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New Year’s Resolution Hike

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

With the hectic holiday festivities behind us let’s indulge in something a little different – nature! Kick off your new year with an energizing hike at our Conservation Management Area (CMA). It's a great way to burn off some of those holiday calories while treating yourself to the sights and sounds of the woodland creatures who call the CMA their home. Dress for the weather including your waterproof boots. Although we have built many boardwalks along the trails, there may be some snow and slush. Registration is required. This event is free to all GSWA members

Get Tickets Free – $40.00

SOLD OUT: Moonlight Hike at the Refuge WOC

Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge - Wildlife Observation Center https://goo.gl/maps/tLD3KapcRC21245c8, Harding Twp., NJ, United States

We're sorry, this hike is full. But while you're here check out our other upcoming hikes and programs! What is it about a winter night hike that's so peaceful? Maybe it's the muffled sound of boots crunching on the snow. Perhaps it's the curious owls asking "whoooooo's" there? There are only right answers. This is your opportunity to visit the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge's Wildlife Observation Center and find out for yourself. The full moon will illuminate the night's sky revealing more of the habitat and critters of the Refuge. And if you haven't experienced a night hike with GSWA's Hazel England, it's time to fix that! Dress for the weather and be sure to wear your waterproof boots.

Sold Out Free – $40.00

Cross Estate Gardens & Historical Hike

Cross Estate Gardens 61 Jockey Hollow Rd, Bernardsville, NJ, United States

SOLD OUT If you need to cancel or have questions over the weekend please call your tour guide, Adam Palmer, on his cell @ 908-399-5610. The gardens may be sleeping for the winter, but the diurnal (active during the daytime) wildlife will be very much awake as we check out the garden areas and buildings of the early-20th century Cross Estate Gardens. We will also venture through the site of George Washington and the Continental Army's encampment in the winter of 1779-80 during the American Revolutionary War. Located within the Morristown National Historical Park, this area is steeped in American history, and it remains a beautifully unspoiled place to get away and reconnect with nature. If there's snow we will look for fresh tracks to follow. Lots of winter birds like woodpeckers, juncos, and flickers will be flitting about so be sure to bring your binoculars. We will bring a few extras as backup. Dress for the weather and wear your well-tractioned, waterproof boots. This event is free to all GSWA members, a $10 donation is appreciated from non-member adults, $5 for children. Registration is required.  

Sold Out Free – $40.00

Dog Hike at the CMA

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

Calling all pooches! Grab your family and a leash, and c’mon out to the CMA for a much-needed, mid-winter hike. We know you’re ready to get some fresh air and sniff new smells. This is your day! We only ask that you play nice with other dogs, remain on your leash for the full hike, and ask your humans to bring you some water and pet waste bags. There is a limit of 15 pups (but no limit on the number of humans) so shake a leg and register today! This event is free for GSWA members, non-members: suggested donation of $10 for adults and $5 for children.

Sold Out Free – $40.00

Kids Winter Nature Detectives Hike

Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge - Bluebird Parking Lot Bluebird Parking Lot, Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, NJ, United States

This event is SOLD OUT - please do not call with requests to be added to the guest list at this time. Federal refuge guidelines limit the number of people who access the "closed-off" portion of the refuge. We cannot accommodate anymore hikers. Please sign up for a future hike!  Are your kids ready for a fun and educational outdoor activity? Gather up your family and head outside for an adventure through the snowy forest. Together, we will set off in hot pursuit of the region’s most-wanted wintertime wildlife on this nature detective discovery hike at Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. Learn how to identify animals from their tracks, scats and other leave-behind clues. Spy on secret hideouts used by birds, wintering insects, and other woodland creatures. Unmask the dining preferences of deer, raccoons, and even coyotes by putting the magnifying glass to some scat. All this detective work is easier than you think, plus its fun being outdoors in the winter! We will also talk about their winter-time activities and how the Refuge critters survive the coldest months of the year in anticipation of the spring thaw. Fun for all ages but especially for children ages 5 to 10. […]

Sold Out Free – $40.00

Nature Stroll at Hedden County Park

Hedden County Park Use Hawthorne Ave Parking off of Reservoir Ave., Randolph, NJ, United States

Sunday Hike Series: Looking for an invigorating late Winter activity? Join us for a scenic hike through Hedden Park, a beautiful piece of the Morris County Park Commission. Partially paved recreation trails traverse the Wallace Brook and cross Jackson Brook on this scenic hike. We will check out Indian Falls, a serene feature along the Green Trail, and take in the natural beauty of the park. This family-friendly hike is good for teens and older. Wear sturdy hiking boots and dress appropriately for the weather; layers, hat, and gloves highly recommended! Registration is required. Google Map Link

Sold Out Free – $40.00

Become a FrogWatcher

Great Swamp Watershed Association HQ 568 Tempe Wick Rd, Morristown, NJ, United States

Like frogs? Hop on over to GSWA for a hands-on "citizen science" training session to become an official FrogWatch volunteer. Eric Jackson, Environmental Educator at Hartshorn Arboretum, will teach you how to distinguish between a spring peeper and a wood frog and how to identify many other local frogs and toads. Come out and learn about our amphibian friends and if you're so inspired, Eric will train you how to properly log and report your sightings in a nationwide database. Your observations are important! The information you collect helps establish long-term and large-scale data on amphibian populations. It's fun for the whole family, and this training session is free! Registration is required.

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Sunday Series Hike – Rifle Camp Park at Garrett Mountain

Rifle Camp Park 387 Rifle Camp Rd., Woodland Park, NJ, United States

Join us on a journey through the "yellow trail" of the scenic and historic Rifle Camp Park which sits on the ridgeline of Garret Mountain in Passaic County. Situated 500 feet above sea level, this area offers several overlooks with panoramic views of northern New Jersey and New York City that you can't see from anywhere else in Passaic County. You'll also catch a glimpse of American history - this spot served as a perfect location for George Washington’s troops to observe British movements during the Revolutionary War in 1780. Rifle Camp Park got its name from the fact that Major James Parr’s rifle corps camped in the area that eventually become the park. Bring your camera and wear your hiking boots. Directions: In your GPS, search for Rifle Camp Park and follow those directions. We will meet at the second parking lot on Rifle Camp Rd. If you have problems with directions the day of, call Adam at 908-399-5610.

Get Tickets Free – $40.00

POSTPONED: Vernal Pool After-Dark Exploration Hike

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

With temperatures rising, the forest floor will be hopping with new life as frogs and other amphibians crowd into shallow basins of water to breed and lay their eggs. These areas are better known as vernal pools. They are an important type of wetlands in need of protection in New Jersey. This annual nighttime 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. Learn how to tell the difference between salamander and frog eggs. And learn how all that we appreciate about springtime depends upon a few unassuming puddles of water on the forest floor.   Warm clothing and waterproof hiking boots are strongly recommended, and don’t forget your flashlight. Registration is required.

Sold Out Free – $40.00

POSTPONED: Spring has Sprung Hike at the CMA

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

Nature is blooming all around and the critters of our Conservation Management Area are fully awake after a long winter's nap. So, gather up your family and hop on over to check out all the activity at this pre-Easter hike. While the birds are busy making their nests, wood frog tadpoles can be seen swimming about, spring peepers and forest frogs will be calling from the cattail marsh pond, and the woodpeckers will resume drumming at the trees that are starting to bloom. Come reconnect with nature and our woodland friends at this relaxing morning hike.

Sold Out Free – $40.00