Do The Swamp Thing

"Do The Swamp Thing 2003," a month-long celebration of family activities in and around the Great Swamp, wraps up with a variety of events planned for the rest of this month. Great Swamp Watershed Association encourages families to take advantage of the abundance of educational and recreational resources in the area.

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. 

Sunday, May 25, under the direction of Dr. Alan Cooper, participants in an 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.

Commemorate Memorial Day, May 26, by remembering the soldiers who died during the winter encampments at Morristown. Disease, battle and murder were just some of the causes of death of Washington's soldiers. Learn about the many causes of death and how they were buried. The program will include a short hike to Bettin Monument where a musket salute will be fired, weather permitting. 1 & 3 p.m. Jockey Hollow Visitors Center. 973-539-4030.

On Saturday, May 31, join the Great Swamp Watershed Association in exploring Great Swamp and seeing it up close. Led by naturalist Dave Womer at Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. 9-11 a.m. 973-966-1900.

Also on the 31, become 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.


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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