GSWA

Volunteers Needed to Spruce-up CMA
2021-07-16 09:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | Great Swamp Watershed Association’s CMA, 1 Tiger Lily Ln, Morristown, NJ, 07960, United States
Ready to get a little dirty and sweaty in the swamp? Need community service hours. College students – looking for something to add to your resume? Join us on Friday mornings at the GSWA Conservation Management Area (CMA) to help us steward the land on the following days: July 16, 23, 30, and August 20, 27. We will work from 9 AM to 12:30 PM and enjoy some well-earned snacks provided by GSWA Director of Land Stewardship, Hazel England. We could really use your help getting our CMA tidied up by helping us with the following tasks:
Carry in lumber, build and elevate boardwalks which will allow hikers to get through now flooded areas, clear branches and limbs that came down in recent storms, remove invasive plants, and woodchip the trails.
Be sure to wear long pants, long sleeves, and hiking boots or old shoes you don’t mind getting muddy. Bring a hat and a reusable water bottle. We will provide bug spray, sun block, gloves, and all tools you will need.
You’ll work hard, share some laughs, and enjoy some snacks. What better way to spend a Friday morning? See you there!

Volunteer for Stream Cleanup
2021-07-10 10:00 - 13:00 | NJ
City Of Water Day – Help clean our streams
COW Day is a celebration of the waters that surround us. Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA)* invites you to observe this important day by helping us clean up the stream.
Our theme this year is climate change and the impacts of flooding on water quality. We will highlight this issue by tracking and sharing the single-use plastic collected by our volunteers.
VOLUNTEER CLEANUP LOCATIONS:
Chatham River Park – Berkley Heights, Spring Garden Brook – Madison
Loantaka Headwaters – Morristown, Canoe Launch – Livingston,
Passaic River – Long Hill/Millington

Join in the fun and help get our streams healthy!
Select your location and register to volunteer below
*GSWA in partnership with NY/NJ HEP and the Hudson River Foundation

Cook with GSWA: Garlic Mustard Pesto & Beyond
2021-05-24 17:00 - 18:00 | NJ
This event has been rescheduled for Monday, May 24 at 5 pm.
Let’s get wild! Join us for a cooking demonstration where we will showcase items we have foraged and then turn them into food. We will talk about the benefits of foraging for edible invasive (non-native) species, for example, garlic mustard. Garlic mustard is one of the worst invaders of Northeast and Midwest American forests, reducing the diversity of all species. April through end of May is garlic mustard season so you will be able to easily find it and make your own pesto. Come learn about these and other types of plants where we can reduce their presence simply by eating them!

Great Swamp Great Music Festival
2021-05-23 13:00 - 18:00 | Giralda Farms Preserve, Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ, United States
TICKES ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE ONLINE – PLEASE GET YOUR TICKETS AT THE GATE
SEE YOU THERE!

4th Annual Great Swamp Great Music Festival
Sunday, May 23, 1-6 PM (rain or shine!)
It’s time to reacquaint yourself with fresh air and live music. We’ve brought back fan-favorites and a few new faces for 5 hours of continuous entertainment! Bring your own blankets and chairs and spread out on the sprawling, tree-lined lawn of Giralda Farms in Chatham Twp. You are welcome to bring along your own pop-ups and/or umbrellas, but you MUST secure them in place in case of wind. As always, a great selection of food and adult beverages will be available for purchase and you can browse the unique merchandise from our vendors.

LINEUP
Live music with: Lenox Underground *Big Train * The Big Fuss
Solo artists: Jeff Webb * Introducing Nick Amling
Featuring: The Holiday Ramblers

FOOD VENDORS (click the name to view their menus!)
Pie Oh My! * A Taco Affair * Thistle Catering * Nothing Bundt Cakes * Sip & Swirl Ice cream
MERCH VENDORS
Crafts by Alice (unique, handmade, nature-themed decor) * Daydream Creations (paintings & birdhoused) * House of Cork (sustainable purses & handbags), It’s All About You (wall hangings, coasters, scarves, etc.) * Love is all you Bead (beautiful handcrafted jewelry) * Patricia & Paul (flavor infused oils and vinegars), Patches & Paws (stuffed puppies)

