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Fall Colors Sunset Paddle

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

Fall Colors Paddle: 4:00 - 5:30 pm   Come out and enjoy the beautiful fall foliage as the sun sets along the banks of the Passaic River as we paddle the headwaters region of the Great Swamp. This area is full of wildlife, native vegetion and beautiful views. All participants 15 and under must be accompanied by a parent. There are 7 spots available per session – only 2 spots 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. 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 then 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 meet up location is the Somerset County Park Commission Fisherman's Parking Lot.

$30.00 – $40.00

Hidden Colors UV Hike – SOLD OUT

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

  Important information: Location has changed to Harding Land Trust's Primrose Farm. See below for location address.   Explore the hidden colors of fungus, plants, and insects as we explore the Conservation Management Area with new eyes. UV lights allow us to see colorful, fluorescent organisms that the human eye cannot normally detect. GSWA will provide the UV lights for this short hike over our boardwalked vernal pools. Guests of all ages are encouraged to join!

$8.00 – $15.00

SOLD OUT – Harvest Full Moon Paddle

Essex County Environmental Center 621 Eagle Rock Ave, Roseland, NJ

Harvest Paddle: 6:00 - 8:00 pm Delight in an evening paddle on the Passaic River to celebrate the beginning of Autumn as the sun sets. Children 8 and up are welcome. All participants 15 and under must be accompanied by a parent. There are 7 spots available per session – only 2 spots 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. 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 then 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 meet up location is Essex County Environmental Center. The GSWA kayaks, used in our water quality and educational programming, were purchased with the generous funding provided by the Thomas Glasser Foundation.

$30.00 – $40.00

SOLD OUT- Halloween Full Moon Hike

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

When the Hunter’s full moon (named because it was the ideal time for hunting in the olden days) and Halloween collide, what’s better than a nighttime hike around the darkness of the swamp? Since trick or treating isn't just for kids, we encourage you to dress up, if you dare, and come with some candy you’d like to share with your fellow hikers as we traverse the trails of the CMA. From ethereal haunting calls to howling - and that's just the owls and coyotes - who knows what we will encounter? This is an easy, 2–3-mile hike across boardwalks and flat trails.

$5.00 – $15.00

SOLD OUT- Fall Colors Afternoon Paddle

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

Email mhertgen@GreatSwamp.org to get on the waitlist or if you need to cancel. If you cannot attend, please be sure to cancel so we can invite the next person on the wait list.   Fall Colors Paddle: 2:00 - 3:30 pm   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 vegetion and beautiful views. All participants 15 and under must be accompanied by a parent. There are 7 spots available per session – only 2 spots 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. 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 then 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 meet up location is the Somerset County Park […]

$30.00 – $40.00

SOLD OUT- Fall Colors Evening Paddle

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

Email mhertgen@GreatSwamp.org to get on the waitlist or if you need to cancel. If you cannot attend, please be sure to cancel so we can invite the next person on the wait list.   Fall Colors Paddle: 4:00 - 5:30 pm   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 vegetion and beautiful views. All participants 15 and under must be accompanied by a parent. There are 7 spots available per session – only 2 spots 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. 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 then 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 meet up location is the Somerset County Park Commission […]

$30.00 – $40.00

A Winter Wander Hike

South Mountain Reservation W South Orange Ave, West Orange, NJ, United States

Step outside on a crisp, December morning and enjoy some fresh air on this winter wander through South Mountain Reservation. As we hike, you will learn about how the Lenape braved the cold winters as well as some geologic history. Along the way, we will see a waterfall (or two) and depending on the temperatures, they may or may not be frozen! Be sure to wear appropriate footwear and dress for the weather.

Free – $40.00

POSTPONED: Members Only Winter Solstice Night Hike

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

We will unfortunately have to postpone the Members Only Winter Solstice Hike due to heavy rain and flooding concerns. Please check back in the new year for the rescheduled date. Thank you for your understanding, and if you have any questions please email MHertgen@GreatSwamp.org Thank you for being a GSWA member! We invite you to bundle-up and come celebrate the first day of winter (winter solstice) with a crisp, invigorating hike at the Refuge. Winter solstice is the day with the fewest hours of sunlight in the whole year, making it the shortest day of the year. It’s a great time of year to look and listen for owls and other nightlife. This is one of our most popular hikes with three highly experienced and knowledgeable GSWA naturalists. Be sure to dress for the weather and wear your warm socks for this hike. This is a free hike available to GSWA members only!

Free

CANCELED: Tracks & Scat Detective Hike

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

PLEASE NOTE This hike has been canceled due to the predicted snow/rain storm over the weekend. Thank you for your understanding.   Ever wondered how to sleuth what animals are visiting an area - even when you are not rewarded with a sighting of the creature itself? As we enjoy a leisurely paced hike in the refuge, learn more about the scat (poop), tracks, and other markers our native wildlife leave to clue us into their presence. We will provide binoculars and poking sticks to help us get up close to these fascinating clues that enable you to become great wildlife detectives. Conditions can be wet or muddy. Wear appropriate footwear and dress warmly.

Free – $40.00

Please see important notice below: Wolf Moon Hike

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

Important Notice: We are monitoring the weather for this hike. While Primrose Farm is higher ground than our board-walked swamp, it can still get muddy in rain. Be sure to wear appropriate boots and rain gear! If the temperatures drop and the rain turns icy, we may adjust our plans accordingly for driving conditions. January night hikes can be tough, but we hope to conduct the hike unless we feel it is unsafe. We will make the final decision by noon, January 24 and will email everyone and update this site. Thank you for your patience!   Join us for a leisurely stroll through the Primrose Farm meadow as the full moon lights the winter sky. The January full moon, known as the "wolf moon" is named after wolves who tend to howl more often during the winter season. The moon will guide us through this relaxing winter hike, and if there happens to be snow on the ground, we can look for tracks and other signs of the critters who call Primrose Farm home. Dress for the weather and be sure to wear appropriate footwear.

$5.00 – $15.00