SOLD OUT- DIY Winter Foliage Wreath Workshop 7:00-8:30 PM

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

It's not winter until the wreath is on the door. Put on your warm clothes and come craft a homemade winter wreath made from native evergreens and other native plants. You’ll decorate your masterpiece with pinecones, berries, and other items found in nature. While your creativity blossoms, you’ll learn more about the natural items being used in this craft. Hot cider will be served. Price covers everything you need to leave with a finished piece that’s ready to hang on your door or give as a gift. Hot cider and cookies will be served. Two sessions to choose from: 5-6:30 PM & 7-8:30 PM. 

$35.00 – $40.00

GSWA Annual Meeting

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

We invite you to join us for wine and light snacks and to meet the dedicated individuals of the Great Swamp Watershed Association – our passionate staff and esteemed board of trustees! You'll have the opportunity to hear about the accomplishments of GSWA in 2023, learning about our impactful work for the Great Swamp watershed and the broader Passaic River region, spanning advocacy, education, and water quality, as well as our land preservation and stewardship. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for the support of our members and volunteers, who help us fulfill our mission to protect water and land for a healthier environment for current and future generations! Registration is not mandatory, but your RSVP will help create a seamless evening. You must be 21 or older to consume alcoholic beverages.

Free

A Winter Wander Hike

South Mountain Reservation W South Orange Ave, West Orange, NJ, United States

Step outside on a crisp, December morning and enjoy some fresh air on this winter wander through South Mountain Reservation. As we hike, you will learn about how the Lenape braved the cold winters as well as some geologic history. Along the way, we will see a waterfall (or two) and depending on the temperatures, they may or may not be frozen! Be sure to wear appropriate footwear and dress for the weather.

Free – $40.00

POSTPONED: Members Only Winter Solstice Night Hike

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

We will unfortunately have to postpone the Members Only Winter Solstice Hike due to heavy rain and flooding concerns. Please check back in the new year for the rescheduled date. Thank you for your understanding, and if you have any questions please email [email protected] Thank you for being a GSWA member! We invite you to bundle-up and come celebrate the first day of winter (winter solstice) with a crisp, invigorating hike at the Refuge. Winter solstice is the day with the fewest hours of sunlight in the whole year, making it the shortest day of the year. It’s a great time of year to look and listen for owls and other nightlife. This is one of our most popular hikes with three highly experienced and knowledgeable GSWA naturalists. Be sure to dress for the weather and wear your warm socks for this hike. This is a free hike available to GSWA members only!

Free

Stewardship Day at the CMA

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

Start the new year off by giving back! Our boardwalks are in need of alignment after the recent rainstorms dumped a combined 6+ inches of rain at our Conservation Management Area. Come out and brave the cold this Friday from 12-3PM to help fix up our trails and enjoy a hard-earned cup of hot cider!

Free

CANCELED: Tracks & Scat Detective Hike

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

PLEASE NOTE This hike has been canceled due to the predicted snow/rain storm over the weekend. Thank you for your understanding.   Ever wondered how to sleuth what animals are visiting an area - even when you are not rewarded with a sighting of the creature itself? As we enjoy a leisurely paced hike in the refuge, learn more about the scat (poop), tracks, and other markers our native wildlife leave to clue us into their presence. We will provide binoculars and poking sticks to help us get up close to these fascinating clues that enable you to become great wildlife detectives. Conditions can be wet or muddy. Wear appropriate footwear and dress warmly.

