Another Stewardship Day at the CMA

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

The heatwave is over and the outdoors are ready for us to come back! The GSWA Conservation Management Area (CMA) desperately needs some tending to, and the long-range weather looks pleasant for that day. Ginger Van Ryzin, GSWA Manager of Stewardship and GIS Specialist, will be on-site 9AM - 1PM to dole out tasks and make sure you have everything you need to get the job done. If you give us some of your time and elbow grease, Ginger will reward you with some well-earned snacks! 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, share some laughs, and enjoy some snacks. It's an invigorating and feel-good way to start your day!

Free

Emergency Storm Repairs @ the CMA

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

The rain from Sunday's storm took a toll on our Conservation Management Area (CMA) in Harding Twp. Many of the boardwalks have been shifted and trails have been washed out. We've got some volunteers out there today, but there's lots more to be done. Please help us tackle these emergency repairs this Friday. The weather forecast predicts a beautiful day to be outdoors! Ginger Van Ryzin, GSWA Manager of Stewardship and GIS Specialist, will be on-site 9AM - 2PM to dole out tasks and make sure you have everything you need to get the job done. 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 water and snacks, bug spray, sun block, gloves, and all tools you will need. Thanks for lending your elbow grease to help get our trails back in usable shape!

Free

SOLD OUT: Friday the 13th Paddle

Essex County Environmental Center 621 Eagle Rock Ave, Roseland, NJ

THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT! Please email [email protected] if you need to cancel, or to be placed on a waitlist Come test your luck with a fun Friday the 13th paddle on the Passaic River. Children 8 and up are welcome. All participants 15 and under must be accompanied by a parent. There are 7 spots available per session – only 2 spots per registration. All participants must be able to swim, be comfortable on the water, and wear clothes and footwear that can (and will) get wet and muddy. Life vests will be provided. IMPORTANT – Kayak Waiver: Each participant MUST submit one of the forms below. If the person is under the age of 18 then a parent or guardian must sign their form and assume responsibility for the minor. Please complete, sign and bring the form(s) with you. The organizers will collect completed forms before put-in. Adult Attendee Minor Attendee The meet up location is Essex County Environmental Center. CANCELLATION POLICY: Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA) makes every effort to assure all programs and events go off as planned. Should an event be cancelled due to severe weather or other unexpected reasons, GSWA will promptly notify all registrants […]

$30.00 – $40.00

Friends of Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge Fall Festival

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

Celebrate some big milestones at GSNWR's annual Fall Festival: the 60th year of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, the 60th year of the Wilderness Act, and the 25th year of Friends of GSNWR. Activities will include target archery, hover ball, river seining, guided nature walks, games, and nature crafts for kids. Free grilled hot dogs will be available from 11 AM to 1:30 PM, and there's plenty of parking. This event hosted by Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and US Fish and Wildlife Service. Tickets are not required to attend this non-GSWA event.  

Members Only: Fall Flora and Fauna Hike

Glenhurst Preserve 185 Mountain Ave, Warren, NJ, United States

Thank you for being a GSWA member! As a show of appreciation, let us treat you to a meander through two miles of Passaic floodplain meadows and forests while admiring the beautiful fall fauna and flora. We will pass small ponds and walk along both Cory's Brook and the Passaic River. Trails may be muddy so bring shoes you don't mind getting dirty. The hike will be roughly 2 miles with relatively flat elevation. This is a free hike available to GSWA members only! Not a member? Not a problem. Purchase an annual family membership today at the discounted price of $40 (below) and you can come along!  Please note: once you purchase the membership, you will need to return to this site to reserve your tickets.  Email Izzy [email protected] with any questions or concerns!

Free – $40.00

CANCELLED – Stream Assessment Training

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

**CANCELLED: Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Stream Assessment Training has been cancelled. We apologize for any inconvenience. If you registered, expect an email soon with further details.** As our planet faces the challenges of climate change, it's more important than ever to connect with our environment. Join us for this free training workshop and discover how to become a stream health advocate. We'll start indoors at our Morristown headquarters, learning the basics of stream monitoring. Then, we'll head to our 73-acre Conservation Management Area (CMA) in Harding Township for a hands-on experience. (You must have your own transportation to travel between the sites.) By the end of the day, you'll be fully trained and equipped to assess the health of local streams and contribute to environmental conservation! Training begins 9am @ Great Swamp Watershed Association's headquarters: 568 Tempe Wick Rd., Morristown Training continues @ GSWA's Conservation Management Area (CMA): 1 Tiger Lily Ln., Harding Twp. (~8 minute drive from GSWA's HQ)

Free

REGISTRATION CLOSED: The Chathams & Madison Town-Wide Yard Sale Fall 2024

Registration for this event has closed.  Saturday looks like a great day for a community yard sale! Below are links to the digital map of yard sale host sites and a list of sale items by address. Check out both links ahead of time and plan your course of action to get outside and shop sustainably! Click to view DIGITAL MAP Click to view SALE ITEMS by ADDRESS Please direct any questions to the Environmental Commission of The Chathams and Madison at [email protected] Everyone else, mark your calendar for October 19 to get out and shop sustainably at this amazing three-town-wide yard sale!       Yard Sale Registration Info: Registration Fee: $10 tax-deductible donation to benefit Great Swamp Watershed Association. Registration Deadline: Wednesday, October 16, 2024 @ 11:30 PM **You must be a resident of Chatham Township, Chatham Borough, or Madison to list your sale. One person's trash is another person's treasure. Now is the time to start checking your closets, basement, and garage for those hidden treasures and prepare to host a yard sale at this community event. Scroll to the bottom of this page to register and have your address and a list of your items for sale […]

$10.00

SOLD OUT: Madison Tree Identification Walk

Conservation Forest at the Madison Recreation and Conservation Complex (MRC) 184 Ridgedale Avenue, Madison, NJ, United States

THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT! Have you ever wanted to learn how to identify trees? October is a marvelous time. Join naturalist Ginger Van Ryzin, GSWA Manager of Stewardship and GIS Specialist,  for a wander in the Conservation Forest of the Madison Recreation and Conservation Complex (MRC). Along the walk, you will learn how to identify native trees by examining autumn leaves, bark, persistent fruit, and overall tree shape. This fun educational opportunity will include general tree ID techniques and characteristics for common native trees in Madison, including a handout so you can practice and hone your new skill. This walk is co-sponsored by Friends of Madison Shade Trees, Madison Shade Tree Management Board, and the Madison Environmental Commission. 

Climate Proof Your Garden

Westfield Public Library 550 E Broad Street, Westfield, NJ, United States

As extreme weather events and warmer temperatures become even more frequent around New Jersey, it’s time to start thinking about ways to fortify your outdoor spaces. Join Hazel England, Ecologist, Director of Education with the Great Swamp Watershed Association, and weather-weary gardener, to learn about ways to “climate proof” your garden or outdoor space. We'll look at the ways our climate conditions are changing and what to do to help your yard keep up.  We’ll discuss the highs and lows of the seasons and their impacts on your yard, including water conservation strategies such as xeriscaping- the practice of designing landscapes to reduce or eliminate the need for irrigation. Xeriscapes need little or no supplemental water beyond what the natural climate provides. We will also discuss the best plant choices to help your garden weather the storms and droughts. Implementing these strategies can also allow more diversity into your yard where your plants will flourish…as well as improve area biodiversity. Registration is required -- register here for this FREE event! Questions? Email Izzy at [email protected]