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  • NEW DATE: SOLD OUT: Worm Moon Hike at the Refuge

    Helen Fenske Visitor Center 32 Pleasant Plains Rd, New Vernon, NJ, United States

    DATE CHANGE: Due to expected rain, this hike has been rescheduled to 7:00pm on Tuesday, March 10. LOCATION CHANGE: This hike has moved to the White Oak Trail at the Helen Fenske Visitors Center in Basking Ridge. This event is sold out. Please email [email protected] to be added to the wait list. Join GSWA in nature for a hike under the last full moon of the winter! The worm moon signals the end of winter; as the ground begins to slowly thaw, the worms and larvae begin to emerge. Come out and explore the forest with GSWA's Ginger Van Ryzin as spring begins to approach. Be sure to wear appropriate footwear, dress for the weather, and bring a reusable water bottle and snacks if you so choose. Registration is required. IMPORTANT -- WAIVER: Per our special use permit, the refuge is asking for the hike participants to fill out a liability form before attending. Please complete and email this form to [email protected] when you register for this hike.  Please email Izzy ([email protected]) with questions or cancellations. Ticket sales end on 3/2/2026 at 3:00 PM. CANCELLATION POLICY: Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA) makes every effort to assure all programs and events […]

    Free – $40.00

  • Volunteer: CMA Community Spring Cleanup

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

    The swamp is calling! Need community service hours? College students—are you looking for something meaningful to add to your resume? Kick off Spring at our Conservation Management Area (CMA) in Harding Township. We could really use your help getting our 73-acre open space tidied up for the critters who call the CMA their home and for our human visitors who hike and recreate there! Bring your elbow grease and enthusiasm for this spirited day of working together for the love of our shared open spaces.    Be sure to wear long pants, long sleeves, and hiking boots or sturdy old shoes you don’t mind getting muddy. Bring a hat and a reusable water bottle. We will provide water, bug spray, sunscreen, gloves, snacks, and all the tools you need. What better way to spend a Saturday morning? We look forward to seeing you there! Registration is required.

    Free

  • SOLD OUT: Vernal Pool Exploration Hike

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

    THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT. TO BE ADDED TO THE WAITLIST, PLEASE EMAIL [email protected]   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. Please email Izzy [email protected] with questions or cancellations. CANCELLATION POLICY: Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA) makes every effort to assure all programs and events go off as planned. Should an event be cancelled due to severe weather or other unexpected reasons, GSWA will promptly notify all registrants […]

    $10.00 – $40.00

  • SOLD OUT: Spring Ephemeral Hike

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

    THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT. TO BE ADDED TO THE WAITLIST, PLEASE EMAIL [email protected] Celebrate spring at our Conservation Management Area with our spring ephemerals: woodland wildflowers that bloom before the forest canopy fills in. Come walk with naturalist Ginger Van Ryzin to see trout lilies, mayapples, anemone and more! Please email Izzy [email protected] with questions or cancellations. CANCELLATION POLICY: Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA) makes every effort to assure all programs and events go off as planned. Should an event be cancelled due to severe weather or other unexpected reasons, GSWA will promptly notify all registrants via email and the event page will reflect the status. To accommodate people on the waitlist, participants needing to cancel should do so ASAP. Cancellations made less than 48 hours in advance will not be refunded unless it is due to a health emergency. Unused registration fees may be converted into a tax-deductible donation.

    Get Tickets $10.00 – $15.00 1 ticket left

  • Passaic River Cleanup

    Team-up with Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA) and Roots & Shoots for our first-ever full Passaic River cleanup in honor of world-renowned environmentalist and conservationist, Jane Goodall! We've identified multiple local parks and dry land sites along the Passaic River that could use some attention and now we need your help to pick up the trash. When trash collects in these areas along the stream banks, it will eventually make its way into the water, polluting the river and impacting local wildlife. These types of cleanups make a big impact on the health of the river as a whole. Saturday, May 9, 2026 Cleanup 10am-12pm: Select a location that's convenient for you when you register Picnic 1-3pm at Riverside County Park Joseph Carucci Area, Lyndhurst, NJ Click HERE to register and select your cleanup location (this will take you to a Google form) Cleanup hub towns (click HERE to view the the map): Newark Riverfront Park – Raymond Blvd, Newark Kearny Riverbank Park – Passaic Ave, Kearny Riverside County Park: South – Riverside Ave, Lyndhurst Pulaski Park – 4th St., Passaic West Side Park - Totowa Ave, Paterson (pending checking with parks about current construction) Kayak Launch for Great Piece […]

