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GSWA Source-to-Sea Virtual Challenge: 80-mile Run/Walk/Bike/Roll

Ready for a virtual challenge? Here we go! Register to run/walk/bike/roll 80 miles, the length of the Passaic River, from anywhere in the world. You will have 65 days to complete this challenge at your own pace. To give you an idea of how it works, doing an activity every day of the challenge equates to ~1.2 miles per day for 65 days - piece of crumb cake! (Which you will have earned with your daily activity.) Registration takes place on a website called "RunSignup" where you can follow your progress on an interactive map. Every time you enter your mileage from your recent activity, the system calculates your total mileage and updates your location so you can see "where you are" virtually on your journey along the Passaic River. Every 10-mile milestone you achieve, you will learn interesting facts about your "current location" and the importance of this wonderful resource, the Passaic River.   (RunSignup is a 3rd party website managing registration on behalf of GSWA.)   This fundraising event is open to anyone using anything powered by you to complete the challenge! Remember, this is not a race, it's a challenge to keep you active and help you […]

Springtime Twilight Hike

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

We have 1 spot left as of 5/3/22. Register ASAP! Revel in the lengthening evenings and enjoy a natural history hike to explore the excitement of spring. We will seek out blooming ephemeral wildflowers and early migrants visiting Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. We will supply binoculars and teach you to use them properly to see those tiny migratory birds flitting around the greening undergrowth. If the event reaches capacity and you would like to be placed on the waitlist, or if you have already registered and need to cancel, please email [email protected]

Get Tickets Free – $40.00 1 ticket left

SOLD OUT: Kayak the Upper Passaic River (10AM-12PM)

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

This event is sold out. To be placed on a waitlist, or if you have registered and can no longer attend, please email [email protected]  Morning Paddle (10 AM - 12 Noon) With generous funding from the Thomas Glasser Foundation, GSWA has purchased kayaks for use in our water quality and educational programming. But hey, let's have a little fun too! Join us on our maiden voyages to learn more about current water quality issues and observe the natural history of the Passaic River in the best way possible - from the river itself. We’ll paddle the Passaic seeking wildlife that uses the stream corridor as habitat and migration route. Children 8 and up are welcome. All participants 15 and under must be accompanied by a parent. There are 9 spots available per session - only 2 spots available per registration. 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. The put-in location is the Fishermens Parking Lot and we will paddle from there. The parking lot is slightly down the road from Lord Stirling Environmental Education Center. Life vests will be provided.

Sold Out $20.00 – $30.00

SOLD OUT: Kayak the Upper Passaic (1-3 PM)

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

This event is sold out. To be placed on a waitlist or if you have registered and can no longer attend, please email [email protected]    Afternoon Paddle (1-3 PM) With generous funding from the Thomas Glasser Foundation, GSWA has purchased kayaks for use in our water quality and educational programming. But hey, let's have a little fun too! Join us on our maiden voyages to learn more about current water quality issues and observe the natural history of the Passaic River in the best way possible - from the river itself. We’ll paddle the Passaic seeking wildlife that uses the stream corridor as habitat and migration route. Children 8 and up are welcome. All participants 15 and under must be accompanied by a parent. There are 9 spots available per session - only 2 spots available per registration. 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. The put-in location is the Fishermens Parking Lot and we will paddle from there. The parking lot is slightly down the road from Lord Stirling Environmental Education Center. Life vests will be provided.

Sold Out $20.00 – $30.00

Great Swamp Great Music Festival

Giralda Farms Preserve Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ, United States

Online ticket sales are now closed. Purchase your tickets at the gate: Giralda Farms, Dodge Drive (off Madison Ave.), Madison, NJ 5th Annual Great Swamp Great Music Festival Sunday, May 22, Giralda Farms, Chatham Twp., NJ 12 - 6:30 PM (rain or shine), Gates open at 11 AM Online ticket sales are now closed. Purchase your tickets at the gate: Dodge Drive (off Madison Ave.), Madison, NJ   Grab your blankets & chairs and c'mon out for 6+ hours of live music at the sprawling, tree-lined field of Giralda Farms in Chatham Twp. New to the festival this year, comedian and New Jersey native, Max Antonucci will emcee the event. The festival also offers food, merch vendors, adult beverages, free water, and more. Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA) is a non-profit organization protecting and improving the Great Swamp watershed & Passaic River region now and for future generations. See you at the festival! LINEUP Pre-show band: Nick Amling & The Lifeline Festival bands: Not Enough Jeffs • Lenox Underground The Refuge Dogs • The Step Brothers Band Stage-change solo act: Nick Amling FOOD VENDORS Avellino's Pizza: classic, gluten-free, and veggie options Summer Daze: cheesesteaks, burgers, hotdogs, fries, fresh squeezed lemonade […]

Free – $30.00

Explore Our Conservation Management Area (CMA)

