Breakfast Briefing: A Watery History of Jockey Hollow – How It Shaped the Land and Lives

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

What does Jockey Hollow have in common with your morning coffee? Water, of course! Join us for the April Breakfast Briefing as Eric Olsen explores how water has shaped Jockey Hollow’s history—from the resourceful Lenape people and Revolutionary War soldiers to early industries and modern conservation efforts. Water is the lifeblood of any landscape, and Jockey Hollow’s streams and rivers have influenced human activity for generations. Without it, history might have looked a lot drier—literally. Enjoy a light breakfast as we dive into how water has woven together history, ecology, and preservation in Jockey Hollow. Whether you’re a history buff, nature lover, or conservation advocate, this engaging talk will leave you with a deeper appreciation for the past—and a renewed commitment to protecting its future. Don’t let this opportunity trickle away—space is limited, and registration is required! About the Presenter: Eric P. Olsen has been with Morristown National Historical Park as a park ranger and historian since 1989. His historical research and interpretation have included Jockey Hollow, Stark’s Brigade, Cross Estate, Ford Mansion, and more. Known for his engaging first-person portrayals of 18th-century figures, Eric brings history to life through immersive storytelling. He holds a B.A. in History from Rutgers […]

Get Tickets Free – $40.00

Stream Assessment Training – FREE

Essex County Environmental Center 621 Eagle Rock Ave, Roseland, NJ

Note: We will meet in Garibaldi Hall Unless there's obvious pollution in the river or stream, to the untrained eye, the water may look healthy. But is it? This free training session, led by Sandra LaVigne, GSWA Director of Water Quality Programs, will provide you with all the necessary skills to make your own determinations. An indoor classroom session teaches you how to conduct visual and biological stream assessments, identify macroinvertebrates, and recognize environmental factors that could impact stream health. An outdoor session lets you practice your new-found skills at a local stream site. By afternoon, you will be fully trained in visual and biological stream assessment. And if you are ready to take that next step, consider becoming a stream monitoring volunteer! Tools and supplies will be provided. It gets a little messy so wear your boots and bring clean shoes to change into afterward. Preferred volunteers are 15 or older. This free training session is held in conjunction with the AmeriCorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassador Program.

GSWA 2024 Water Quality Report Card – Free

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

GSWA will present the 2024 Annual Water Quality Report Card.  Join us for an evening briefing about the state of the water throughout the Great Swamp Watershed and the Upper Passaic River.  Sandra LaVigne, our Director of Water Quality Programs, and our dedicated Stream Team of Citizen Scientists collect water quality data throughout the year to determine the health of our riverine ecosystems and the state of the water.  This data forms the core of our water quality report and guides GSWA as we work together with state, county and municipal agencies as well as our local community members to protect and improve our streams. Here's what you'll learn: Assessments based on the combined data from visual, chemical, and biological assessments from each of our 21 sampling sites Information about PFAS in our stream water and the new EPA Regulations on PFAS in drinking water History and issues facing our streams, including our newest stretch of the Passaic River from Little Falls to Garfield. This is your chance to: Get informed about the state of our water. Ask questions and have your water quality concerns addressed by an expert. Become part of the solution for a healthier Passaic River. Don't […]

Get Tickets Free – $40.00

Treasures of the Swamp Scavenger Hunt – Free

Adventure awaits! Join us for a fun, free community event, brought to you by the Great Swamp Partners! Play solo or team up with friends and family. The Treasures of the Swamp Scavenger Hunt launches April 26, and the Great Swamp is your playground! Unleash your inner explorer for an afternoon or weekend (it's up to you) of riddle-solving and treasure-seeking across six beautiful locations. Your clue booklet holds the secrets, and each site unlocks the answers. What to expect at this family-friendly event: Forest trails, wildlife sightings, code-cracking, and celebratory high-fives as you solve each clue. It's a great opportunity to experience the incredible natural beauty right here in our back yard! Begin your exploration at any of the participating locations within the Great Swamp watershed region - visit 1 or all 6 sites in any order - all at your own pace:  Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (GSNWR) / Friends of Great Swamp NWR Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center: 32 Pleasant Plains Rd., Basking Ridge Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA) Conservation Management Area (CMA): 1 Tiger Lily Lane, Harding Twp. Morris County Park Commission (MCPC) Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center (GSOEC): 247 Southern Blvd., Chatham New Jersey Audubon […]

The Chathams & Madison Town-Wide Yard Sale Spring 2025

Yard Sale Registration Info: Registration Fee: $10 tax-deductible donation to benefit Great Swamp Watershed Association. Registration Deadline: Wednesday, April 30, 2025 @ 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 to appear on a digital, printable map. The map will be linked to this page and publicized in local media and on town sites to potential shoppers far and wide. Frequently Asked Questions:  Who do I contact with questions?  Please direct all questions to the Environmental Commission of The Chathams and Madison at MEC@rosenet.org Why pay to be on the map? Over the last three years, we have found that our town-wide sales attract shoppers from across NJ, NY, and PA. We promote the sale (and the map) in local media and on popular garage sale sites. Do I need to pay a permit fee? No. The permit fee for […]