Free – $40.00

Free Zoom Webinar: Why We Love NJ’s Open Spaces

Zoom Webinar NJ, United States

Due to the snowstorm, this program will now be conducted via Zoom. The time remains the same, 6-7:30 PM.  Please note: Registration closes at 5:30 pm, January 16.  There’s a lot of news about climate change and the devastating effects it has and will continue to have on the state of New Jersey. Now, who’s ready for some good news? Join Dave Robinson, NJ State Climatologist and distinguished professor of geography at Rutgers University (and GSWA board member!) and discover why we are fortunate to live in the great state of New Jersey, thanks in part to our many scenic open spaces. From the Pine Barrens to the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Dave will talk about how these geologic gems are more than just beautiful places to hike and relax, they also serve a valuable function in our ecosystem, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Free – $40.00

Creating a Woodland Garden with Indigenous Plants & Vertical Structure

Zoom Webinar Morristown, NJ, United States

Our kickoff webinar for the Plants for Pollinators series will discuss how to employ diversity in vertical strata in a woodland garden design using native understory plants and shrubs.  Jean Epiphan, agricultural and resources agent and assistant professor with Rutgers Cooperative Extension in Morris County will be our guide.  Jean will review the best choices of natural and green mulches to restore soil health and support native species.  Jean draws from her experience in local forest research as well as practice in ornamental shade gardening to restore natural processes that fuel healthy native plant community rehabilitation.         Register for the rest of the 4 part webinar series HERE This streamlined registration not only guarantees timely reminder emails with the Zoom link for each of the four talks, but also ensures that you receive recording links for all four webinars within 48 hours of each talk’s conclusion. For those interested in specific talks, you can register individually for the 3 remaining webinars:  Feb 15, 7-8 PM - Plug in To Native Groundcovers Mar 13, 7-8 PM - Pollinator Conservation: Creating and Protecting Habitat for NJ’s Bees, Butterflies, and Biodiversity Apr 1, 12-1 PM - Plant Sale Overview While this […]

Free – $40.00

Plant for Pollinators Webinar Series – FREE

Zoom Webinar Morristown, NJ, United States

Building a "Jersey-friendly yard" creates a healthy foundation of soil, conserves water, attracts and supports wildlife, and adds beauty and interest to your home landscape. Leading up to our 4th annual online Native Pollinator Plant Sale on April 1, we have secured three nationally recognized and diverse speakers to present at monthly webinars. Scroll to the very bottom and register to attend all 4 programs at once at the click of a button. This streamlined registration not only guarantees timely reminder emails with the Zoom link for each of the four talks, but also ensures that you receive recording links for all four webinars within 48 hours of each talk’s conclusion. For those interested in specific talks, individual sign-ups are available below. Register for individual programs below: January 18, 7-8 PM: Creating a Woodland Garden with Indigenous Plants & Vertical Structure. Speaker: Jean Epiphan, agricultural resources agent and assistant professor with Rutgers Cooperative Extension in Morris County | Register HERE February 15, 7-8 PM: Plug in to Native Groundcovers. Speaker: John Courtney, owner of Kind Earth Nursery |  Register HERE March 13, 7-8PM: Pollinator Conservation: Creating and Protecting Habitat for NJ’s Bees, Butterflies, and Biodiversity. Speaker: Kelly Gill, Pollinator Conservation Specialist from […]

Free – $40.00

Please see important notice below: Wolf Moon Hike

Primrose Farm (Enter from Barrett Field) Barrett Field, 1413-000460000-000020001-00000, Morristown, NJ

Important Notice: We are monitoring the weather for this hike. While Primrose Farm is higher ground than our board-walked swamp, it can still get muddy in rain. Be sure to wear appropriate boots and rain gear! If the temperatures drop and the rain turns icy, we may adjust our plans accordingly for driving conditions. January night hikes can be tough, but we hope to conduct the hike unless we feel it is unsafe. We will make the final decision by noon, January 24 and will email everyone and update this site. Thank you for your patience!   Join us for a leisurely stroll through the Primrose Farm meadow as the full moon lights the winter sky. The January full moon, known as the "wolf moon" is named after wolves who tend to howl more often during the winter season. The moon will guide us through this relaxing winter hike, and if there happens to be snow on the ground, we can look for tracks and other signs of the critters who call Primrose Farm home. Dress for the weather and be sure to wear appropriate footwear.

$5.00 – $15.00