Native plants can be tricky to ID even throughout the growing season, so identifying plants in the dead of winter seems next to impossible. But it is not! Come join our very own Ginger Van Ryzin to learn some of the tip and tricks to winter flower identification. Dress for the weather and be sure to wear appropriate footwear.
Come learn the benefits of using native groundcovers in the garden bed. Guest speaker, John Courtney, is the owner of Kind Earth Nursery and the supplier of many of the plugs used in GSWA’s Plant for Pollinators sale program. John will discuss pollinator-benefiting native alternatives to some of the more traditional non-native groundcovers such as the dreaded vinca vine and pachysandra. John will share how to properly manage these groundcovers for visual and ecological impact. You will also learn more about getting "plugged in” utilizing landscape plugs for a more economical solution to covering large square footage areas of the yard without breaking the bank. Register for the rest of the 4 part webinar series HERE This streamlined registration not only guarantees timely reminder emails with the Zoom link for each of the four talks, but also ensures that you receive recording links for all four webinars within 48 hours of each talk’s conclusion. For those interested in specific talks, you can register individually for the 2 remaining webinars: Mar 13, 7-8 PM - Pollinator Conservation: Creating and Protecting Habitat for NJ’s Bees, Butterflies, and Biodiversity Apr 1, 12-1 PM - Native Pollinator Online Plant Program Overview While […]
SORRY, THIS HIKE IS SOLD OUT Please email [email protected] if you need to cancel, or to be placed on a waitlist There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes. So no more excuses! It's time to bundle up, get back outside, and feel the rejuvenating power of nature on this relaxing night hike. The February full moon is known as the "Snow Moon" because lots of snow is generally found on the ground in most Northern Hemisphere countries during this time. Come experience it for yourself. Be sure to wear appropriate footwear, dress for the weather, and bring a reusable water bottle and snacks if you so choose.
Pollinators and other beneficial insects are experiencing drastic and widespread declines making pollinator conservation a national and New Jersey priority. However, we can all play a role in protecting pollinators and beneficial insects and the important ecological services they provide. Join the Xerces Society’s Kelly Gill to learn how you can best support pollinators in your NJ yard, garden, and local landscapes by planting native flowering plants, enhancing nesting and overwintering habitat, and reducing pesticide risk. Kelly will include case studies on pollinators included in this year’s plant kits and focus on pollinator needs throughout the seasons. Register for the 1 remaining webinars in this 4-part series: Apr 1, 12-1 PM - Plant Sale Overview While this program is free for all participants, a suggested donation of $5-$10 is appreciated to help offset the cost of bringing you this great, nationally recognized speaker. :-) Mark Your Calendar: Apr 1, 1:30 PM - Native Plants for Pollinators online sale opens Apr 1 @ 1:30 PM and runs through Apr 19 @ 5 PM. Learn more about native pollinator plants, gardening, and GSWA's online plant sale HERE.
SORRY, THIS WORKSHOP IS SOLD OUT Please email [email protected] if you need to cancel, or to be placed on a waitlist Did you know some bees don’t live in hives? Come get the scoop about pollinator boxes and how they benefit the environment. This workshop will be “the bee’s knees!” (We apologize for that.) Join us for an evening of building, learning and all-around good fun as we talk about the importance of solitary bees and pollinator habitats to the ecosystem, and build a pollinator box of your own to take home! Cost: $30/box. This workshop is limited to the first 10 people who register. Missing this event will really sting, so make sure you register today!
Spring is just around the corner, and all the plants and animals around us are preparing for the upcoming season. Come learn about how our flora and fauna survive the winter season, and what cues let them know that spring is coming. You will also get to learn some history of the area! Weather conditions in early March can be extremely variable, so please make sure to dress appropriately. The hike will be just over 3 miles long with 400 feet of elevation change.
SORRY, THIS HIKE IS SOLD OUT Please email [email protected] if you need to cancel, or to be placed on a waitlist 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, called vernal pools, provide a perfect opportunity to learn more about Mother Nature here in New Jersey. But we have to hurry! They disappear quickly. This 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 upon a few unassuming puddles of water on the forest floor. Warm clothing and waterproof footwear, especially hiking boots, are strongly recommended.
There has been a change in speaker for this webinar. To launch Day 1 of our 4th Annual Native "Plant for Pollinators" sale, GSWA's Education, Land Steward, and Water Quality Associate, Ginger Van Ryzin, will provide an in-depth look at each of the 37 selections being offered as individual species and within six kits suitable for a range of garden conditions. Ginger will review why native plants are important, cover the new species in this year’s sale, and delve into the various pollinator species these native plants will particularly attract. Learn more about how to start, add, or amend your growing native pollinator garden. You’ll leave energized knowing the amazing benefits these 37 different native species can bring to your yard and you'll be ready to shop the sale. We will also walk you through our online storefront, simple ordering process, and amazing online resources on the site. If you’re considering starting or expanding your native pollinator garden, you’re going to want to check this out! You will receive your Zoom link prior to the start of the webinar. While this speaker program series is free for all participants, a suggested donation of $5-$10 is appreciated to help offset the […]
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 Friday 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!
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.
