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January 2023
Native Plants for Native Wildlife – Watch the Replay
REGISTERWhether you missed it or want to watch it again - register to receive the replay link for: Native Plants for Native Wildlife - Cultivating Biodiversity Host: Desiree Narango, Conservation Scientist with the Vermont Center for Ecostudies Desiree kicked off our 4-part Plants for Pollinators webinar series with a lively talk about the fascinating complexity of plant-animal interactions. This is your opportunity to learn more about the breadth of research which shows how native plants, and the pollinators and insects that feed upon them, are the foundation for cultivating food webs and encouraging biodiversity in our yards, patios, school grounds, and other privately-managed green spaces. This program will leave knowing more about why native plants are crucial to sustaining biodiversity and specific plant species that are important for supporting specialist pollinators and songbirds. Scroll to the very bottom to register for the link. Want…
2nd Annual “Source to Sea” Virtual Challenge
REGISTERReady for a winter challenge? Join us for our 2nd annual Source to Sea 80-mile virtual challenge where you will virtually travel the distance of the Passaic River. Run, walk, bike, snowshoe, ski, dance, shovel, vacuum, roll - any indoor or outdoor activity you choose (as long as it is powered by you) - for 80 miles, the length of the Passaic River. This can be done from anywhere in the world. You will have just over 8 weeks to chip away at this goal that runs Saturday, January 21 through Sunday, March 26 from literally anywhere in the world! Click below to learn more and register (this will take you to a 3rd party platform) Choose one activity or any combination to accomplish your goal. Start small and build on it, tackle it in big chunks, or anything in between. This is…
February 2023
Full “Snow” Moon Night Hike @ The Refuge
REGISTERThere 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. Registration is required.
President’s Day Hike @ The Refuge
REGISTERCelebrate 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
Native Pollinator Plant Webinar Series
REGISTERBuilding a "Jersey-friendly yard" creates a healthy foundation of soil, conserves water, attracts and supports wildlife, and adds beauty and interest to your home landscape. Leading up to our 3rd annual, online Native Pollinator Plant Sale on April 3, we have secured three nationally recognized and diverse speakers to present at monthly webinars. Scroll to the very bottom and register to attend all 3 remaining programs at once at the click of a button. Register for individual programs below: Feb 21, 7-8 PM: Wasps: The Astonishing Diversity of a Misunderstood Insect. Speaker: Eric Eaton, Acclaimed writer and entomologist specializing in Hymenoptera (a large order of insects, comprising…
Evening Briefing: Wasps – The Astonishing Diversity of a Misunderstood Insect
REGISTERRegistration closes February 21 @ 5 PM Wasps: The Astonishing Diversity of a Misunderstood Insect Speaker: Eric Eaton FREE Zoom Webinar Wasps - people love to hate them. However, contrary to popular belief, wasps serve 2 important roles in our ecosystem: 1) they are pest controllers, hunting other insect species and keeping their population in check which prevents garden and crop decimation, and 2) they are pollinators for nearly 1000 plant species. Join acclaimed author Eric Eaton as he deconstructs our misconceptions about the often-vilified wasps and talks about the invaluable ecosystem services wasps provide. He will also challenge us to shift the outdated mindset of what…
March 2023
Pi Day Pub Quiz
REGISTERCome celebrate pi day with some pizza "pi" and a lively nature knowledge pub quiz. March 14 marks Pi Day, an annual celebration of the mathematical sign pi representing the first three digits of pi (3.14) and coincidentally, 3/14 also happens to be Albert Einstein's birthday. So, for all you smarty-pants out there, this is your opportunity to showcase your knowledge of nature, water, and the environment. Play for prizes and bragging rights! Team sizes may range from 3-5 players. Friends busy that day? No worries - we will team you up with other enthusiastic players. Multiple choice questions range from beginner to expert level. Sample question: Are corals rocks,…
What’s the Buzz About Native Bees?
REGISTERRegistration closes March 21 @ 5 PM What's the Buzz About Native Bees? Speaker: Heather Holm FREE Zoom Webinar When you see bees buzzing around your garden, that's a good thing. It means they are doing their jobs... pollinating! Pollination is essential in growing flowers and plants - basically all the food we consume as animals on this planet. Join biologist, pollinator conservationist, and award-winning author, Heather Holm, for a lively discussion about our friends, the bees, and all they do for our ecosystem. Not a fan of bees? All the more reason to attend this webinar. The fear of bees can be very real for many…
Vernal Pool Exploration Hike
REGISTERWith 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…
April 2023
Stream Assessment Training – FREE
REGISTERUnless there's obvious pollution in the river or stream, to the untrained eye, the water may look healthy. But is it? This free training session, led by Sandra LaVigne, GSWA Director of Water Quality Programs, will provide you with all the necessary skills to make your own determinations. An indoor classroom session teaches you how to conduct visual and biological stream assessments, identify macroinvertebrates, and recognize environmental factors that could impact stream health. An outdoor session lets you practice your new-found skills at a local stream site. By afternoon, you will be fully trained in visual and biological stream assessment. And if you are ready to take that next step,…