  • Session 1: Spring Birding Paddle

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

    Come out and enjoy the sights along the beautiful banks of the Passaic River as we paddle the headwaters region of the Great Swamp and look out for spring migrants. This area is full of wildlife, native vegetation, and beautiful views. There are 7 spots available per session – only 2 spots per registration. Children 8 and up are welcome. All participants 15 and under must be accompanied by a parent.  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, 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 GSWA kayaks, used in our water quality and educational programming, were purchased with the generous funding provided by the Thomas Glasser Foundation. The meet up location is the Somerset County Park Commission Fisherman's Parking Lot. Please email Izzy [email protected] with questions or […]

    Get Tickets $30.00 – $70.00

  • Session 2: Spring Birding Paddle

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

    Come out and enjoy the sights along the beautiful banks of the Passaic River as we paddle the headwaters region of the Great Swamp and look out for spring migrants. This area is full of wildlife, native vegetation, and beautiful views. There are 7 spots available per session – only 2 spots per registration. Children 8 and up are welcome. All participants 15 and under must be accompanied by a parent.  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, 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 GSWA kayaks, used in our water quality and educational programming, were purchased with the generous funding provided by the Thomas Glasser Foundation. The meet up location is the Somerset County Park Commission Fisherman's Parking Lot. lease email Izzy [email protected] with questions or […]

    Get Tickets $30.00 – $70.00
  • Full Moon Hike at the Refuge

    Blue Moon Hike at the Refuge

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

    Experience the Great Swamp like never before under the rare glow of a Blue Moon. While the moon won't actually change color, this celestial event occurs when a single calendar month—in this case, May 2026—features two full moons instead of one. Because the lunar cycle is approximately 29.5 days, the timing occasionally "laps" our 31-day months, giving us a "bonus" full moon that only appears once every two to three years. We’ll explore the vibrant nocturnal world of the swamp—listening for the chorus of cicadas and spring peepers, watching for the silhouettes of owls, and soaking in the serene atmosphere of the marsh after dark. It’s a unique opportunity to connect with the watershed during a truly "once in a blue moon" moment. Be sure to wear appropriate footwear, dress for the weather, and bring a reusable water bottle and snacks if you so choose. Registration is required. IMPORTANT -- WAIVER: Per our special use permit, the refuge is asking for the hike participants to fill out a liability form before attending. Please complete and email this form to [email protected] when you register for this hike.  Please email Izzy ([email protected]) with questions or cancellations. Ticket sales end on 3/2/2026 at […]

    Get Tickets Free – $40.00

  • Nature Journaling Hike

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

    Nature journaling is a centuries-old practice used to record observations, changes and data about the world around us. It is also a way to build observational and relational thinking and curiosity. We will wander through the CMA, pausing several times to collect our observations, questions, and connections in our notebooks. Through prompts and practices, we will deepen our awareness of the natural world and let our own curiosity guide our observations. You do not need to be an artist or a naturalist to enjoy nature journaling, you just have to be willing to slow down and take a look around! No previous artistic experience required. Adults - includes journal notebook, art supplies provided. Please email Izzy [email protected] with questions or cancellations. CANCELLATION POLICY: Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA) makes every effort to assure all programs and events go off as planned. Should an event be cancelled due to severe weather or other unexpected reasons, GSWA will promptly notify all registrants via email and the event page will reflect the status. To accommodate people on the waitlist, participants needing to cancel should do so ASAP. Cancellations made less than 48 hours in advance will not be refunded unless it is due […]

    Get Tickets $20.00 – $60.00

  • America’s 250th Celebration Firefly Hike

    Helen Fenske Visitor Center 32 Pleasant Plains Rd, New Vernon, NJ, United States

    Come experience nature's own fireworks display with the brilliant flickers of fireflies. This is a fun way to get in some evening steps while we explore the fascinating lives and behaviors of our glowing friends just one week before the bigger, brighter, fireworks of our 250th anniversary celebration. This will be an easy-going, natural history-focused hike on flat, boardwalked trails. Please email Izzy [email protected] with questions or cancellations. CANCELLATION POLICY: Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA) makes every effort to assure all programs and events go off as planned. Should an event be cancelled due to severe weather or other unexpected reasons, GSWA will promptly notify all registrants via email and the event page will reflect the status. To accommodate people on the waitlist, participants needing to cancel should do so ASAP. Cancellations made less than 48 hours in advance will not be refunded unless it is due to a health emergency. Unused registration fees may be converted into a tax-deductible donation.

    Get Tickets Free – $40.00