POSTPONED: Explore Our Conservation Management Area (CMA) Hike

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

This event has been postponed - please stay tuned for the new date!   We have been working hard since the big restoration at our 73-acre forested wetland site, the GSWA Conservation Management Area (CMA). We've created boardwalk trails, and expanded the natural wetland habitat for the all the local aquatic and terrestrial plants & animals. You are invited to enjoy this late spring hike in the beautiful seasonal conditions. Come to see which wildlife are making good use of these newly improved conditions! Wear long pants and long sleeves, and clothes that can get wet, muddy, plus protect yourself from mosquitoes. IMPORTANT: Registration is required and limited so if the event becomes sold out, email [email protected]  to be added to a waitlist. And if you become sick or have a fever, for the safety of everyone DO NOT attend. Email to cancel, so we can invite the next person on the waitlist.

Sold Out Free – $40.00
Full Moon Hike at the Refuge

SOLD OUT…AGAIN: Full Moon Hike at the Refuge

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

This event is sold out again! Email [email protected]  to be added to a waitlist for any last minute cancelations.   Hike and see the June full moon...the "Strawberry Moon". It's really a sweet sign of summer! Join Sarah Hunt, GSWA Land Steward & Water Quality Associate, on a hike to discover some of the gentle nighttime creatures. June is great time to enjoy a moonlit hike at the Refuge. The canopy and bright moonlight provide the perfect backdrop to hear and spot owls. Our full moon hikes are a real hoot, so don't miss out on this unique, family-friendly opportunity! This hike is free, but your support helps further the GSWA mission of education, land stewardship, and advocacy. Suggested donation: $10 for adults, $5 for children. Meeting Place: GSNWR Bluebird Parking Lot on Pleasant Plains Road, approx. 0.5 miles north of the refuge's south gate, and 1.6 miles south of the Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center - New Vernon, NJ 07976 IMPORTANT: Registration is required and limited so if the event becomes sold out, email [email protected]  to be added to a waitlist. And if you become sick or have a fever, for the safety of everyone DO NOT attend. Email to cancel, so we […]

Sold Out Free – $40.00
Summer Solstice Celebration Hike

SOLD OUT Summer Solstice Celebration Hike

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

Email [email protected]  to be added to a waitlist. Although the rescheduled hike is not on the solstice date, you will learn all about the solstice and welcome in the summer season with poems and stories! Join us for a hike through the historic and beautiful trails of Jockey Hollow. As the moon slowly rises, we will look and listen for owls and other nightlife creatures as fireflies take to the sky. Later we will relax by a roaring bonfire and hear stories that 18th century colonists told around their own campfires and learn about their views on the darkness. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity with highly experienced and knowledgeable GSWA naturalists, Hazel England and Ginger Van Ryzin...along with National Park Ranger and local historian, Eric Olsen. Space is limited and it will fill up fast! This hike is free to all GSWA members; a $10 donation is appreciated from non-member adults, $5 for children. Registration is required. IMPORTANT: Registration is required and limited so if the event becomes sold out, email [email protected]  to be added to a waitlist. And if you become sick or have a fever, for the safety of everyone DO NOT attend. Email to cancel, so we can […]

Sold Out Free – $40.00

City of Water Day Challenge Website

City of Water Day Bingo Challenge: Free

The Challenge Event may have ended but we encourage you to download the eco-bingo card and use it to help you explore your local watershed. On July 16, City of Water (COW) Day is all about connecting communities with the water. The Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA)* is observing 2022 COW Day by issuing an eco-BINGO challenge to our members and followers so we can celebrate together. We want to connect as many folks as possible with their local water bodies and watersheds. Everyone lives in a watershed. What we do and where we live impacts the water, even if it is far away! This year's theme is 'In Your Neighborhood'. So today, we challenge you all to head out into your neighborhood, connect with the environment, and see how you can make a difference! This FREE challenge runs now through July 23.  How to Play: Download the eco-bingo card and spend some time exploring your local watershed. (Some challenges can be completed on your computer or smartphone.) Have fun carrying out the challenges between July 8, 2022 - July 23, 2022 (cross out corresponding squares) until you complete a row horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. How to Submit: Snap a […]

Paterson Falls Explorer Hike and Tour

Paterson Falls Explorer Hike and Tour

Paterson Great Falls National Park 72 McBride Ave,, Paterson, NJ, United States

Explore Paterson from the other end of the Passaic. Join us for an afternoon of nature and natural history. Staff from the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park will guide us on an informative hike through the area where will check out the new viewing platform to explore the 77-foot high waterfall. From there we’ll hike along the old raceway, and we'll even squeeze in a museum visit. It's a great opportunity to gain insight into the importance of Paterson, the first planned industrial city that was centered around the Great Falls, and how it changed the face of our country. We will meet at the Great Falls and go from there. Dress for the weather, hiking boots recommended for potentially muddy conditions.

Free – $40.00