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Summer Colors Hike at Garret Mountain Reservation
REGISTERSoak up the last drops of summer at the beautiful Garret Mountain Reservation. Adam will guide you through the trails and identify the many varieties of trees and plants at the peak of their lushness. Situated 500 feet above sea level, Garret Mountain Reserve offers several overlooks with panoramic views of northern New Jersey and New York City that you can't see from anywhere else in Passaic County. Be sure to grab your binoculars, camera and reusable water bottle. Wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. Registration required.
Workshop: DIY Pollinator Box
REGISTERDid you know some bees don’t live in hives? Want to find out what all the buzz about pollinator boxes is about? Perhaps you already know and want one of your own. This workshop will be “the bee’s knees!” Join us for an evening of building, learning and all-around good fun as we talk about the importance of solitary bees and pollinator habitats to the ecosystem, and build a pollinator box of your own to take home! Cost: $20/box. This workshop is limited to the first 16 people who register. Missing this event will really sting, so make sure you register today!
Evening Briefing: Climate Change in New Jersey
REGISTERAs climate change becomes an alarmingly growing issue, it's important to know what we are facing. Come get the facts from Dr. Krassi Lazarova, Science Department Chair and Associate Professor of Physics at Centenary University. Dr. Lazarova will address the causes of climate change and the effects we will encounter right here in New Jersey. We will also learn about the ways we can adapt and even lessen the severity of our impact on our current environment.
Hike: Birds, Bees & Fungus
REGISTERGrab your binoculars and field guides for a Friday evening hike with our knowledgeable naturalists at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. The blue bird parking lot trail offers a variety of habitats and critters to see, including a pair of nesting bald eagles if we're lucky! Summer is in full swing and there are lots of beautiful wildflowers, birds, bugs and mushrooms on full display. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to check them all out and learn a little bit more about them! We will meet at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge Bluebird Parking Lot at the intersection of Pleasant Plains Rd. Auto Tour Route & Wood Duck…
Caribbean Night at the Swamp
REGISTERWe’re mixing up another exciting night at the Swamp and you’re invited! Join us as we bring you the sights, sounds, and taste of the Caribbean, transporting you from the beautiful New Jersey to an exotic "sandy" beach experience. Enjoy cool beverages and authentic Caribbean islands food, and live music from one of our favorites, Jeff Webb. Get into the island groove by wearing your favorite island or pirate attire for a chance to take home the "best dressed" grand prize that's both functional and eco-friendly. Try your luck at our fishing game (hint: brush up on your environmental facts) for a chance for additional prizes. Come beat the summer heat with a…
Night Sky in July
REGISTERUPDATE: due to forecasts of 90% cloudcover and inclement weather this event is postponed for a later date. Please e-mail knecovska@greatswamp.org to be informed of the rain-date. Explore the night sky with GSWA and North Jersey Astronomical Group (NJAG) for a very special late night summertime event. Our guest this evening is Mark Zdziarski of NJAG, who will help facilitate our viewing of the night sky and its constellations. This is a great event for amateurs, seasoned skywatchers, and any curious folks wanting to dip their toe in astronomy. As the evening darkens, Jupiter and Saturn become more prominent in the Southern sky. With luck, we will see the…
6/27: “Sounds of Summer” Invitation Only Hike at the Refuge
REGISTERWe want to show you our appreciation by taking you on a special behind-the-scenes hike at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. This time of year flowers are in bloom, birds such as 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 of this and more. Led by GSWA staffers, you will benefit from their combined wealth of natural history knowledge. Not a member? Become a member now by clicking the "JOIN" button at the top of this page. Then come back and register for the hike.…
6/14: June Moon Hike
REGISTERExplore Jockey Hollow by the full moon in June! Look and listen for owls, bats, fireflies and other nocturnal creatures by the light of a full moon. 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 two highly experienced and knowledgeable naturalists, Adam Palmer, GSWA Education Associate, and Eric Olsen, Park Ranger and local historian. 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.…
6/9: Great Swamp Great Music Festival
REGISTERGather up your friends and family for an afternoon of live, outdoor music at our 2nd Annual Great Swamp, Great Music Festival. Grab a spot under the tent or in the field, and check out the variety of tasty food, merchandise, and adult beverages for sale by our local vendors. It’s all the ingredients you’ll need for a sensational Sunday afternoon! Your email confirmation serves as your ticket - be sure to print it and bring it along! For more information, click here. TICKET SALES HAVE ENDED: Please purchase tickets at the gate.
5/23: Fungus Walk through the Swamp
REGISTERJoin your fellow fungus enthusiast, GSWA Education Coordinator, and all-around fungi, Adam Palmer, on a foray into the mysterious world of mushrooms, slimes and molds. Enjoy a hike around our Conservation Management Area as we look for and talk about the important roles of decomposers, symbiotic relationships, and even parasites in an ecosystem. Register today as there won’t be mush-room left on this hike if you wait!