Stream Assessment Training- FREE

Morristown & Morris Township Library 1 Miller Rd, Morristown, NJ, United States

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. There will be an indoor training which will be hybrid for those who can not attend in person. This session teaches you how to conduct visual and biological stream assessments and recognize environmental factors that could impact stream health. This will be followed by a outdoor field training to practice your new-found skills at a local stream site. By the 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.

Free – $40.00

Plant Program Panel / Q&A

Zoom Webinar NJ, United States

3 friendly, local native plant enthusiasts with years of experience will be available in an interactive webinar to help answer your questions and share advice about choosing, planting, growing and sustaining native plants. You will be able to email questions in advance or ask them during the webinar. Bridget Daley has been an avid gardener for 20+ years. In the last few years, she has immersed herself in learning about and planting native plants. In her yard, Bridget has been shrinking the lawn and removing non-natives -- many of which she previously planted -- including common invasives like English ivy. So far she has replaced them with 71 species of native plants, including trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. Bridget also co-led, with fellow Rutgers Environmental Steward Joan Maccari, the creation of Madison Public Schools Pollinator Habitat, a community project that replaced lawn and non-native shrubs with 600 native plants. She is a member of the Madison Environmental Commission. Jess Miller is a designer by trade and a native plant geek in her off time.  She is a volunteer with the NPSNJ and maintain a Little Native Seed Library outside of her South Orange home.  She works with her local community to […]

Free – $40.00

FULL- Volunteer for Community Workday

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

THIS COMMUNITY WORKDAY HAS BEEN FILLED Please email [email protected] if you can no longer make it, or to be placed on a waitlist 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 Saturday at the GSWA Conservation Management Area (CMA) to help us steward the land. We will work from 10AM to 1PM and enjoy some well-earned snacks. 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 Saturday morning? See you there!

Free

CANCELLED: Spring Flower Paddle- AM

Somerset County Park Commission, Fisherman's Parking Lot Approx. 170 Lord Stirling Road, Basking Ridge, NJ

DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES, THIS PADDLE HAS BEEN CANCELLED. WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE THIS MAY HAVE CAUSED.   Spring Flower AM Paddle Kick off your day with a peaceful spring paddle at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. By late-April, most tree are bursting with buds with their leaves ready to emerge. Birds like pine warblers and woodcocks are migrating back our way. Spring peepers and chorus frogs are calling. Come experience all this and more from a magical place - the middle of the Passaic River at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. 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 then 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 […]

$30.00 – $40.00

CANCELLED: Spring Flower Paddle- PM

Somerset County Park Commission, Fisherman's Parking Lot Approx. 170 Lord Stirling Road, Basking Ridge, NJ

DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES, THIS PADDLE HAS BEEN CANCELLED. WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE THIS MAY HAVE CAUSED.   Spring Flower PM Paddle Kick off your day with a peaceful spring paddle at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. By late-April, most tree are bursting with buds with their leaves ready to emerge. Birds like pine warblers and woodcocks are migrating back our way. Spring peepers and chorus frogs are calling. Come experience all this and more from a magical place - the middle of the Passaic River at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.   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 then 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 […]

$30.00 – $40.00

View the Map and Sale Items: Madison & The Chathams Town-wide Yard Sale May 2024

Registration is now closed and it looks like good weather for tomorrow's yard sale! CLICK HERE FOR A DIGITAL MAP OF ALL YARD SALE PARTICIPANTS CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF SALE ITEMS (PS - if you missed registration, you can still conduct a yard sale without appearing on the map.)   RAIN DATE: SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2024 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 the at this community event. Scroll to the bottom of this page and register to 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 far and wide to potential shoppers.  You must be a resident of Chatham Township, Chatham Borough or Madison to list your sale. Registration Fee: $10 tax-deductible donation to benefit Great Swamp Watershed Association. Everyone else, mark your calendar for May 4 to get out and shop sustainably at this amazing three-town-wide yard sale! Be sure to check back here on May 3 before you head out to download […]

$10.00

ONLINE TICKET SALES CLOSED: 7th Annual Great Swamp Great Music Festival

Drew University Simon Forum 36 Madison Ave., Madison, NJ, United States

Online ticket purchasing is now closed. Tickets may be purchased at the door at Drew University - 36 Madison Ave., Madison:  Adults-$40 • Students/Senior Citizens/Military-$30 • Children under 13 are still FREE. Credit cards, Paypal, cash, and checks accepted.   PLEASE NOTE, DUE TO THE ONGOING RAIN, THE FARM FIELDS AT OUR ORIGINAL VENUE ARE FLOODED, SO WE HAVE DECIDED TO MOVE THE FESTIVAL INDOORS TO THE BEAUTIFULLY RENOVATED DREW UNIVERSITY BALDWIN GYMNASIUM AT 36 MADISON AVENUE IN MADISON, NJ.  We chose this backup location because it is spacious and accessible, and other great music events have been hosted successfully at this venue. Drew also offers convenient parking, including a lot right in front of the Simon Forum. You will enjoy the same exceptional music festival activities while staying dry and mud-free! The festival location has changed, but everything else remains the same! Bring your chairs or blankets, or utilize the bleacher seating, for 6+ hours of live music in celebration of clean water and open space. Enjoy adult beverages and a variety of food from our food trucks. Our fabulous merch vendors and the Kids’ Corner will be in the lobby just outside the gymnasium along with the restrooms. […]

Free – $30.00

CANCELLED: Birds and Bees

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

DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES, THIS HIKE HAS BEEN CANCELLED. PLEASE CONTINUE TO CHECK BACK FOR NEW HIKES AND EVENTS.   Spring is in full swing here in the refuge, and its a great time to start honing you pollinator identification. Come join naturalist Ginger on a leisurely stroll through the refuge as we look for some birds and bees doing their spring thing. We will be hiking just under 2 miles on a flat, coarse gravel road.

Free – $10.00

GSWA 2023 Water Quality Report Card – Free

Morristown & Morris Township Library 1 Miller Rd, Morristown, NJ, United States

GSWA will present the 2023 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 […]

Free – $40.00

SOLD OUT: Paddle the Passaic Pre-Sunset

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

If you cannot attend, please email [email protected] to cancel so we can invite the next person on the waitlist. Pre-Sunset Paddle: 4:30 - 6:00 pm Ease into your weekend with a leisurely paddle on the Passaic River. As you experience beautiful golden hour 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. There are 7 spots available per session – only 2 spots 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. 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 then 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 meet up location is Essex County Environmental Center. The GSWA kayaks, […]

$30.00 – $40.00