Outdoor Events

Tired of being trapped indoors? Are your kids in need of an activity to burn off pent-up energy? Gather up your family and head outside to breathe in some crisp fresh air! GSWA Education Associate, Dan Ross, is leading a family-friendly adventure through the snowy forest where you, our nature detectives, will seek out signs of animal behaviors, and the telltale traces they leave behind. Everyone will be on the lookout for animal tracks, working together to identify the various critters, and discover where the tracks may lead. We will also talk about their winter-time activities, and some of the ways they endure throughout the coldest months of the year, in anticipation of the spring thaw. Fun for all ages. Please remember to dress for the weather. Waterproof boots are strongly encouraged. Bring a snack and water if you like.   Registration is required. Register online or call 973-538-3500. We will meet at the cul-de-sac at the end of Tiger Lily Lane at the GSWA Conservation Management Area.

Come hike the trails of the Wildlife Observation Center under a new moon, when the stars are at their brightest! A new moon is the first lunar phase, which means the it will not be visible at all. But don't worry, just because it's dark out doesn't mean the inhabitants of the woods have gone to sleep. During this guided hike, we will take advantage of the quiet, crisp February air by listening for the nighttime creatures of Harding Township, like owls, as they become more active for the mating season. Dress for the weather - waterproof boots are recommended. Registration is required.   Directions to Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge - Wildlife Observation Center (WOC) Parking Area:  Heading North on Long Hill Road, Harding, WOC entrance is 1.8 miles on the left. From Lee's Hill Road, turn South onto Long Hill Road, continue 2 miles, WOC is on the right.

It’s St. Patrick’s Day and Spring is just 3 days away! Put some hiking shoes on your feet, gather up your family, and join us on our “Downstream Adventures” hiking series at the Watchung Reservation. There’s lots to see and explore as we hike alongside the Blue Brook. We will take in the scenic gorges and the remnants of the deserted village of Feltville. This hike wouldn't be complete without taking a moment to marvel at the beauty of Lake Surprise. Registration required.

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—better known as vernal pools—provide a perfect opportunity to learn more about Mother Nature here in New Jersey. But we have to hurry! They disappear quickly. GSWA’s 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 on a few unassuming puddles of water on the forest floor. Registration is required.

What makes a weed a weed? How can you tell your oriental bittersweet from your Japanese barberry and why should you care that you can? Invasive plants are spreading in our forests and open spaces, and harm the environment as they reduce biodiversity and resources for native wildlife. New Jersey spends millions in labor and resources to remove invasives each year. Join us on a hike through the CMA as we learn to identify New Jersey’s top ten least wanted, as well as the native species we hope to see! By the end of our hike, you will be able to identify all of the bad guys- and hopefully understand why honeysuckle isn’t so sweet and how multiflora rose can be such a thorn in the side… literally!

Join your fellow fungus enthusiast and GSWA Education Coordinator, Adam Palmer, on a foray into the mysterious world of mushrooms, slimes and molds. Enjoy a hike around GSWA’s Conservation Management Area as we look for and talk about the important roles of decomposers, symbiotic relationships, and even parasites in an ecosystem. Register today as there won’t be mush-room left on this hike!

CANCELLED:  Unfortunately, due to the recent rains - our location has become too soggy to accommodate our guests for the breakfast and hike! Sorry folks, but please do check out our informative talks scheduled for later in September and October at Greatswamp.org/event/