DIRECTIONS: Enter via Madison Ave. in Madison, then turn onto Dodge Dr. – follow the signs to registration and parking. The Woodland Ave. entrance in Chatham Twp. will be closed.
FESTIVAL ENTRY/REGISTRATION: Check-in will be conducted at the venue’s entrance through your vehicle window. We strongly encourage you to buy your ticket in advance.
TICKETS (PRE-PURCHASED): Purchasing your ticket in advance saves you money and reduces lines. Please print your ticket receipt or have it available your mobile device for a faster check-in experience. Online ticket purchasing closes Saturday, May 22 @ 5 PM. After that, tickets must be purchased at the gate.
TICKETS (PURCHASED AT THE GATE): If you choose to purchase day-of at the gate, there’s a slight price increase: Adults-$30 / Students-$20 / Children under 13-Free. You will be asked to purchase your ticket(s) online from your mobile device. If you are unable to do so, credit cards, cash, and checks will be accepted.
PARKING: Parking is free and plentiful. Handicapped parking is available at the front of the lot. It’s a bit of a distance on grass to the festival area. If you have a special request, please call Val at 908-872-0344 and we will do our best to accommodate you.
2021 Great Swamp Great Music Festival COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS
COVID-19 STATEMENT: GSWA is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all who attend this event. Giralda Farms can comfortably accommodate a physically distanced gathering. GSWA will follow and comply with all current safety protocols as outlined in the state of New Jersey’s COVID-19 Information Hub.
Masks/Social Distancing: For everyone’s safety, all attendees ages 2 and over are expected wear your mask (covering your nose and mouth) while waiting on line and at any point that you are unable to remain 6-feet apart from other festival goers.
Porta-Johns: All porta-johns will be equipped with hand sanitizers inside. In addition, sanitizing stations will be located in the “restroom” area. Patrons will be instructed to use prior to entering and after leaving the porta-john. Social distance lines will be marked off.
Sanitizing Stations: Will be set up in various places on the fairgrounds to include hand sanitizer and disinfectants.
Food/merchandise vendors: Will follow appropriate safety protocols, have hand sanitizer and wipes readily available, and social distance lines will be marked off.
We ask our attendees that, on festival day, anyone who feels ill, or has been exposed to someone diagnosed with COVID-19, for the public safety, please remain at home. GSWA will continue to monitor NJ state guidelines, and review and revise these protocols as necessary.

Sustainable Foraging Hike - The Basics
2021-05-16 13:00 - 15:00 | Great Swamp Watershed Association’s CMA, 1 Tiger Lily Ln, Morristown, NJ, 07960, United States
Foraging: To search for a particular food or foods, often in the wild.
Curious? Come learn more. GSWA’s Education Associate and resident foraging expert, Adam Palmer, will guide you through the woods to discover the various types of forageable (and unforeagable) foods that can be found throughout the Great Swamp watershed and beyond. It’s important to know how to forage safely and ethically before you try this yourself. This is an informative hike only – we will not actually be foraging.
But, if you’re anxious to give it a go, join us again on May 17, 5-6 PM for a “Cook with GSWA” Zoom webinar. We will show you how to prepare a delicious garlic mustard pesto made from foraged wild garlic mustard. Register on our website under “events.”

(Location change) Early AM Birding Hike @ Primrose Farm
2021-05-11 07:00 - 08:30 | Primrose Farm (Enter from Barrett Field), Barrett Field, 1413-000460000-000020001-00000, Morristown, NJ, 07960
THIS HIKE HAS BEEN MOVED TO PRIMROSE FARM
We will meet at the Harding Land Trust’s Primrose Farms Parking Lot at 7am.
This can be a difficult location to get the GPS to bring you to properly as it doesn’t have an exact address, and it often wants to take you to a location much further away.
The baseball field (Barret Field) where parking is available is located on Brook Dr S, Morristown, NJ off of Bailey’s Mill Rd, off of Route 202. Look for the sign saying Barret Field entrance
Click HERE for a map of the exact location.
If you enter “Brook Dr S, Morristown, NJ” into your GPS it should take you to the correct road but please double check to make sure that it is the one off of Baileys Mill Rd.
If you have a problem finding the location, please call Adam at 908-399-5610

