• Fall Migration Hike

    Garret Mountain Reservation Lambert Castle Parking Lot, 3 Valley Rd., Paterson, NJ, United States

    We have a few open spots, so this hike is now open to non-members as well! Come out to enjoy the tail-end of bird migration (pun-intended!). On our hike we cover roughly 3 miles of trails with some elevation change. On our way, we may catch some late fall migrants including sharp-shinned hawks, northern harriers, black and turkey vultures, and if we are lucky, maybe even a golden eagle! Please email Izzy ([email protected]) with questions or cancellations. Ticket sales end on 10/31/2025 at 3:00 PM. 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.

    Free – $40.00
  • Veteran’s Day Paddle (AM)

    Somerset County Park Commission, Fisherman's Parking Lot Approx. 170 Lord Stirling Road, Basking Ridge, NJ

    Come out and enjoy the beautiful fall foliage along the banks of the Passaic River as we paddle the headwaters region of the Great Swamp. 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 [email protected] with questions or cancellations. CANCELLATION POLICY: Great Swamp Watershed Association […]

    $30.00 – $40.00
  • Sold Out: Veteran’s Day Paddle (PM)

    Somerset County Park Commission, Fisherman's Parking Lot Approx. 170 Lord Stirling Road, Basking Ridge, NJ

    This event is sold out. Please email Izzy at ifilippini@greatswamp to be added to the waitlist. If you have registered and must cancel, please email Izzy so we may contact the next person on the waitlist.    Come out and enjoy the beautiful fall foliage along the banks of the Passaic River as we paddle the headwaters region of the Great Swamp. 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 […]

    $30.00 – $40.00
  • Pre-Thanksgiving Day CMA Cleanup

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

    This is a great opportunity to preemptively give back before Thanksgiving! We could use your help putting our 73-acre wetlands reserve to bed for the winter. At the Conservation Management Area (CMA) there's no shortage of things to accomplish on our honey-do list. We need to mulch and edge our trails, haul out old boardwalk lumber, clean up our seating areas, and more. A crisp, autumn morning is a fabulous time to get outside and get your hands dirty. We will provide you with all the tools you need to participate for as long as you like!

    Free
  • POSTPONED: Winter Hike at Jockey Hollow

    Jockey Hollow Visitor Center 600 Tempe Wick Rd, Morristown, NJ

    THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED. PLEASE STAY TUNED FOR THE NEW DATE.   Join us for a fun and informative nature hike through Jockey Hollow before the holiday rush begins! This family-friendly adventure will take you through a potentially snowy forest where we'll look for animal tracks and discover where they lead. We'll learn about how local wildlife survives the winter, their activities, and how they prepare for the spring thaw. This is a great opportunity for budding nature enthusiasts of all ages to meet others and learn some cool facts about the environment. Be sure to dress for the weather and wear waterproof boots. You might also want to bring a snack and water. Get tickets below: GSWA Member (Adult) $10 | Non-member (Adult) $15 | Child $5 Eco Pro Tip: Grab a discounted GSWA Family Membership for just $40 and unlock member rates for this program and the next 12 months. It’s an easy way to support GSWA's mission and enjoy all the member benefits. Please email Izzy ([email protected]) with questions or cancellations. Ticketing closes on December 12th at 3:00 PM. CANCELLATION POLICY: Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA) makes every effort to assure all programs and events go […]

    $5.00 – $40.00
  • CANCELLED: Nature Detectives Hike

    Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge - Orange Trailhead approx 77 Meyersville Rd., Green Village (Harding Township), NJ, United States

    The warm weather combined with the snowmelt has made our trails messy, therefore, we've made the decision to cancel this hike.   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.

    Free – $10.00
  • SOLD OUT: Winter Tree ID Hike

    Primrose Farm (Enter from Barrett Field) Barrett Field, 1413-000460000-000020001-00000, Morristown, NJ

    This event is sold out. Please email [email protected] to be added to the wait list. Tree species can be tricky to identify, especially in the winter. Join GSWA's own naturalist Ginger Van Ryzin as she shows the tips and tricks to winter tree identification and enjoy a leisurely stroll through the restored wildflower meadow of Harding Land Trust's Primrose Farm. Warm clothing and waterproof footwear, especially hiking boots, are strongly recommended. Directions: Primrose Farm (see below for google map - click the + to zoom in and see details) Please email Izzy ([email protected]) with questions or cancellations. Ticket sales end on 2/6/2026 at 3:00 PM. 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.

    $5.00 – $40.00
  • NEW DATE: SOLD OUT: Worm Moon Hike at the Refuge

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

    DATE CHANGE: Due to expected rain, this hike has been rescheduled to 7:00pm on Tuesday, March 10. LOCATION CHANGE: This hike has moved to the White Oak Trail at the Helen Fenske Visitors Center in Basking Ridge. This event is sold out. Please email [email protected] to be added to the wait list. Join GSWA in nature for a hike under the last full moon of the winter! The worm moon signals the end of winter; as the ground begins to slowly thaw, the worms and larvae begin to emerge. Come out and explore the forest with GSWA's Ginger Van Ryzin as spring begins to approach. Be sure to wear appropriate footwear, dress for the weather, and bring a reusable water bottle and snacks if you so choose. Registration is required. IMPORTANT -- WAIVER: Per our special use permit, the refuge is asking for the hike participants to fill out a liability form before attending. Please complete and email this form to [email protected] when you register for this hike.  Please email Izzy ([email protected]) with questions or cancellations. Ticket sales end on 3/2/2026 at 3:00 PM. CANCELLATION POLICY: Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA) makes every effort to assure all programs and events […]

    Free – $40.00
  • Volunteer: CMA Community Spring Cleanup

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

    The swamp is calling! Need community service hours? College students—are you looking for something meaningful to add to your resume? Kick off Spring at our Conservation Management Area (CMA) in Harding Township. We could really use your help getting our 73-acre open space tidied up for the critters who call the CMA their home and for our human visitors who hike and recreate there! Bring your elbow grease and enthusiasm for this spirited day of working together for the love of our shared open spaces.    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 water, bug spray, sunscreen, gloves, snacks, and all the tools you need. What better way to spend a Saturday morning? We look forward to seeing you there! Registration is required.

    Free
  • SOLD OUT: Vernal Pool Exploration Hike

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

    THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT. TO BE ADDED TO THE WAITLIST, PLEASE EMAIL [email protected]   With temperatures rising, the forest floor will be hopping with new life as frogs and other amphibians crowd into shallow puddles of water to breed and lay their eggs. These puddles, called vernal pools, provide a perfect opportunity to learn more about Mother Nature here in New Jersey. But we have to hurry - they disappear quickly! This annual Vernal Pool Exploration provides a fun, outdoor learning experience for kids and adults alike. Discover the differences between a spring peeper, a chorus frog, and a wood frog. Find out how far an endangered spotted salamander will walk to find a mating pool. And, learn how much everything we have come to appreciate about the springtime depends upon a few unassuming puddles of water on the forest floor. Warm clothing and waterproof footwear, especially hiking boots, are strongly recommended. Please email Izzy [email protected] 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 […]

    $10.00 – $40.00