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President’s Day Hike @ The Refuge SOLD OUT

Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge - Orange Trailhead approx 77 Meyersville Rd., Green Village (Harding Township), NJ, United States

If you cannot attend, please email mhertgen@GreatSwamp.org to cancel so we can invite the next person on the waitlist email. Celebrate this President's Day with a relaxing, family-friendly, guided tour of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge's Orange Trail. The kids are off from school and it's a beautiful time of year to connect with nature. If there happens to be snow on the ground, your guide, GSWA's Ginger Van Ryzin, will help look for tracks and other signs of the critters who call the Refuge home. Dress for the weather and be sure to wear appropriate footwear. Click HERE for a map to the meetup location. GPS Coordinates: 40.726674, -74.457729

Free – $40.00

SOLD OUT – Vernal Pool Exploration Hike

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

To be added to the waitlist, email Melanie - mhertgen@greatswamp.org. If you reserved a spot but cannot attend, email Melanie so next person on the waitlist can be invited. 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.

Free – $40.00

The Great Swamp Scavenger Hunt Kickoff

Long Hill Township Library 917 Valley Rd, Gillette, NJ, United States

The Great Swamp Scavenger Hunt Kickoff is a FREE adventure game that is open to kids and adults alike! It's one of the most entertaining ways to discover- or rediscover- some of the great sites of natural, cultural, and historic importance tucked away in Long Hill Township. On your hunt, you'll learn about how water moves through our towns while scouting out trees, environmental groups, and waterways in the area!  You will have 2 weeks to complete this program. Grab your scavenger hunt booklet at the library any time during the two weeks of the event. Join GSWA staffers for this kickoff event to learn more about the hunt and enjoy some fun things to do to wet your appetite for this fun adventure brought to you in collaboration with Long Hill Twp. Library.   Register for the zoom webinar HERE! Be sure to scroll down to "Scavenger Hunt Kick -off: Sat. 4/1 12-2pm with the Great Swamp Watershed Association" and check "Yes, I want to attend".

SOLD OUT – Morning Paddle @ the Refuge

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

Morning Paddle: 10-11:30 AM Kick off your day with a peaceful spring paddle at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. By mid-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 will collect completed forms before put-in. Adult Attendee Minor Attendee The put-in location is the Fisherman's Parking Lot and […]

$30.00 – $40.00

SOLD OUT – Afternoon Paddle @ the Refuge

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

Afternoon Paddle: 12:30-2 PM Kick off your day with a peaceful spring paddle at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. By mid-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 will collect completed forms before put-in. Adult Attendee Minor Attendee The put-in location is the Fisherman's Parking Lot and […]

$30.00 – $40.00

Signs of Spring Hike @ Rifle Park

Rifle Camp Park 387 Rifle Camp Rd., Woodland Park, NJ, United States

SEE BELOW FOR MEETUP LOCATION   Join us on a journey through the trails of Rifle Camp Park and catch a glimpse of American history - this spot served as an excellent location for George Washington’s troops to observe British movements during the Revolutionary War in 1780. For you birders, this is the beginning of the spring warbler migration. Bring your camera and wear your hiking boots for this unique and historic hike. Meetup location: We will meet at the Carnie Bragg parking lot (the first lot to the left, follow signs for camping/camp sites) in Rifle Camp Park, 387 Rifle Camp Rd, Woodland Park, NJ 07424 https://goo.gl/maps/TFPCBhdDau2QW5ef8

$10.00 – $25.00

POSTPONED: Madison & The Chathams Town-wide Yard Sale

Despite wanting to hold this community event rain or shine, the weather forecast for April 29 calls for continuous and heavy rain. Therefore, we've made the difficult decision to postpone it to Saturday, May 6. We realize this may be a big inconvenience, but feel it is necessary. We will email all registrants to confirm if you wish to be on the map for the new date. Note: You are welcome to hold a yard sale on your own on April 29 and you can also be on the map for next week if you choose to do both Saturdays. Please direct any immediate concerns to the Environmental Commission of The Chathams and Madison at MEC@rosenet.org   Registration Deadline: Wednesday, April 26 @ 11:55 PM to get your address and sale items on the map.  CHECK BACK HERE ON April 28 FOR A DIGITAL MAP OF ALL YARD SALE PARTICIPANTS AND A LIST OF SALE ITEMS. These documents will also be shared in local media and on town sites. One person's trash is another person's treasure. Now is the time to start checking your closets, basement, and garage for those hidden treasures and prepare to host a yard sale at […]

$10.00

SOLD OUT – “Members Only” Twilight Hike at the Refuge

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

If you cannot attend, please email mhertgen@GreatSwamp.org to cancel so we can invite the next person on the waitlist email.   Thank you for being a GSWA Member! To show you our appreciation, we want to take you on a special behind-the-scenes hike at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. Come out and benefit from the wealth of natural history knowledge from your GSWA hike leaders. This time of year, flowers are in bloom, birds like red-bellied woodpeckers are nesting everywhere, wood froglets can be seen in mass around the vernal ponds, and we may even spot a red fox. We will be on the lookout for all this and more. Not a member? Not a problem.  You can join below and c'mon along! Once you establish your membership, you will need to come back here and register for this event.   This is your special "back stage pass" to take in all the beauty of the amazing lands that form part of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge Management area. NOTE:  We will meet at the Bluebird Parking Lot

Free

SOLD OUT – Late-day Paddle: Great Piece Meadows

Great Piece Meadows 2 Camp Ln, Fairfield, New Jersey

If you cannot attend, please email mhertgen@GreatSwamp.org to cancel so we can invite the next person on the waitlist email.   Late-Day Paddle: 4:30-6:00 PM Enjoy a peaceful, late-day paddle as we head up into Great Piece Meadows with a small group of people to explore a central portion of the Passaic River. The preserved area of Great Piece Meadows is known for its slow, quite twists and turns. It’s home to wildlife such as great blue heron, salamanders, turtles, mink, muskrat and more. 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. We will meet up at the Fairfield parking lot.  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

SOLD OUT – Evening Paddle: Great Piece Meadows

Great Piece Meadows 2 Camp Ln, Fairfield, New Jersey

If you cannot attend, please email mhertgen@GreatSwamp.org to cancel so we can invite the next person on the waitlist email. Evening Paddle: 6:30-8:00 PM Enjoy a peaceful evening paddle as we head up into Great Piece Meadows with a small group of people to explore a central portion of the Passaic River. The preserved area of Great Piece Meadows is known for its slow, quite twists and turns. It’s home to wildlife such as great blue heron, salamanders, turtles, mink, muskrat and more. 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. We will meet up at the Fairfield parking lot.  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 […]

$30.00 – $40.00