New Jersey birding reaches its peak in May! So start your work day off right by exploring the woods of Jockey Hollow with some of the most popular bird watching trails in the area. The park contains important breeding habitat and is home to more than 120 bird species throughout the year including Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Pileated as well as Hairy Woodpeckers, Yellow-throated Vireo, thrushes and more. Space is limited so don’t hesitate, register today! Registration is required.
(Photo credit: Anne Squadrito)

Landscape Design: Creating Native Habitat
2021-05-04 19:00 - 20:30 | Great Swamp Watershed Association HQ, 568 Tempe Wick Rd, Morristown, NJ, 07960, United States
Let’s talk about the evolution of a habitat garden. What does that mean? It’s the concept of creating a native habitat garden focusing on 3 main fundamentals: careful design, correct installation, and ongoing maintenance. Mike Devos of Indigenous Ingenuities (and the lead of the recent wetlands restoration at our Conservation Management Area) will take us through it all. Learn how native plants can be incorporated into all types of design from formal gardens to naturalized plantings, how they are installed in ecologically sensitive ways, and how to care for them moving forward. This program will take place on Zoom and in person for a maximum of 9 attendees (first come first serve.)

Rolling Knolls Landfill Superfund CAG Meeting - April 27
2021-04-27 18:00 - 20:00 | NJ
April 27: This meeting is a follow-up to the April 15 Meeting. This will be a special session to address public comments from the April 15 meeting.

April 15: This is a public meeting on the status of the Rolling Knolls Landfill in Green Village, Chatham Township. If you are interested in joining a Community Advisory Group (CAG) and attending the April 15 meeting, please register here. The CAG will provide a public forum for the community to discuss their concerns and offer input to the EPA on the cleanup as it moves forward. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link to attend the session.
Click here to download the meeting agenda for April 15.
Click here to visit our Rolling Knolls page with full history and document archive.

POSTPONED: Perfect Your Flower Arrangement Skills on Zoom
2021-04-25 14:00 - 15:00 | NJ
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED
We’ve all been there – we put a bunch of flowers in a vase imagining how great they will look. They don’t. We move them around and tilt our head. Nope. So, we walk away with plans to fix them. A week later, we toss these once cheery flowers in the trash. Let’s change that behavior. Join Amy Seuberth, General Manager of Back to Nature Home & Garden, for a demo on how to arrange flowers in a pleasing way. She will also share tips on how to keep them healthier and looking more beautiful longer. The $40 fee covers your flowers, a mason jar vase, and expert tutorial. Seasonal flowers may include Seeded Eucalyptus, Mini Green Hydrangea, Thistle, Stock, Wax Flower, and others. Registration closes April 18 @ 5 PM to allow time for ordering flowers so, register today! See below for pick-up instructions.

Please plan to pick up your flowers and vase at Back to Nature Home & Garden – 3055 Valley Rd, Basking Ridge, NJ / (908) 350-7506 on one of the following days:
Saturday, April 24 – 9am-5pm
Sunday, April 25 – 10am-2pm

Workshop: DIY Open Tray Bird Feeder
2021-04-23 09:00 - 2021-05-06 17:00 | NJ
Feeding your neighborhood birds in the winter is a great way to entertain yourself and your family, and the birds really appreciate it! When you build a tray (hopper) feeder, you’ll attract birds like titmouse, chickadees, mockingbirds, mourning doves, and many more. This feeder is simple to construct and it will be ready to set up outside immediately. Here’s how it works: register for this virtual program, collect your kit from our office in a secure and safe way, then build the box at your leisure at home following our easy to follow, step-by-step instruction guide. Technical support is available should you require some help. All you will need is a hammer, the kit, and a little patience.
Kit pickup will be determined on a case-by-case basis. We will discuss what day/time works best for you. There’s a limited supply of kits available so register today! Pickup location: GSWA Headquarters, 568 Tempe Wick Rd., Morristown, NJ.
What will we do with all the leftovers? Stay tuned…

Houseplants: Health Benefits & Tending Tips – Zoom
2021-04-18 14:00 - 15:00 | NJ
Registration closes April 18 @ 12 noon.

