"Do The Swamp Thing 2002," a month-long celebration of family activities in and around the Great Swamp, heats up with a variety of events planned for this weekend. Great Swamp Watershed Association encourages families to take advantage of the abundance of educational and recreational resources in the area.

This weekend, May 4^th and 5^th is the 22^nd Annual Carving and Wildlife Art Show and Sale at the Somerset County Environmental Education Center in Basking Ridge. Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the art show is free and features more than 50 artists exhibiting their Wildlife art. Realistic woodcarvings and paintings are featured at this exhibit, along with sculpture, photographs, and drawings. According to Catherine Schrein, Manager of the Somerset County Environmental Education Center, "This is one of our biggest events of the year; the quality and variety of the artwork is truly amazing. Since it’s free and open all day, you can either stop by on your way somewhere or make it your destination. Either way we’ll be glad to see you." Call 908-766-2489 for more information.

On Sunday May 5^th, Great Swamp Watershed Association and Blue Ridge Mountain Sports are hosting a hands-on canoe and kayak demonstration on the Passaic River. From 1-5 p.m. you’ll be able to try canoeing and kayaking for yourself. The event will take off from the "Fisherman’s Parking Lot" in the Somerset County Park on Lord Stirling Road, Basking Ridge and is free. Call 973-966-1900 for more information.

Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge naturalists will take you fishing on Saturday, May 4^th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This fishing event at Southard Park, North Maple Ave., Basking Ridge, is open to children up to 15 years old, accompanied by an adult. Demonstrations on fishing techniques and safety will be ongoing and refreshments will be served. Call 973-425-1222 for more information.

For insect lovers…Bill Boesenberg will delight children of all ages with his six-legged friends. He will have live bugs at the Morris County Outdoor Education Center in Chatham on May 5^th, at 2 p.m. For more information, call 973-635-6629.

New to "Do The Swamp Thing" is a "Passport to Win, which is available at event sites throughout the watershed and at the Kings Super Market in Morristown. Anyone interested in the prize drawing is encouraged to get their "passport" stamped at any of the swamp sites throughout the promotion. With a minimum of two stamps, participants would then send their passport to the Watershed Association for the special drawing to be held later in May. First prize is a one-minute shopping spree at Kings, second prize is a Pentax camera donated by Madison Camera Shop, and third prize is a pair of Nikon "naturalist" binoculars, donated by NJ Audubon Society.

Great Swamp Watershed Association was created in 1981 to protect the Great Swamp watershed basin. Celebrating its 20^th Anniversary as a non-profit organization, the Watershed Association relies solely on membership and contributions to protect the continued health of our watershed’s area. If you’re not already a member, become one today. For more information, call (973) 966-1900, or visit their website at www.greatswamp.org.

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