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.

Help us maintain and improve access to our 55-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). Bring your best holiday-season energy and enthusiasm! Conditions may be wet and muddy. Long pants and sturdy shoes or boots are essential. We’ll bring the coffee and donuts to fuel our work. Must be 12 years or older to participate.    

Make a pilgrimage to South Mountain Reservation and join GSWA Education Associate Dan Ross in burning off some excess calories after the holiday binge. We’ll enjoy the scenery of this beautiful Essex County Park, explore the trail system and catch some native wildlife making preparations for the long cold months to follow. You truly won’t want to miss this second installment of our downstream adventures! Please note: This is a difficult hike of over 5 mile and considerable elevation.  

Go behind the scenes at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge to places that are not open to the public during this special members-only hike. GSWA Director of Education and Outreach, Hazel England will show you some of the natural wonders that are squirreled away behind the scenes at the refuge. Warm clothing and waterproof footwear — especially hiking boots — are very strongly recommended for this hike.    

Join Education Associate Dan Ross for a fun filled DIY workshop at GSWA’s office. Learn how to make your very own holiday themed candles, and bring home this rustic keepsake that will be sure to light up your holiday gatherings, or to be given as a creative and unique gift.