Houseplants help improve indoor air quality because they help to filter out air pollutants and clean the air within your home. This past year as we’ve spent more time at home, houseplant sales have taken off! Whether you’re considering picking up one or two, or have had a green thumb for many years, this Zoom program is right for you. Amy Seuberth, General Manager of Back to Nature Home & Garden, will broadcast from her store in Basking Ridge to introduce her top 10 favorite plants and explain why they are on her list. This is also your chance to ask an expert about your own plants. Join us for this unique opportunity to learn more about these decorative and oxygen producing flora that brighten up our homes and our moods. All who register and attend will be entered in a free raffle to win a plant from Back to Nature! Registration is required.

Chatham-Madison Town-wide Yard Sale to Benefit GSWA
2021-04-17 09:00 - 13:00 | NJ
This event has passed. Another Chathams/Madison community yard sale has been scheduled for Saturday, April 30, 2022, 9 AM – 1 PM. Click here for info and to register.

Calling all residents of The Chathams and Madison. Planning to host a yard sale at this community event? Register below to have your address and a list of your items for sale to appear on a digital, printable map. The map will be linked to this page and publicized far and wide to potential shoppers. Simply scroll down and complete the registration form. You must be a resident of Chatham Township, Chatham Borough or Madison to list your sale.
Registration Fee: $10 tax-deductible donation to benefit Great Swamp Watershed Association.
Everyone else, mark your calendar for April 17 to get out and shop sustainably at this amazing three-town-wide yard sale! Be sure to check back here before you head out to download the map (forthcoming).

Frequently asked questions:
Why pay to be on the map? Over the last three years, we have found that our town-wide sales attract shoppers from across NJ—and Pennsylvania. We promote the sale (and the map) in local media and on popular garage sale sites.
Can I have a sale without paying to be on the map? Yes. Residents of the Chathams and Madison are welcome to hold sales on their own.
Do I need to pay a permit fee ? No. The permit fee for this event has been waived for residents of Madison and The Chathams.
Should I put up a sign if I’m on the map? Yes. Signs will attract additional customers who are just driving by.
What COVID-19 precautions should I take? Shoppers and hosts must wear masks. Tables should be set up to facilitate social distancing. Hand sanitizer should be available and contactless payment encouraged.
Who do I contact with questions? Please direct all questions to the Environmental Commission of The Chathams and Madison at mec@rosenet.org
What should I do with my yard sale leftovers? Our goal is to have the yard sale be zero waste. Contact following organizations to arrange pickups of your leftovers:
Vietnam Veterans of America (vva.org)
Lupus Foundation of America (Lupuspickup.org)
GreenDrop (gogreendrop.com)
Market Street Mission (marketstreet.org)
In addition, Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore (morrisrestore.org/donate) does some pickups; it accepts antiques, furniture, flooring, brand new plumbing, painting supplies, doors and more.

To register below, change the quantity from 0 to 1 and click “ADD TO CART” to begin the process.

SOLD OUT: Spring into Spring Hike @ the Refuge
2021-04-11 10:00 - 12:00 | Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge – Bluebird Parking Lot, Bluebird Parking Lot, Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, NJ, United States
Sorry, this event is sold out. Please check out our other events.

Blooming flowers, budding branches, and a glimpse of our forest critters are all indicators that spring is here! The red-winged blackbirds and eastern phoebes are the first to get the memo that it’s time to return and start nesting, while woodpeckers and spring peepers make their presence known more by sound than by sight. Don’t miss this glorious time of year to be in the great outdoors. Step on out and inhale the earthy spring smell that the land produces this time of year. GSWA Education Associate, Adam Palmer, will guide you along the relaxing trails of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge for this family-friendly stroll. Registration required. Space is limited so register today!

