Celebrate Spring in The Swamp

"Do The Swamp Thing 2003," 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.

On Saturday, May 17:

• From 8 a.m.-noon try a beginning birding field trip. Trips start at the Scherman-Hoffman Sanctuary and migrate to Great Swamp and environs. Good loaner binoculars are available. Call NJ Audubon Society, 908-766-5787. 

• At 6:45 p.m. join a spring frog walk at the Friends Bookstore. Frogs and toads should be calling. Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge 973-425-1222.

• From 7-9 p.m. pull the plug on your bug zapper and learn some bat biology. Bats are the only true flying mammals; they are often misunderstood and feared rather than appreciated for their prowess. Somerset County Environmental Education Center 908-766-2489.

• Be a campfollower and learn about the "unknown" part of Washington's army during a visit to the soldier huts in Jockey Hollow. Discover the role of women and children during the American Revolution. 1:30-3:30 p.m. 973-539-2016.

On May 17-18 take an overnight trip to enjoy the unspoiled landscape of an earlier New Jersey, touring wild and scenic Delaware Bay. Somerset County Environmental Education Center 908-766-2489. 

On Sunday, from 8-10 a.m., join Neil Collins and other naturalists on a birding and natural history walk through Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. NJ Audubon Society 908-766-5787.

Also on Sunday, under the direction of Dr. Alan Cooper, participants in this Archaeological Field School will learn about archaeological techniques and participate in an actual "dig" at a site estimated to be more than 6,000years old. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Somerset County Environmental Education Center 908-766-2489. 

On Thursday, May 22, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. help overhaul the gardens around the Somerset County Environmental Education Center to make them easier to care for in the future. New garden areas highlighting native and wildlife attractant species will be taking shape over the next few years and this is your opportunity to be part of the process. 908-766-2489. 

Great Swamp Watershed Association was created in 1981 to protect the Great Swamp watershed basin. Celebrating its 20th 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 and a listing of other events, visit the Watershed Association website at www.greatswamp.org.

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