Stream Assessment Training

Summit Free Public Library 75 Maple Street, Summit, NJ

If you are interested in becoming a stream monitoring volunteer or just learning more about stream health, this is the training for you! An early-morning indoor classroom session helps you learn how to conduct a visual stream assessment and recognize environmental factors that may impact stream health. A late-morning outdoor session helps you practice your new-found skills at a local stream site. By afternoon, you will be a fully trained visual-stream assessment volunteer ready to conduct a new assessment next spring! Tools and supplies are provided. Preferred volunteers are 15 or older. Includes indoor & outdoor sessions. Registration required. Register online at GreatSwamp.org, or call (973) 538-3500.

“Back to Nature” Craft n’ Hike

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

We team up with Madison Mud: A Clay Studio, to bring nature right into your own home. Sandra LaVigne, GSWA Director of Water Quality, will lead a hike at our Conservation Management Area. As we discuss fall foliage, get inspired to create our own bit of nature! Participants will have the opportunity along the hike to collect samples of leaves that inspire them and press them into an artistic clay tile. Melanie, of Madison Mud, will glaze your tiles with your choice of color. Tiles must be picked up at Madison Mud, Main St, Madison, date to be determined (approximately 10 days after the hike). Madison Mud has generously offered GSWA an additional fundraising opportunity! When you pick up your tile at the studio, if you chose to create another building project with Madison MUD, half the studio fee for your additional project will be donated to GSWA  (the cost of this optional additional project is $30). This opportunity will be available from the appointed pick up date through December 1, 2017. You create a beautiful handmade piece of pottery and help to support GSWA at the same time! Further details available at the hike. Space is limited and registration […]

Beaver Moon Hike

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

November’s full moon is known as the “Beaver Moon.” According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, Algonquin Native Americans and American colonists called the November moon the “Beaver Moon” because “this was the time to set beaver traps before the swamps froze, to ensure a supply of warm winter furs.” Join Great Swamp Watershed Association as we hike the moonlit trails, and listen for nighttime creatures. The open canopy cover and bright moonlight provide the perfect backdrop to hear and spot owls, as they become more active for the mating season. Registration required.  Register online or call (973) 538-3500.   Please note this address is approximate: Barrett Field contains the parking lot. Please use this lot for parking.

Sold Out Free – $40.00

Crafting With Native Plants

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

Native plants not only provide critical food and habitats for our birds and woodland animals, but they can also bring a pop of color and décor to your home! All too often invasive plants such as oriental bittersweet are selected for decorative purposes but this is just one way how they spread and cause damage to our environment. They are not able to sustain anywhere near the bio-diversity that our native plants can support. By using native plants such as cattails, sensitive fern fronds, dried goldenrod and other beautiful native floral items you will learn how to make beautiful arrangements using only native plant materials in this fun workshop and bring home a decorative piece for the holidays.

“Nuts About the Fall” Hike with GSWA

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

Join GSWA’s Dan Ross on a journey through the forest as we crunch brightly colored fallen leaves under foot and search for signs of fall! Learn why different trees’ leaves turn vibrant colors in autumn, and which trees are responsible for depositing which nuts, seeds, and berries on the forest floor. This fun-filled family event is intended for all ages. We encourage attendees to dress for the weather, and be on the look-out for squirrels and chipmunks busily stowing away their winter spoils!

Get Tickets Free – $40.00

Volunteer Workday at the CMA

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

Help us maintain and improve access to our 53-acre Conservation Management Area (CMA) located in Harding Township, while burning off some calories before the gluttonous winter holidays. This natural gem includes areas of upland forest, swamp, and wetlands. Tasks will include trail maintenance, fence repair, and invasive plant removal, (there will also be lighter tasks available). If you have a leaf blower and are happy to share, we’d love to clear the trails ready for winter hikers to find their way around. Bring your best holiday-season energy and enthusiasm! Conditions may be wet, muddy or chilly. Long pants and sturdy shoes or boots are essential. We'll bring the coffee and donuts to fuel our work. Participants under 14 must be accompanied by a parent, and community service hours can be earned for your school. Registration is required.

Downstream Adventures: Glenhurst Meadows Hike

Glenhurst Meadows 185 Mountain Avenue, Warren, NJ, United States

Walk off that Thanksgiving meal with a family-friendly hike through wetland fields and meadows alongside the meandering Passaic River and Cory's Brook. Birders, grab your binoculars and some friends, and come take advantage of this highly acclaimed birding location! Led by GSWA Education Associate, Dan Ross, this is generally a wet location so guests are encouraged to wear boots and clothing that may get muddy. Please dress for the weather and feel free to bring a snack and some water. Registration is required.

Get Tickets Free – $40.00

Homemade Holiday Sweets & Savories Tasting

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

Sample eight tasty appetizer and adult beverage pairings, and take home the recipes to recreate for your family and friends. Whether you're entertaining for the holidays or looking for some unique and inexpensive gift solutions from your own kitchen, we've got some exciting ideas for you. Let loose your inner baker and/or mixologist! This event is free to non-members, and to GSWA members who bring a non-member friend as a guest. Members coming alone or with other members can join in on the fun too, for a donation of $25. Registration required.

Get Tickets Free – $25.00

Hike – Taking Inspiration from the Swamp

Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge 220 Long Hill Road, Gillette, NJ, United States

Grab your camera, or your art journal for a walk on the wild side- Wildlife Refuge side, that is! We will focus on looking at nature through the lens of art- whether that is a physical lens of a camera, or a metaphorical lens.  Let nature be your muse on on this natural history exploration through the Management Area of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. We will help spark your imagination to get those creative juices flowing as you practice your art journaling, sketching, and 5-minute inspirations. With your permission, we will display the finished artworks on our website. This is a great way to get in the right mindset for the winter season. We will meet at the Bluebird Parking Lot (midway between the Refuge Headquarters and the Helen Fenske Visitor center on the right hand side if heading North.) Registration required.

Get Tickets Free – $40.00

Breakfast Briefing – Environmentally Safe Alternatives to Rock Salt

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

Got salt? There's more than one way to break the ice!  Before you head out to purchase your snow clearing supplies, come learn about the impacts of traditional rock salt to the environment and its organisms, and some environmentally safe alternatives. Steven Vernik, Vice President of Gaia Enterprises and Director of Operations, Sales, and Marketing, will provide relevant information for homeowners, businesses, and municipal leaders alike. All who attend will leave with some product samples, and a grab-bag of winter necessities generously provided by Long Hill Township. Registration required.

Get Tickets Free – $10.00