RESCHEDULED TO DEC 15: Behind-the-Scenes Talk & Tour at the Refuge

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

Grab your camera and join the adventure as we lead you on a special journey through the wildlife management area, not typically open to the general public. Staff and volunteers from GSNWR and GSWA will help identify wildlife and migratory birds and you may even spot a bald eagle or two! Following the hike, Nic Platt, Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA) Board President, will provide a brief history of the Great Swamp that nearly became a jetport. This tour is co-sponsored by GSWA and GSNWR. Location: Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Bluebird Parking Lot, 197 Pleasant Plains Road, Harding Township. Please check refuge Facebook page for weather-related cancellation: https://www.facebook.com/GreatSwampNWR Registration is required.

Sold Out Free

Jockey Hollow Then & Now Hike

Visitor Center, Morristown National Historical Park 600 Tempe Wick Road, Morristown, New Jersey

To commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the first public announcement of the proposed 10,000-acre jetport, we invite you to spend the afternoon with nature and history. Together we will explore Jockey Hollow’s past, its present, and what might have been if the landmark victory over the jetport never happened, and the Great Swamp didn't exist. This special event is provided in partnership with Morristown National Historical Park and GSWA. Registration is required.

New Year’s Resolution Hike

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

With the hectic holiday festivities behind us let’s indulge in something a little different – nature! Kick off your new year with an energizing hike at our Conservation Management Area (CMA). It's a great way to burn off some of those holiday calories while treating yourself to the sights and sounds of the woodland creatures who call the CMA their home. Dress for the weather including your waterproof boots. Although we have built many boardwalks along the trails, there may be some snow and slush. Registration is required. This event is free to all GSWA members

Get Tickets Free – $40.00

SOLD OUT: Moonlight Hike at the Refuge WOC

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

We're sorry, this hike is full. But while you're here check out our other upcoming hikes and programs! What is it about a winter night hike that's so peaceful? Maybe it's the muffled sound of boots crunching on the snow. Perhaps it's the curious owls asking "whoooooo's" there? There are only right answers. This is your opportunity to visit the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge's Wildlife Observation Center and find out for yourself. The full moon will illuminate the night's sky revealing more of the habitat and critters of the Refuge. And if you haven't experienced a night hike with GSWA's Hazel England, it's time to fix that! Dress for the weather and be sure to wear your waterproof boots.

Sold Out Free – $40.00

Cross Estate Gardens & Historical Hike

Cross Estate Gardens 61 Jockey Hollow Rd, Bernardsville, NJ, United States

SOLD OUT If you need to cancel or have questions over the weekend please call your tour guide, Adam Palmer, on his cell @ 908-399-5610. The gardens may be sleeping for the winter, but the diurnal (active during the daytime) wildlife will be very much awake as we check out the garden areas and buildings of the early-20th century Cross Estate Gardens. We will also venture through the site of George Washington and the Continental Army's encampment in the winter of 1779-80 during the American Revolutionary War. Located within the Morristown National Historical Park, this area is steeped in American history, and it remains a beautifully unspoiled place to get away and reconnect with nature. If there's snow we will look for fresh tracks to follow. Lots of winter birds like woodpeckers, juncos, and flickers will be flitting about so be sure to bring your binoculars. We will bring a few extras as backup. Dress for the weather and wear your well-tractioned, waterproof boots. This event is free to all GSWA members, a $10 donation is appreciated from non-member adults, $5 for children. Registration is required.  

Sold Out Free – $40.00

Workshop: Ditch the Plastic & Chemicals

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

Let’s change behaviors. If you're wondering how to kick the plastic wrap habit in the kitchen, we've got solutions. And speaking of solutions, maybe you're pondering what the harsh chemicals in your household cleansers are doing to your family and the environment? Let us help you get your home a little more eco-friendly with 3 do-it-yourself projects: a surface cleaner made from household ingredients, 3 reusable beeswax food storage covers, and 3 reusable produce shopping bags. Take it all home along with simple how-to instructions to make more, all for $30. They also make great gifts. This workshop is limited to the first 20 people to register so sign up today!

Evening Briefing: The Joy of Backyard Bird Feeding

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

Backyard bird feeding is easy, fun, and connects us with our environment in a very personal way. Did you know that with minimal effort you can attract over 30 different species of native birds to your backyard? Attracting birds is a great way to bring us closer to nature, providing hours of entertainment for you and your family. Join us as Pete Axelrod of Wild Birds Unlimited reviews the how-to's, providing tips on using bird feeders, water and shelter to attract native birds. Also learn how to discourage the presence of nuisance animals. Come learn how to make your yard bird-friendly.

Get Tickets Free – $40.00

Dog Hike at the CMA

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

Calling all pooches! Grab your family and a leash, and c’mon out to the CMA for a much-needed, mid-winter hike. We know you’re ready to get some fresh air and sniff new smells. This is your day! We only ask that you play nice with other dogs, remain on your leash for the full hike, and ask your humans to bring you some water and pet waste bags. There is a limit of 15 pups (but no limit on the number of humans) so shake a leg and register today! This event is free for GSWA members, non-members: suggested donation of $10 for adults and $5 for children.

Sold Out Free – $40.00

Pre-Valentine’s Day Martini & Cosmo Tasting

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

You've made the right choice! GSWA is concocting love potions to put you in the mood for Valentine's Day. From a classic cosmo to a dill pickle martini, sample eight different cosmo & martini drinks that are sure to amuse you. Enjoy a variety of treats that compliment these tasty cocktails. Play along with our pub-style quiz and you may earn a prize while learning a little more about clean water and the environment. Attend this "cosmotini" tasting on your own, with friends, or with your Valentine. Who knows, you may even discover a new favorite drink! And you will leave with recipes to make them all at home! This event is free to all non-members, as well as all GSWA members who bring a non-member friend. Come have a fun pre-Valentine's Day evening on us - we're a great match! Must be 21+ to consume alcohol - IDs will be checked. Registration is required. Please note:  Due to parking constraints at our location, attendees must park at the Jockey Hollow Visitor Center located 1/2 mile  from our building: 600 Tempe Wick Road, Morristown, NJ. A shuttle will take you to/from our building. We appreciate your cooperation. 

Get Tickets Free – $25.00

Kids Winter Nature Detectives Hike

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

This event is SOLD OUT - please do not call with requests to be added to the guest list at this time. Federal refuge guidelines limit the number of people who access the "closed-off" portion of the refuge. We cannot accommodate anymore hikers. Please sign up for a future hike!  Are your kids ready for a fun and educational outdoor activity? Gather up your family and head outside for an adventure through the snowy forest. Together, we will set off in hot pursuit of the region’s most-wanted wintertime wildlife on this nature detective discovery hike at Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. Learn how to identify animals from their tracks, scats and other leave-behind clues. Spy on secret hideouts used by birds, wintering insects, and other woodland creatures. Unmask the dining preferences of deer, raccoons, and even coyotes by putting the magnifying glass to some scat. All this detective work is easier than you think, plus its fun being outdoors in the winter! We will also talk about their winter-time activities and how the Refuge critters survive the coldest months of the year in anticipation of the spring thaw. Fun for all ages but especially for children ages 5 to 10. […]

Sold Out Free – $40.00