Buttermilk Falls Hike

India Brook Park 131 Shady Ln, Mendham, NJ, United States

Don’t be left out in the cold this January, join GSWA education associate Dan Ross as he leads a winter hike through Buttermilk Falls Natural Area in Mendham. You will get a chance to check out the remnants of what was once the Mendham Water Company, and abandoned relics from the area’s iron ore mining past. Along the way we will also keep our eyes peeled for woodland creatures prepping for the long cold months ahead! Registration required. Register online or by calling 973-538-3500.    

Crafting Workshop: Create Your Own Walking Stick

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

Join GSWA and retired Science teacher turned walking-stick-guru for a fun-filled DIY workshop at GSWA’s office. Learn how to make your very own walking stick to hit the trails with. You’ll be able to choose from a variety of rough sticks, including red cedar, maple, beech, and iron wood, and walk away with a finished product and the knowledge of how to create one on your own! All tools and safety equipment will be provided. Registration required. Register online or by calling 973-538-3500.    

Full Snow Moon Hike

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

February’s full moon is known as the “Full Snow Moon”, due to February’s tendency to have the heaviest snowfall. Native American tribes in the area also called this moon the “Hunger Moon” because of difficulty to find food during this time of year. Join GSWA as we hike the moonlit trails of our Conservation Management Area (CMA), 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. Warm clothing and waterproof footwear — especially hiking boots — are very strongly recommended for this hike. Registration Required. Register online or by calling 973-538-3500.  

Guided Dog Walk

Passaic River Park 161 Springfield Ave, Berkeley Heights, NJ, United States

Come explore the Passaic River Park with your furry friend! We’ll see what we can sniff out in the woods. Leash required, and you will be asked to sign a waiver prior to participation. Walk will be over uneven and sometimes slippery terrain. Please dress according to the weather and bring your own waste bags. Registration required. Register online or by calling (973) 538-3500.    

Breakfast Briefing: How to Build Your Own Rain Garden

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

In this in-depth how-to breakfast briefing, GSWA Director of Education and Outreach, Hazel England, will discuss the benefits of managing stormwater by installing a rain garden in your home. Rain Gardens are shallow depressions, planted with shrubs and perennials that absorb stormwater runoff from roofs, driveways, and other impervious surfaces, helping to recharge groundwater, slow flooding, and reduce nonpoint source pollution in our waterways. Hazel will discuss everything from how to pick the right location for your rain garden, to how to create it, and what plants to include. You’ll leave armed with the knowledge needed to create your own rain garden this spring. Registration required. Register online or by calling 973-538-3500. filename.doc

Sold Out Free – $40.00

Frog Watch Training Workshop

Helen Fenske Visitor Center 32 Pleasant Plains Rd, New Vernon, NJ, United States

Do you know your spring peepers from your wood frogs?  What does a leopard frog sound like and can they be found in your neighborhood?  Join GSWA and Tedor Whitman of Cora Hartshorn Arboretum for this hands-on training session to become an official FrogWatch volunteer. FrogWatch is a citizen science program that uses volunteer’s observations to create a database of frog and toad sightings, helping to establish long-term and large-scale data on amphibian populations. During the training, you’ll learn how to recognize different species of frogs and toads from their appearance and calls, and how to record your observations into the database.  We will work with you to select places around the region to monitor and you will be frog counting in no time!    

Get Tickets Free – $40.00

Taste of Nature Party

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

Have you ever tried dandelion wine? Do you know what types of wild plants can be harvested and eaten? Join us for this exciting spin on our always entertaining tasting events, where we will experiment with different food and drink made from New Jersey plants! This event is free to nonmembers and members who bring a nonmember friend as a guest (members coming alone or with other members can join in on the fun too, for a donation of $25). Not only that – but for each nonmember that walks through our door, an anonymous donor has pledged to contribute $25 to GSWA, and to match any gifts made to the organization, dollar-for-dollar.    

Get Tickets Free – $25.00

Pilgrim Pipeline – Valley Stables Tavern

Valley Stables tavern 588 Ramapo Valley Road (Route 202), Oakland, NJ, United States

Join Coalition Against Pilgrim Pipeline for a spirited fundraiser on Thursday, March 30th, 7-9pm at Valley Stables tavern, 588 Ramapo Valley Road (Route 202) in Oakland. Each ticket entitles you to two pints of beer brewed with New Jersey’s clean water, and Valley Stables appetizers.  We’ll see you there, and please spread the word among your friends!          

Vernal Pool Exploration Hike

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

THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT! With temperatures rising, the forest floor will be hopping with new life as frogs and other amphibians crowd into shallow puddles of water to breed and lay their eggs. These puddles, better known as vernal pools, provide a perfect opportunity to learn more about Mother Nature here in New Jersey. But hurry! They disappear quickly. GSWA’s annual Vernal Pool Exploration provides a fun, outdoor learning experience for kids and adults alike. Discover the differences between a spring peeper, a chorus frog, and a wood frog. Find out how far an endangered spotted salamander will walk to find a mating pool. And, learn how much everything we have come to appreciate about the springtime depends on a few unassuming puddles of water on the forest floor. Warm clothing and waterproof footwear — especially hiking boots — are very strongly recommended for this hike. Registration required. Register online or by calling 973-538-3500.

Breakfast Briefing: Microplastics in Our Water

Berkeley Heights YMCA 50 Springfield Avenue, Berkeley Heights, New Jersey

Urban watersheds are exposed to high concentrations of microplastic pollution due to the inability of wastewater treatment processes to remove these pollutants from widely used products. Join GSWA and NY/NJ Baykeeper's Sandra Meola as she discusses her studies on microbead pollution. In her study, microbead densities in Raritan and Passaic River surface waters were calculated, adsorbed persistent organic pollutants and plasticizers were analyzed, and toxicity effects determined by exposing model organisms to microbeads. Project partners Ironbound Community Corporation and NY/NJ Baykeeper participated in water sample collection, analysis, and creation of materials for community education and engagement. Register below or by calling 973-538-3500. This event is sponsored by Investors Bank, Madison Branch.

Get Tickets Free – $40.00