Thank you for being a GSWA member! As a show of appreciation, let us treat you to a meander through two miles of Passaic floodplain meadows and forests while admiring the beautiful fall fauna and flora. We will pass small ponds and walk along both Cory's Brook and the Passaic River. Trails may be muddy so bring shoes you don't mind getting dirty. The hike will be roughly 2 miles with relatively flat elevation. This is a free hike available to GSWA members only! Not a member? Not a problem. Purchase an annual family membership today at the discounted price of $40 (below) and you can come along!  Please note: once you purchase the membership, you will need to return to this site to reserve your tickets.  Email Izzy [email protected] with any questions or concerns!

Free – $40.00

CANCELLED – Stream Assessment Training

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

**CANCELLED: Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Stream Assessment Training has been cancelled. We apologize for any inconvenience. If you registered, expect an email soon with further details.** As our planet faces the challenges of climate change, it's more important than ever to connect with our environment. Join us for this free training workshop and discover how to become a stream health advocate. We'll start indoors at our Morristown headquarters, learning the basics of stream monitoring. Then, we'll head to our 73-acre Conservation Management Area (CMA) in Harding Township for a hands-on experience. (You must have your own transportation to travel between the sites.) By the end of the day, you'll be fully trained and equipped to assess the health of local streams and contribute to environmental conservation! Training begins 9am @ Great Swamp Watershed Association's headquarters: 568 Tempe Wick Rd., Morristown Training continues @ GSWA's Conservation Management Area (CMA): 1 Tiger Lily Ln., Harding Twp. (~8 minute drive from GSWA's HQ)

Free

REGISTRATION CLOSED: The Chathams & Madison Town-Wide Yard Sale Fall 2024

Registration for this event has closed.  Saturday looks like a great day for a community yard sale! Below are links to the digital map of yard sale host sites and a list of sale items by address. Check out both links ahead of time and plan your course of action to get outside and shop sustainably! Click to view DIGITAL MAP Click to view SALE ITEMS by ADDRESS Please direct any questions to the Environmental Commission of The Chathams and Madison at [email protected] Everyone else, mark your calendar for October 19 to get out and shop sustainably at this amazing three-town-wide yard sale!       Yard Sale Registration Info: Registration Fee: $10 tax-deductible donation to benefit Great Swamp Watershed Association. Registration Deadline: Wednesday, October 16, 2024 @ 11:30 PM **You must be a resident of Chatham Township, Chatham Borough, or Madison to list your sale. One person's trash is another person's treasure. Now is the time to start checking your closets, basement, and garage for those hidden treasures and prepare to host a yard sale at this community event. Scroll to the bottom of this page to register and have your address and a list of your items for sale […]

$10.00

SOLD OUT: Madison Tree Identification Walk

Conservation Forest at the Madison Recreation and Conservation Complex (MRC) 184 Ridgedale Avenue, Madison, NJ, United States

THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT! Have you ever wanted to learn how to identify trees? October is a marvelous time. Join naturalist Ginger Van Ryzin, GSWA Manager of Stewardship and GIS Specialist,  for a wander in the Conservation Forest of the Madison Recreation and Conservation Complex (MRC). Along the walk, you will learn how to identify native trees by examining autumn leaves, bark, persistent fruit, and overall tree shape. This fun educational opportunity will include general tree ID techniques and characteristics for common native trees in Madison, including a handout so you can practice and hone your new skill. This walk is co-sponsored by Friends of Madison Shade Trees, Madison Shade Tree Management Board, and the Madison Environmental Commission. 

Climate Proof Your Garden

Westfield Public Library 550 E Broad Street, Westfield, NJ, United States

As extreme weather events and warmer temperatures become even more frequent around New Jersey, it’s time to start thinking about ways to fortify your outdoor spaces. Join Hazel England, Ecologist, Director of Education with the Great Swamp Watershed Association, and weather-weary gardener, to learn about ways to “climate proof” your garden or outdoor space. We'll look at the ways our climate conditions are changing and what to do to help your yard keep up.  We’ll discuss the highs and lows of the seasons and their impacts on your yard, including water conservation strategies such as xeriscaping- the practice of designing landscapes to reduce or eliminate the need for irrigation. Xeriscapes need little or no supplemental water beyond what the natural climate provides. We will also discuss the best plant choices to help your garden weather the storms and droughts. Implementing these strategies can also allow more diversity into your yard where your plants will flourish…as well as improve area biodiversity. Registration is required -- register here for this FREE event! Questions? Email Izzy at [email protected]

CANCELLED: Veterans Day Kids’ Hike

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

DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES, THIS HIKE HAS BEEN CANCELLED.   This Veterans Day, join us for a family-friendly hike, geared specifically for kids, at GSWA's Conservation Management Area. Explore the wonders of our floodplain forest as we search for signs of wildlife and learn about the unique ecosystems that call this area home. Kids, be sure to bring your parent along for this fun adventure. Ages 5-12 (includes a free parent ticket): $10 / (kids 4 and under: free) Children 13 and older and additional adults: $15 Please note: All children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Questions? Email Izzy at [email protected] CANCELLATION POLICY: Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA) makes every effort to assure all programs and events go off as planned. Should an event be cancelled due to severe weather or other unexpected reasons, GSWA will promptly notify all registrants via email and the event page will reflect the status. To accommodate people on the waitlist, participants needing to cancel should do so ASAP. Cancellations made less than 48 hours in advance will not be refunded unless it is due to a health emergency. Unused registration fees may be converted into a tax-deductible donation.

$10.00 – $15.00

Fall Colors Hike

High Mountain Park Preserve - Red Trailhead Intersection of Navaho Trail Drive and Reservoir Drive, Wayne, New Jersey

Join us for a hike through the scenic High Mountain Park Preserve. This intermediate-level hike covers approximately 4 miles with a significant elevation change of 700 feet. As we explore the preserve, we'll have the opportunity to enjoy some birdwatching. This is a prime location for raptor migration, so keep your eyes peeled for these majestic creatures. We'll also enjoy a breathtaking view of the city and, weather permitting, a visit to a cascading waterfall. This hike offers a unique opportunity to experience the beauty of the Watchung Mountains. Don't miss this chance to challenge yourself and connect with nature. Bring plenty of snacks and water. The meet up location is the High Mountain Park Preserve. (Google Maps) Email Izzy [email protected] with any questions or concerns! CANCELLATION POLICY: Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA) makes every effort to assure all programs and events go off as planned. Should an event be cancelled due to severe weather or other unexpected reasons, GSWA will promptly notify all registrants via email and the event page will reflect the status. To accommodate people on the waitlist, participants needing to cancel should do so ASAP. Cancellations made less than 48 hours in advance will not be […]

$15.00 – $20.00

Calculate Your Eco Footprint

Zoom Webinar NJ, United States

Join GSWA staff to learn more about the great tools you can use to audit your personal household and cumulative ecological footprint. We'll calculate your water, carbon, and energy use and explore ways in which you can reduce your ecological impact to live a watershed-friendly lifestyle. Register is required for this FREE event! Zoom link will be emailed prior to the program. Questions? Email Izzy at [email protected]

Free