Volunteer Opportunity: Stewardship Friday August 15

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

Ready to get a little dirty and sweaty in the swamp? Need community service hours? College students—are you looking for something meaningful to add to your resume? Join us on Friday at the GSWA Conservation Management Area (CMA) in Harding Township to help us steward the land. We could really use your help getting our CMA tidied up by helping us with the following tasks: Chipping and mulching our trail networks Removing invasive plants Building new boardwalks which allow hikers to get through flooded areas Clearing branches and limbs from recent storms Be sure to wear long pants, long sleeves, and hiking boots or sturdy old shoes you don’t mind getting muddy. Bring a hat and a reusable water bottle. We will provide bug spray, sunscreen, gloves, snacks, and all the tools you need. Summer 2025 Stewardship Friday schedule: July 11 July 25 August 1 August 8 August 15 August 22

Nature Detectives Hike

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

What's hiding on the forest floor? What's going on in the trees? Let's do some detective work and make some discoveries together! The Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is the perfect place to learn how to identify animals from their tracks, scats (yes, poop) and other clues. Spy on secret hideouts used by birds, insects, and other woodland creatures. Discover the dining preferences of deer, raccoons, and even coyotes by putting a magnifying glass to some scat. All this detective work is easier than you think. And let’s face it, it’s fun being outdoors in the summer! Recommended for all, but especially children 5 to 12 years old accompanied by an adult. We will meet at the head of the Orange Trail at the end of Meyersville Rd., Green Village. The lot is small, so please consider carpooling and be mindful when parking. This event is free for our GSWA members. For non-members, a suggested $10 donation for adults and $5 for children 6-17 is appreciated.

Get Tickets Free – $10.00

Dark Skies Event – Protect Our Night Sky

Madison Community Arts Center 10 Kings Rd., Madison, NJ, United States

Ever look up at night and wish you could truly see the Milky Way? Light pollution is stealing our stars — disrupting ecosystems and having adverse health effects on both wildlife and humans. Join Morris Township and Madison Borough for a Dark Skies Event to discover how small changes in outdoor lighting can protect our environment, save energy, and restore the beauty of the night sky. The evening will begin with a kickoff from Jeff Grayzel, Deputy Mayor of Morris Township (and GSWA Advisory Council member), and Eric P. Range, Madison Borough Council. They’ll be followed by a presentation from Steve Mariconda, a DarkSky International Delegate, who will share how communities everywhere are reclaiming their view of the stars. This event is open to everyone, but we especially encourage fellow local municipal council, board, and environmental commission members to explore how Dark Sky Ordinances can safeguard our health and bring back our view of the stars for generations to come. Dark Skies Event is on: Monday, Aug. 18 7:00 PM Madison Community Arts Center Let’s work together to keep the stars shining. RSVP here: Dark Skies Event Registration

Volunteer Opportunity: Stewardship Friday August 22

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

Ready to get a little dirty and sweaty in the swamp? Need community service hours? College students—are you looking for something meaningful to add to your resume? Join us on Friday at the GSWA Conservation Management Area (CMA) in Harding Township to help us steward the land. We could really use your help getting our CMA tidied up by helping us with the following tasks: Chipping and mulching our trail networks Removing invasive plants Building new boardwalks which allow hikers to get through flooded areas Clearing branches and limbs from recent storms Be sure to wear long pants, long sleeves, and hiking boots or sturdy old shoes you don’t mind getting muddy. Bring a hat and a reusable water bottle. We will provide bug spray, sunscreen, gloves, snacks, and all the tools you need. Summer 2025 Stewardship Friday schedule: July 11 July 25 August 1 August 8 August 15 August 22

Paddle the Passaic

Canoe Launch, Livingston 2, 12 S Orange Ave, Livingston, New Jersey

Come out and enjoy the sights along the beautiful banks of the Passaic River. This area is full of wildlife, native vegetation, and beautiful views. Children 8 and up are welcome. All participants 15 and under must be accompanied by a parent. There are only 7 spots available – 2 spots/registration max. 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, 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 GSWA kayaks, used in our water quality and educational programming, were purchased with the generous funding provided by the Thomas Glasser Foundation. The put-in location is the Livingston Canoe Launch, and we will paddle from there. Please email Izzy ifilippini@greatswamp.org with questions or cancellations. CANCELLATION POLICY: Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA) makes every effort to assure all programs and events go off […]

Sold Out $30.00 – $40.00

Apshawa Fall Kick-off Hike

Apshawa Preserve 15 Northwood Drive, West Milford, NJ, United States

Explore one of the many New Jersey Conservation Foundation preserves found throughout New Jersey. On our hike, we hike to Butler Reservoir, walk along Apshawa Brook, and look for wildlife. This will be a moderate to difficult hike, roughly 3.5 miles with 600 ft of elevation change. Come out to check out fall wildflowers, scenic overlooks and the butler reservoir! Waterproof footwear, especially hiking boots, are strongly recommended. Please email Izzy ifilippini@greatswamp.org with questions or cancellations. 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 via email and the event page will reflect the status. To accommodate people on the waitlist, participants needing to cancel should do so ASAP. Cancellations made less than 48 hours in advance will not be refunded unless it is due to a health emergency. Unused registration fees may be converted into a tax-deductible donation.

Get Tickets $10.00 – $40.00

2025 Gala & Silent Auction

Brooklake Country Club 139 Brooklake Road, Florham Park, NJ

Great Swamp Watershed Association's 2025 Green Carpet Gala You're invited to a night of glitz, glamour, and giving back! Mark your calendars for Great Swamp Watershed Association's 2025 Green Carpet Gala. Our annual Gala Celebration and Silent Auction takes place on Thursday, October 23, 2025 at the Brooklake Country Club in Florham Park, NJ. It is sure to be an exciting evening to honor some of our watershed's biggest stars. Get ready to walk the green carpet and shine a spotlight on a healthier future for our watershed! Details Thursday, October 23, 2025 Brooklake Country Club | 139 Brooklake Rd, Florham Park, NJ 5:00-6:00 PM VIP Cocktail Reception 6:00-7:00 PM General Cocktail Reception & Silent Auction 7:00-9:30 PM Dinner and Awards Ceremony Scroll to the bottom of this page to purchase tickets. Great Swamp Watershed Association is excited to honor Julia Somers, a lifelong advocate for the environment and GSWA's first-ever executive director. Julia has been the executive director of the New Jersey Highlands Coalition since the launch of the organization in 2006. Julia is also a Board member of the Pinchot Institute of Conservation, the New Jersey Environmental Lobby, and United Parks as One of Newark. She was a founding […]

Get Tickets $125.00 – $2,500.00