Join us for a sunset hike as we explore the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. We’ll be listening to and identifying the sounds of a summer night – crickets, tree frogs, and maybe even some owls – as we traverse the boardwalk at the Wildlife Observation Center.
Join GSWA and speaker Mark Gallagher for an update on the proposed Pilgrim Pipeline, a 178 mile bi-directional pipeline that will run from Albany, NY to Linden, NJ, and how it will affect the Great Swamp Watershed. This evening briefing will take place at the Library of the Chathams. Registration recommended.
Experience breathtaking views of the city of Paterson, the New York City Skyline and much more as GSWA Education Associate Dan Ross leads a hiking expedition further down the Passaic! Designated as a National Natural Landmark within the National Park Service, Garret Mountain is a top birding location of both local and migratory species, and is home to a variety of wildlife and geological conditions to observe.
Join GSWA Education Associate Dan Ross as he leads a fun filled hike along the Horizon trail at the CMA and learn about why deciduous trees lose their leaves in the fall, why they change colors and other interesting facts along the way! Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for squirrels and chipmunks collecting nuts for the coming months, and observe the forest changing as it prepares for the cooler months to come.
Fertilizers are a traditional method of replenishing missing nutrients to the soil to enhance the growth of plants and trees. However, commonly used synthetic fertilizers are causing more harm than good. Not only are synthetic fertilizers dangerous to the health of our children and pets, their use has serious environmental repercussions. Join us as we discuss the far reaching and long lasting effects that synthetic fertilizers are having on our environment with Anthony Sblendorio, Founder of Back to Nature Home & Garden in Basking Ridge, NJ. As a nationally recognized social entrepreneur and one of the pioneers of sustainable and regenerative design in NJ, Mr. Sblendorio and Back to Nature are committed to the eradication of synthetic fertilizer use. As a show of this commitment, Mr. Sblendorio invites each attendee to bring a bag of synthetic fertilizer that they’re currently using in their garden and to exchange it for a bag organic fertilizer for free. (One bag for each attendee of this program.)
Embrace your inner Columbus and explore Giralda Farms in Chatham Township with GSWA. Hikers will have the chance to create some fall crafts before hitting the trails. Once the hike begins, your guides, GSWA’s director of education and outreach, Hazel England, and GSWA education associate, Dan Ross, will teach you how to look for signs of wildlife that are getting ready for winter or migrating through. Registration Required.
As the shadows lengthen and the day’s light grows shorter, enjoy some warm apple cider along a late afternoon hike as NPS Park Historian Eric Olsen and GSWA Education Associate Dan Ross tell seasonal stories about the origins of the Jack O’ Lantern, old time superstitions, and explore other tales and folklore to the backdrop of historic Jockey Hollow. You might just want to bring along your own lantern to ward off any evil spirits that might be lingering nearby!
What effect do the combination of deer and invasive plants have on New Jersey’s forests? What impact on tree regeneration or tick populations do different deer management programs have? Dr. Jay F. Kelly, Associate Professor of Biology and Environmental Science at Raritan Valley Community College, and Nellie Tsipoura from NJ Audubon will discuss the results of a three year study he conducted in partnership with NJ Audubon on the effects of deer and invasive plants in central New Jersey. More than 100 forests were studied in the Piedmont region of the Raritan Watershed, assessing the effectiveness of a variety of deer management strategies, from exclosures to hunting. Registration required.
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 living room or porch for the holidays too! All too often invasive plants such as oriental bittersweet are selected for decorative purposes and they can then spread their berries and seeds, increasing their reach even further! Learn how to make beautiful arrangements using only native plant materials in this fun workshop and bring home a decorative piece for the holidays!
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! Bring boots and a pair of clean shoes to change into. Tools and supplies are provided. Preferred volunteers are 15 or older. Includes indoor & outdoor sessions.
