SOLD OUT…AGAIN: Full Moon Hike at the Refuge

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

This event is sold out again! Email [email protected]  to be added to a waitlist for any last minute cancelations.   Hike and see the June full moon...the "Strawberry Moon". It's really a sweet sign of summer! Join Sarah Hunt, GSWA Land Steward & Water Quality Associate, on a hike to discover some of the gentle nighttime creatures. June is great time to enjoy a moonlit hike at the Refuge. The canopy and bright moonlight provide the perfect backdrop to hear and spot owls. Our full moon hikes are a real hoot, so don't miss out on this unique, family-friendly opportunity! This hike is free, but your support helps further the GSWA mission of education, land stewardship, and advocacy. Suggested donation: $10 for adults, $5 for children. Meeting Place: GSNWR Bluebird Parking Lot on Pleasant Plains Road, approx. 0.5 miles north of the refuge's south gate, and 1.6 miles south of the Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center - New Vernon, NJ 07976 IMPORTANT: Registration is required and limited so if the event becomes sold out, email [email protected]  to be added to a waitlist. And if you become sick or have a fever, for the safety of everyone DO NOT attend. Email to cancel, so we […]

Sold Out Free – $40.00

Volunteer for CMA Stewardship Day – June 17th

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

Ready to get a little dirty and sweaty in the swamp? Need community service hours? College students, are you looking for something worthy to add to your resume?! Join us on Friday mornings at the GSWA Conservation Management Area (CMA) to help us steward the land. We will work from 9AM to 1PM and enjoy some well-earned snacks provided by GSWA Director of Land Stewardship, Hazel England. We could really use your help getting our CMA tidied up by helping us with the following tasks: Carry in lumber • Build and elevate boardwalks which allows hikers to get through flooded areas • Clear branches and limbs from recent storms • Remove invasive plants • Spread woodchips on our trails. Be sure to wear long pants, long sleeves, and hiking boots or old shoes you don’t mind getting muddy. Bring a hat and a reusable water bottle. We will provide bug spray, sun block, gloves, and all tools you will need. You’ll work hard, but will also share in some laughs, and enjoy delicious snacks. What better way to spend a Friday morning? See you there! Can't make this day? Want to do more? Check your calendar for our ongoing CMA […]

Lunch ‘n Learn: Water Quality Report Card

Zoom Webinar NJ, United States

Zoom registration closes at 11 AM on Friday, June 17. This is the rescheduled Report Card from April. DID YOU KNOW: Human beings can survive almost three weeks without food, but only a few days without water! Take your lunch break and Zoom In for an in-depth review of the water quality in the Great Swamp watershed and the Passaic River region. GSWA conducts stream monitoring  at 21 locations annually for a suite of chemical parameters. We are the only entity, non-profit, corporate, or government, monitoring the five main streams of the Great Swamp Watershed and Passaic River on a consistent basis. GSWA Water Quality Director, Sandra LaVigne, will highlight the results of the sampling and testing we performed on our local streams throughout 2021. Sandra will also provide an update on testing for PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances) manmade chemicals also called "forever chemicals." PFAS is a growing threat to waters. Join us for this informative report on your local water and will include a Q&A session at the end. Registration is required and the Zoom link will be sent via email prior to the program.

Sold Out Free – $40.00

SOLD OUT Summer Solstice Celebration Hike

Jockey Hollow Visitor Center 600 Tempe Wick Rd, Morristown, NJ

Email [email protected]  to be added to a waitlist. Although the rescheduled hike is not on the solstice date, you will learn all about the solstice and welcome in the summer season with poems and stories! Join us for a hike through the historic and beautiful trails of Jockey Hollow. As the moon slowly rises, we will look and listen for owls and other nightlife creatures as fireflies take to the sky. Later we will relax by a roaring bonfire and hear stories that 18th century colonists told around their own campfires and learn about their views on the darkness. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity with highly experienced and knowledgeable GSWA naturalists, Hazel England and Ginger Van Ryzin...along with National Park Ranger and local historian, Eric Olsen. Space is limited and it will fill up fast! This hike is free to all GSWA members; a $10 donation is appreciated from non-member adults, $5 for children. Registration is required. IMPORTANT: Registration is required and limited so if the event becomes sold out, email [email protected]  to be added to a waitlist. And if you become sick or have a fever, for the safety of everyone DO NOT attend. Email to cancel, so we can […]

Sold Out Free – $40.00

Volunteer for CMA Stewardship Day – July 1st

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

Ready to get a little dirty and sweaty in the swamp? Need community service hours? College students, are you looking for something worthy to add to your resume?! Join us on Friday mornings at the GSWA Conservation Management Area (CMA) to help us steward the land. We will work from 9AM to 1PM and enjoy some well-earned snacks provided by GSWA Director of Land Stewardship, Hazel England. We could really use your help getting our CMA tidied up by helping us with the following tasks: Carry in lumber • Build and elevate boardwalks which allows hikers to get through flooded areas • Clear branches and limbs from recent storms • Remove invasive plants • Spread woodchips on our trails. Be sure to wear long pants, long sleeves, and hiking boots or old shoes you don’t mind getting muddy. Bring a hat and a reusable water bottle. We will provide bug spray, sun block, gloves, and all tools you will need. You’ll work hard, but will also share in some laughs, and enjoy delicious snacks. What better way to spend a Friday morning? See you there! Can't make this day? Want to do more? Check your calendar for our ongoing CMA […]

