Events Search and Views Navigation
Visit the Events index page
February 2024
Plug in to Native Groundcovers
REGISTERCome learn the benefits of using native groundcovers in the garden bed. Guest speaker, John Courtney, is the owner of Kind Earth Nursery and the supplier of many of the plugs used in GSWA’s Plant for Pollinators sale program. John will discuss pollinator-benefiting native alternatives to some of the more traditional non-native groundcovers such as the dreaded vinca vine and pachysandra. John will share how to properly manage these groundcovers for visual and ecological impact. You will also learn more about getting "plugged in” utilizing landscape plugs for a more economical solution to covering large square footage areas of the yard without breaking the bank. Register for…
Winter Flower ID
REGISTERNative plants can be tricky to ID even throughout the growing season, so identifying plants in the dead of winter seems next to impossible. But it is not! Come join our very own Ginger Van Ryzin to learn some of the tip and tricks to winter flower identification. Dress for the weather and be sure to wear appropriate footwear.
January 2024
Please see important notice below: Wolf Moon Hike
REGISTERImportant Notice: We are monitoring the weather for this hike. While Primrose Farm is higher ground than our board-walked swamp, it can still get muddy in rain. Be sure to wear appropriate boots and rain gear! If the temperatures drop and the rain turns icy, we may adjust our plans accordingly for driving conditions. January night hikes can be tough, but we hope to conduct the hike unless we feel it is unsafe. We will make the final decision by noon, January 24 and will email everyone and update this site. Thank you for your patience! Join us for a leisurely stroll through the Primrose Farm meadow as the…
Creating a Woodland Garden with Indigenous Plants & Vertical Structure
REGISTEROur kickoff webinar for the Plants for Pollinators series will discuss how to employ diversity in vertical strata in a woodland garden design using native understory plants and shrubs. Jean Epiphan, agricultural and resources agent and assistant professor with Rutgers Cooperative Extension in Morris County will be our guide. Jean will review the best choices of natural and green mulches to restore soil health and support native species. Jean draws from her experience in local forest research as well as practice in ornamental shade gardening to restore natural processes that fuel healthy native plant community rehabilitation. Register for the rest of the 4 part webinar series…
Plant for Pollinators Webinar Series – FREE
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 4th annual online Native Pollinator Plant Sale on April 1, we have secured three nationally recognized and diverse speakers to present at monthly webinars. Scroll to the very bottom and register to attend all 4 programs at once at the click of a button. This streamlined registration not only guarantees timely reminder emails with the Zoom link for each of the four talks, but also ensures that you receive recording links for all four webinars within 48 hours of each talk’s…
Free Zoom Webinar: Why We Love NJ’s Open Spaces
REGISTERDue to the snowstorm, this program will now be conducted via Zoom. The time remains the same, 6-7:30 PM. Please note: Registration closes at 5:30 pm, January 16. There’s a lot of news about climate change and the devastating effects it has and will continue to have on the state of New Jersey. Now, who’s ready for some good news? Join Dave Robinson, NJ State Climatologist and distinguished professor of geography at Rutgers University (and GSWA board member!) and discover why we are fortunate to live in the great state of New Jersey, thanks in part to our many scenic open spaces. From the Pine Barrens to the Great Swamp…
CANCELED: Tracks & Scat Detective Hike
REGISTERPLEASE NOTE This hike has been canceled due to the predicted snow/rain storm over the weekend. Thank you for your understanding. Ever wondered how to sleuth what animals are visiting an area - even when you are not rewarded with a sighting of the creature itself? As we enjoy a leisurely paced hike in the refuge, learn more about the scat (poop), tracks, and other markers our native wildlife leave to clue us into their presence. We will provide binoculars and poking sticks to help us get up close to these fascinating clues that enable you to become great wildlife detectives. Conditions can be wet or muddy. Wear appropriate…
Stewardship Day at the CMA
REGISTERStart the new year off by giving back! Our boardwalks are in need of alignment after the recent rainstorms dumped a combined 6+ inches of rain at our Conservation Management Area. Come out and brave the cold this Friday from 12-3PM to help fix up our trails and enjoy a hard-earned cup of hot cider!
December 2023
POSTPONED: Members Only Winter Solstice Night Hike
REGISTERWe will unfortunately have to postpone the Members Only Winter Solstice Hike due to heavy rain and flooding concerns. Please check back in the new year for the rescheduled date. Thank you for your understanding, and if you have any questions please email [email protected] Thank you for being a GSWA member! We invite you to bundle-up and come celebrate the first day of winter (winter solstice) with a crisp, invigorating hike at the Refuge. Winter solstice is the day with the fewest hours of sunlight in the whole year, making it the shortest day of the year. It’s a great time of year to look and listen for owls and other…
A Winter Wander Hike
REGISTERStep outside on a crisp, December morning and enjoy some fresh air on this winter wander through South Mountain Reservation. As we hike, you will learn about how the Lenape braved the cold winters as well as some geologic history. Along the way, we will see a waterfall (or two) and depending on the temperatures, they may or may not be frozen! Be sure to wear appropriate footwear and dress for the weather.