Stream Assessment Training on Zoom-FREE!
2021-04-02 13:00 - 14:00 | NJ
Registration closes at 11 AM, Friday, April 2
Scroll down for Zoom technical assistance links.

Interested in the health of your local stream? Concerned about clean water? Perhaps you’ve even considered becoming a stream monitoring volunteer. If any this makes you raise an eyebrow, this free virtual training session is for you!
Sandra LaVigne, GSWA Director of Water Quality Programs, will join you virtually to teach you how to conduct visual and biological stream assessments, identify macroinvertebrates, and recognize environmental factors that may impact stream health. By the end of the hour, you will have the skills you need to conduct your own assessments for fun or as a visual stream assessment volunteer! (Preferred volunteers are 15 or older.) You will receive the link to this training session post-registration.

Zoom technical assistance links:
Having issues joining the session? Please review the Zoom Help Center.
How to Join Zoom Meeting, click here for video tutorial.

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED: Gardening for Pollinators - Plant It, They will Come
2021-04-01 12:00 - 12:45 | NJ
Sorry – registration has closed for this event.
If you build it, they will come. Imagine you and your family relaxing in your yard, watching the butterflies, dragonflies, hummingbirds, and other beautiful pollinators and wildlife frocking in your pollinator garden. This doesn’t have to be a distant dream – it’s an attainable reality! Join Hazel England, GSWA Director of Education, Outreach, and Land Stewardship (and our resident pollinator expert) on Zoom for the low-down. Learn the appropriate native plants you will need to attract pollinators and why this type of garden benefits your yard, your neighborhood, and our shared watershed. There will be a 15-minute Q&A session from 12:30-12:45 so bring your questions! Register, then check out our native pollinator plant sale taking place April 1-22 here.

Native Pollinator Plant Sale
2021-04-01 09:00 - 2021-04-22 17:00 | NJ
We have restocked! Place your order now through April 22.

Native Plant Pollinator gardens are delightful for homeowners and necessary to sustain wildlife. Finding a full selection of native perennials that will thrive in our local area can be hard, so we’ve done it for you!

Pollinator garden plans, kits, and a full selection of robust plants
Easily to follow How-to resources
Consultation with volunteers experienced with native plant gardening in yards like yours

Click HERE to view and purchase
Here’s how our plant sale works:

Peruse the native pollinator plant kits and individual species add-ons in our Catalog.
Take advantage of the easy Garden Resources page to make your decision
Place your orders no later than April 22. We encourage you to decide early because quantities are limited and we will sell out!
Pick up of your orders will occur on either May 1 or 2.
You will be assigned to one of [these plant sale partner-operated town pickup locations] based on your town of residence.
If you are not a resident of one of these towns, you will be assigned to a nearby pickup site.
Questions about the plants or garden designs should be directed to GSWAPlantSale@gmail.com
Enjoy spring to fall blooms and amazing butterflies and other pollinators beginning this summer and for many years to come!

Why plant a pollinator garden? Habitat to sustain our pollinators is vital – their services are necessary for the production fruits and vegetables and the health of our plant and wildlife communities. Pollinator gardens provide critical habitat and food (pollen and nectar) for insects and birds, whose populations are under threat. Even a tiny garden will attract and feed hosts of pollinators. As you can see, what you do with your yard is important. So, this Earth Day, April 22, celebrate your commitment to watershed-friendly living by planting or expanding your native pollinator garden!
This plant sale is brought to you by GSWA and 17 Plant Sale Community Partners in 10 towns: Bernards Township, Chatham Borough, Chatham Township, Harding Township,
Madison Borough, Morris Township, Morristown, South Orange, Summit, and Westfield.

CANCELLED: Pup Hike
2021-03-28 13:00 - 15:00 | Great Swamp Watershed Association’s CMA, 1 Tiger Lily Ln, Morristown, NJ, 07960, United States
Sorry, this hike has been cancelled due to the weather .

