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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

Winter Flower ID

Tourne County Park 83 Old Denville Rd, Boonton, New Jersey

Native plants can be tricky to ID even throughout the growing season, so identifying plants in the dead of winter seems next to impossible. But it is not! Come join our very own Ginger Van Ryzin to learn some of the tip and tricks to winter flower identification. Dress for the weather and be sure to wear appropriate footwear.

$5.00 – $15.00

SOLD OUT- Snow Moon Hike

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

SORRY, THIS HIKE IS SOLD OUT Please email MHertgen@GreatSwamp.org if you need to cancel, or to be placed on a waitlist   There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes. So no more excuses! It's time to bundle up, get back outside, and feel the rejuvenating power of nature on this relaxing night hike. The February full moon is known as the "Snow Moon" because lots of snow is generally found on the ground in most Northern Hemisphere countries during this time. Come experience it for yourself. Be sure to wear appropriate footwear, dress for the weather, and bring a reusable water bottle and snacks if you so choose.

$10.00 – $15.00

Signs of Spring Hike

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

Spring is just around the corner, and all the plants and animals around us are preparing for the upcoming season. Come learn about how our flora and fauna survive the winter season, and what cues let them know that spring is coming. You will also get to learn some history of the area! Weather conditions in early March can be extremely variable, so please make sure to dress appropriately. The hike will be just over 3 miles long with 400 feet of elevation change.

$10.00 – $20.00

SOLD OUT: Vernal Pool Hike

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

SORRY, THIS HIKE IS SOLD OUT Please email MHertgen@GreatSwamp.org if you need to cancel, or to be placed on a waitlist 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.

$5.00 – $40.00

FULL- Volunteer for Community Workday

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

THIS COMMUNITY WORKDAY HAS BEEN FILLED Please email MHertgen@GreatSwamp.org if you can no longer make it, or to be placed on a waitlist Ready to get a little dirty and sweaty in the swamp? Need community service hours? College students, are you looking for something worthy to add to your resume?! Join us on Saturday at the GSWA Conservation Management Area (CMA) to help us steward the land. We will work from 10AM to 1PM and enjoy some well-earned snacks. We could really use your help getting our CMA tidied up by helping us with the following tasks: Carry in lumber • Build and elevate boardwalks which allows hikers to get through flooded areas • Clear branches and limbs from recent storms • Remove invasive plants • Spread woodchips on our trails.   Be sure to wear long pants, long sleeves, and hiking boots or old shoes you don’t mind getting muddy. Bring a hat and a reusable water bottle. We will provide bug spray, sun block, gloves, and all tools you will need. You’ll work hard, but will also share in some laughs, and enjoy delicious snacks. What better way to spend a Saturday morning? See you there!

Free

CANCELLED: Spring Flower Paddle- AM

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

DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES, THIS PADDLE HAS BEEN CANCELLED. WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE THIS MAY HAVE CAUSED.   Spring Flower AM Paddle Kick off your day with a peaceful spring paddle at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. By late-April, most tree are bursting with buds with their leaves ready to emerge. Birds like pine warblers and woodcocks are migrating back our way. Spring peepers and chorus frogs are calling. Come experience all this and more from a magical place - the middle of the Passaic River at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. 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 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 […]

$30.00 – $40.00

CANCELLED: Spring Flower Paddle- PM

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

DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES, THIS PADDLE HAS BEEN CANCELLED. WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE THIS MAY HAVE CAUSED.   Spring Flower PM Paddle Kick off your day with a peaceful spring paddle at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. By late-April, most tree are bursting with buds with their leaves ready to emerge. Birds like pine warblers and woodcocks are migrating back our way. Spring peepers and chorus frogs are calling. Come experience all this and more from a magical place - the middle of the Passaic River at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.   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 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 […]

$30.00 – $40.00