City of Water Day Bingo Challenge: Free

The Challenge Event may have ended but we encourage you to download the eco-bingo card and use it to help you explore your local watershed. On July 16, City of Water (COW) Day is all about connecting communities with the water. The Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA)* is observing 2022 COW Day by issuing an eco-BINGO challenge to our members and followers so we can celebrate together. We want to connect as many folks as possible with their local water bodies and watersheds. Everyone lives in a watershed. What we do and where we live impacts the water, even if it is far away! This year's theme is 'In Your Neighborhood'. So today, we challenge you all to head out into your neighborhood, connect with the environment, and see how you can make a difference! This FREE challenge runs now through July 23.  How to Play: Download the eco-bingo card and spend some time exploring your local watershed. (Some challenges can be completed on your computer or smartphone.) Have fun carrying out the challenges between July 8, 2022 - July 23, 2022 (cross out corresponding squares) until you complete a row horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. How to Submit: Snap a […]

Paterson Falls Explorer Hike and Tour

Paterson Great Falls National Park 72 McBride Ave,, Paterson, NJ, United States

Explore Paterson from the other end of the Passaic. Join us for an afternoon of nature and natural history. Staff from the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park will guide us on an informative hike through the area where will check out the new viewing platform to explore the 77-foot high waterfall. From there we’ll hike along the old raceway, and we'll even squeeze in a museum visit. It's a great opportunity to gain insight into the importance of Paterson, the first planned industrial city that was centered around the Great Falls, and how it changed the face of our country. We will meet at the Great Falls and go from there. Dress for the weather, hiking boots recommended for potentially muddy conditions.

Free – $40.00

CANCELLED: Volunteer for CMA Stewardship Day – July 22nd

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

DUE TO THE EXTREME HEAT ADVISORY, FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS, THIS WORK DAY HAS BEEN CANCELLED. PLEASE  CHECK OUT OTHER FRIDAY WORKDAYS SCHEDULED THROUGH THE END OF AUGUST. Ready to get a little dirty and sweaty in the swamp? Need community service hours? College students, are you looking for something worthy to add to your resume?! Join us on Friday mornings at the GSWA Conservation Management Area (CMA) to help us steward the land. We will work from 9AM to 1PM and enjoy some well-earned snacks provided by GSWA Director of Land Stewardship, Hazel England. We could really use your help getting our CMA tidied up by helping us with the following tasks: Carry in lumber • Build and elevate boardwalks which allows hikers to get through flooded areas • Clear branches and limbs from recent storms • Remove invasive plants • Spread woodchips on our trails. Be sure to wear long pants, long sleeves, and hiking boots or old shoes you don’t mind getting muddy. Bring a hat and a reusable water bottle. We will provide bug spray, sun block, gloves, and all tools you will need. You’ll work hard, but will also share in […]

Free

Volunteer for CMA Stewardship Day – July 29th

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

Ready to get a little dirty and sweaty in the swamp? Need community service hours? College students, are you looking for something worthy to add to your resume?! Join us on Friday mornings at the GSWA Conservation Management Area (CMA) to help us steward the land. We will work from 9AM to 1PM and enjoy some well-earned snacks provided by GSWA Director of Land Stewardship, Hazel England. We could really use your help getting our CMA tidied up by helping us with the following tasks: Carry in lumber • Build and elevate boardwalks which allows hikers to get through flooded areas • Clear branches and limbs from recent storms • Remove invasive plants • Spread woodchips on our trails. Be sure to wear long pants, long sleeves, and hiking boots or old shoes you don’t mind getting muddy. Bring a hat and a reusable water bottle. We will provide bug spray, sun block, gloves, and all tools you will need. You’ll work hard, but will also share in some laughs, and enjoy delicious snacks. What better way to spend a Friday morning? See you there! Can't make this day? Want to do more? Check your calendar for our ongoing CMA […]

Sunset Paddle – POSTPONED DATE

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

Because of the heat advisory for Friday,  we have decided to postpone the paddle for one week. The well-being of our supporters and staff are our top priority. We regret any inconvenience this may have caused but the rescheduled date is 7/29/22 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm. If you are registered already and CAN attend 7/29, you DO NOT need to do anything. You're on the attendee list! If you CANNOT make 7/29, please send an email to [email protected] to cancel so we can invite the next person on the waitlist. Ease into your weekend with a leisurely paddle on the Passaic River. As you experience the sunset from the water, you may also be visited by some great blue heron, turtles, and other wildlife that uses the stream corridor as habitat and migration route. Children 8 and up are welcome. All participants 15 and under must be accompanied by a parent. This event is limited to 9 paddlers, so only 2 spots available per registration. 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. The put-in location will be near the Essex Environmental […]

$20.00 – $30.00