It’s been a looong winter so, we’ve decided to sneak in an extra hike. Treat your best friend (and yourself) to some fresh air with a leisurely, early-spring hike in the woods. Flowers are peeking out of the ground, trees are budding, and birds are finding their way back. With so much to see, smell, and hear, your pooch is sure to have a great night’s sleep after this big adventure! All pups must remain on a leash for the full hike and play nice with other dogs. Please come prepared to clean up any messes. Space is limited to 10 pups, and 8 humans. This is one of our more popular hikes so register today. GSWA Members $5, non-members $10, children under 18 free.

SOLD OUT: Vernal Pool Exploration
2021-03-26 19:00 - 21:00 | Great Swamp Watershed Association’s CMA, 1 Tiger Lily Ln, Morristown, NJ, 07960, United States
SORRY, THIS HIKE IS SOLD OUT.
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 as they disappear quickly! This annual nighttime 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 springtime depends on some unassuming puddles of water on the forest floor. Warm clothing and waterproof footwear, especially hiking boots, are strongly recommended. Registration is required.

Intro to Rain Gardens on Zoom - FREE
2021-03-25 19:00 - 20:00 | NJ
Registration closes at 5 PM on Thu., March 25! – Scroll down for Zoom technical assistance links.

Thinking of adding a rain garden to your yard? Smart choice! A rain garden is a beautiful addition to your landscape that also provides a valuable function. By causing water to absorb slowly into the ground it reduces and sometimes even prevent flooding. A rain garden also helps keep stormwater run-off from carrying pollution to our drinking water sources. Join us for an in-depth review of the benefits of installing a rain garden at your home and get some basic how-to suggestions.
At the end of this program, Summit and Summit area residents you can also register for a free, 30-minute consultation scheduled for April 8, 5-8 PM. Rutgers University engineers and landscape architects will work with you to plan and lay out a rain garden specific to your yard. You will leave with a design plan and a list of recommended plants. You MUST attend the March 25th program to qualify for the April 8 design session. No exceptions.
Take advantage of these two free Summit Area Rain Garden programs, co-hosted by GSWA & Rutgers Cooperative Extension Water Resources Program. Registration is required. You will receive Zoom login details post-registration.
This program is sponsored by a grant from The Mary Reinhart Stackhouse Foundation for the purpose of improving Summit area’s water quality, one yard at a time.

Zoom technical assistance links:
Having issues joining the session? Please review the Zoom Help Center.
How to Join Zoom Meeting, click here for video tutorial.

Cook with GSWA on Zoom - Plant-based Recipes
2021-03-23 17:00 - 18:00 | NJ
Registration closes at 3 PM on Tuesday, March 23. Scroll down for Zoom technical assistance links.
Our “Cook with GSWA” series has a guest chef this month! Cook along with Chef Dianne Wenz or simply relax with your favorite beverage and enjoy the show. Author of 3 plant-based cookbooks and an established cooking instructor, Chef Wenz invites us (virtually) into her kitchen to prepare a tantalizing vegan dinner of Cauliflower Piccata that’s nut-free, gluten-free, and soy-free. Accompanying this meal is a Greek salad with homemade balsamic dijon vinaigrette dressing. This dinner is sure to amuse everyone’s taste buds. This is our third Zoom cooking program in this popular “Cook with GSWA” series.

Registration is required for this free program. You will receive the recipes and Zoom link via email prior to the event. Questions? Email vthorpe@greatswamp.org.

Zoom technical assistance links.
Having issues joining the session? Please review the Zoom Help Center.
How to Join Zoom Meeting, click here for video tutorial.

Become a FrogWatcher
2021-03-19 19:00 - 20:00 | NJ
Like frogs? Hop onto our “citizen science” Zoom training session to learn more about our amphibian friends including how to distinguish between a spring peeper and a wood frog, and how to identify many other local frogs and toads. Feeling inspired to do more? Become an official FrogWatch volunteer. Eric Jackson, Environmental Educator at Cora Hartshorn Arboretum, will train you how to properly log and report your sightings in a nationwide database. It’s fun for the whole family and it’s free! This training program is held in association with Cora Hartshorn Arboretum. Registration is required.
Zoom link will be shared prior to the event.