Beginner Paddle on the Passaic River

Canoe Launch, Livingston 2, 12 S Orange Ave, Livingston, New Jersey

Celebrate spring with a paddle on the Passaic River designed for beginners! We will focus on how to paddle in a kayak and learn paddle strokes, getting in and out of the boat, how to maneuver. Children 8 and up are welcome. All participants 15 and under must be accompanied by a parent. There are only 7 spots available – 2 spots/registration max. All participants must be able to swim, be comfortable on the water, and wear clothes and footwear that can (and will) get wet and muddy. Life vests will be provided. IMPORTANT – Kayak Waiver: Each participant MUST submit one of the forms below. If the person is under the age of 18, a parent or guardian must sign their form and assume responsibility for the minor. Please complete, sign and bring the form(s) with you. The organizers will collect completed forms before put-in. Adult Attendee Minor Attendee The GSWA kayaks, used in our water quality and educational programming, were purchased with the generous funding provided by the Thomas Glasser Foundation. The put-in location is the Livingston Canoe Launch, and we will paddle from there. Please email Izzy ifilippini@greatswamp.org with questions or cancellations. CANCELLATION POLICY: Great Swamp Watershed […]

Get Tickets $30.00 – $40.00

NEW DATE: Volunteer Opportunity: Community Workday at the CMA

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

Please note: This event has been postponed from Saturday, April 12 to Saturday, May 17 due to rain. Ready to get a little dirty and sweaty in the swamp? Need community service hours? College students—are you looking for something meaningful to add to your resume? Join us on Saturday at the GSWA Conservation Management Area (CMA) in Harding Township to help us steward the land. We will work from 9AM to 1PM, then enjoy some well-earned snacks. We could really use your help tidying up our CMA with the following tasks: Carrying in lumber Building and elevating boardwalks, which allows hikers to get through flooded areas Clearing branches and limbs from recent storms Removing invasive plants Spreading woodchips on our trails. Be sure to wear long pants, long sleeves, and hiking boots or sturdy old shoes you don’t mind getting muddy. Bring a hat and a reusable water bottle. We will provide bug spray, sunscreen, gloves, snacks, and all the tools you need. What better way to spend a Saturday morning? We’ll see you there!

Breakfast Briefing: Honey Bee Health & Nutrition

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

Start your morning with purpose at our next Breakfast Briefing, featuring Jim Muchmore—Honey Bee Ambassador, beekeeper, and steward of Muchy's Bee Farm. As an active member of the Morris and Somerset County Beekeepers Association (mscbees.org), Jim is deeply committed to reversing the alarming trend of honey bee decline, with losses exceeding 50% in New Jersey and across the country. Honey bees are under stress. From pests and pathogens to pesticides and, increasingly, poor nutrition, multiple threats are weakening colonies and putting essential pollination services at risk. In this engaging presentation, Jim will take us behind the scenes of modern beekeeping, highlighting how dedicated beekeepers help sustain healthy hives—and how those efforts ripple across entire ecosystems. Enjoy a light breakfast prior to the start of the presentation. Get tickets below: GSWA Members: Free | Non-members: $10 (Adult), $5 (Child). About the Presenter: More than ten years ago, Dr. James Muchmore turned a lifelong interest into action, beginning his beekeeping journey with just two hives. Facing the challenges of overwintering bees, he gradually grew his apiary and, after several seasons of success, now plans to manage ten hives. Before focusing on bees, Dr. Muchmore worked in cancer research, specializing in drug resistance […]

Get Tickets Free – $40.00

Breakfast Briefing: Microplastics 5 Years Later

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

It's been 7 years since GSWA conducted our first microplastics sampling study and 5 years since New Jersey passed the "Get Past Plastics" legislation aimed at reducing our reliance on single-use plastics. Are you curious if it's made an impact? We certainly were, so we gathered our team and re-sampled the same 10 sites from our 2018 study. Join Sandra LaVigne, GSWA's Director of Water Quality Programs, as she reveals the findings of our 2025 microplastics sampling study, shedding light on what effects, if any, these plastic reduction laws have made in our local water. Sandra will also offer practical solutions for all of us to consider adopting to help keep our waterways clean. Enjoy a light breakfast prior to the start of the presentation. GSWA members: Free, non-members: (Adult) $10, (Child): $5. Registration is required. Please email Izzy (ifilippini@greatswamp.org) with questions or cancellations. Ticketing closes at 4/15 at 5:00 PM. 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. […]

Get Tickets Free – $40.00

Great Swamp Great Music… After Dark

The Homestead Bar and Kitchen 10 Dehart St., Morristown, NJ, United States

Extend the weekend vibes! From festival to exceptional evening of music - GSWA's Great Swamp Great Music returns for its 8th year reimagined, now at Morristown's trendy Homestead Bar and Kitchen. Your ticket includes dinner, reduced drink prices, preferred seating, and a musical smorgasbord. We're serving up a mix of country vibes, classic rock hits you know and love, and fresh original music that'll leave you wanting more.   What's in store for the evening? Your ticket offers exceptional value: a delicious dinner buffet, discounted drink pricing, preferred seating, and of course, excellent live music! Located in the heart of Morristown, Homestead's unique open-air design, featuring an inviting patio, blends indoor comfort with outdoor ambiance, creating a refreshing atmosphere. Take your chances at the 50-50 Raffle . Ample parking available. It's the perfect evening out for music lovers and a great way to support the environment through this lively environmental fundraiser!   Lineup The Big Fuss The Big Fuss brings their own unique style to rock covers from the 1960’s through today. Their blend of on-stage charisma, musical talent, and refreshing delivery of songs you know and love will keep you smiling and dancing through the night! Hunterdon Happening "Best […]

Get Tickets $35.00 – $50.00