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REGISTRATION CLOSED: Vernal Pool Exploration Hike

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

This event has reached max capacity. To be placed on a waitlist, or if you have registered and are unable to attend, please email NRago@GreatSwamp.org.    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. GSWA members: Free, non-members: $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-17. Register at GreatSwamp.org or call 973-538-3500. Registration is required.

Sold Out Free – $40.00

Hike the Path of a Glacier

Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area Visitors Center 1 Mars Ct., Boonton, NJ, United States

Looking for a more challenging hike? Spend the afternoon with us for a unique experience where we will hike the path of a glacier and observe some unusual glacial erratics (stones and rocks that were transported by the glacier and then left behind after the glacier melted). Along with way we will stop to check out Tripod Rock, a 180-ton boulder balanced on three smaller boulders. It's truly a sight to behold. A little further on we will see Bear Rock, one of NJs largest glacial erratics, along other fascinating signs of the Wisconsin Glacier that retreated over 18,000 years ago. This is an intermediate hike with some rigorous conditions. Be sure to pack your binoculars, water, and snacks. Location Coordinates:  40.94671186514669, -74.38827526886288

Get Tickets Free – $40.00

GSWA 2nd Annual Plants for Pollinators Online Sale

GSWA 2nd Annual Plants for Pollinators Online Sale

Online

2022 Ordering Will Be Open April 1st to 22nd The Great Swamp Watershed Association Native Plant Sale provides a full selection of attractively priced native perennials and simple guidance for planting delightfully alive pollinator gardens that will thrive with minimal care. The Plants for Pollinators Online Sale is operated with the promotion and volunteers from Community Plant Sale Partners that include ten towns and seven community organizations. Our joint goal is to foster broad adoption of native plant gardens across our area to create necessary habitat for the pollinator insects and bird communities that are foundation elements of our local ecosystem – pooling our private yards to create what the popular lecturer and entomologist Doug Tallamy describes as a Homegrown National Park™. Selection – Peruse the native pollinator plant kits and individual species add-ons in the GSWA Native Plant Catalog. How Do I Pick Up My Orders? Order are to be picked up locally at your town’s participating pick-up location. At time of checkout, you can choose from one of the 14 locations to based on the location, date and time that works best for you. CLICK HERE to preview Pickup Locations made available through our Plant Sale Partners. Need Guidance? Take advantage of the Native Garden Planning Resources to […]

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 NRago@GreatSwamp.org

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 NRago@GreatSwamp.org  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 NRago@GreatSwamp.org    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 nrago@greatswamp.org  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 nrago@greatswamp.org  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 nrago@greatswamp.org  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 nrago@greatswamp.org  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 nrago@greatswamp.org  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