Water Quality Update on Zoom - FREE
2021-03-19 15:00 - 16:00 | NJ
Registration closes at 1 PM on Friday, March 19. Scroll down for Zoom technical assistance links.
Human beings can survive 3 weeks without food, but only 3 days without water. How important is it to you that your water is clean? Join GSWA Water Quality Director, Sandra LaVigne, for an in-depth review of the water quality in the Great Swamp watershed and in the Passaic River region. This brief presentation will highlight the results of the sampling and testing we performed on our local streams throughout 2020. Sandra will also provide an overview of our recently added testing protocol for PFAS (Perfluoroalkyl) manmade chemicals also called “forever chemicals.” PFAS is an emerging threat to the health of the waterways in the US and in other industrialized countries. Join us for this informative report on your water with a Q&A session at the end. Registration is required.
A Zoom link will be sent to you post-registration.

Having issues joining the session? Please review the Zoom Help Center.
How to Join Zoom Meeting, click here for video tutorial.

FREE Trivia on Zoom
2021-03-06 13:00 - 14:00 | NJ
Registration closes at 11 AM on Sat., March 6! – Scroll down for Zoom technical assistance links.

Ready to challenge yourself and others in a fast-paced thinking game? Our Pub Quiz has gone virtual. Play alone or work together as a household team. Select one person to enter the answers to these multiple-choice questions into your device (phone, iPad, etc.) Play for prizes and bragging rights! If you are playing as a household, simply select one person’s name to enter at registration. Then start brushing up on your water quality and enviro facts.

Questions will range from beginner to expert level. For example:
Q: How long is the Passaic River?

A: 90 miles

Whether you join us as a team or an individual, you are sure to learn a few fact, and have a great time along the way!
(Registration note: you cannot register as a team with other households.) Sign up today to play along, have some fun, and compete for some cool prizes! Zoom link will be shared after you register.

Prizes:
1st Place – Two tickets to GSWA’s 4th Annual Great Swamp Great Music Festival and a cool GSWA Hat
2nd and 3rd Places – A copy of our recently published “GSWA Quarantine Cookbook” (check it out here)

Having issues joining the session? Please review the Zoom Help Center.
How to Join Zoom Meeting, click here for video tutorial.

SOLD OUT: Sunset & Full Moon Hike at Primrose Farm
2021-02-26 17:00 - 19:00 | Primrose Farm (Enter from Barrett Field), Barrett Field, 1413-000460000-000020001-00000, Morristown, NJ, 07960
SORRY, THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT. CHECK BACK FOR MORE HIKE OPPORTUNITIES!

You’ve got to witness this! Experience this unique opportunity to enjoy the winter sky… twice in one evening. As the sun sets, we enjoy a leisurely stroll through the restored wildflower meadow and bid goodnight to the day together. The February full moon, known as the “snow moon” will then light the sky and guide us through the remainder of this relaxing winter hike. And, if there happens to be snow on the ground, we can look for tracks and other signs of the critters who call Primrose Farm home. Dress for the weather and be sure to wear appropriate footwear.

Note: Advance registration is required, space is limited to 8 people. No walk-ins. Also, please “go before you go” as there are no available restrooms at the site.
COVID-19 safety protocols: Programs are offered subject to current advisory status from the Governor’s office. For everyone’s safety, GSWA follows strict safety protocols requiring all participants to wear masks and adhere to social distancing protocols. Anyone experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms or having been in contact with anyone who has recently tested positive, please stay home and join us another day.
Waitlist: If this event is full, please email knecovska@GreatSwamp.org to get your name on the list. Cancellations do happen so don’t miss out.
Cancellations: If you must cancel a reservation, please email knecovska@GreatSwamp.org so we can invite the next person on the waitlist.

DIRECTIONS:
From Rt. 287 take exit 30B N. Maple Ave., Bernardsville
At the light, turn Right on Rt. 202 N.
Travel 1.6 miles to Barrett Field Trail on the right
Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/eXGmkkRpJgs5e2aB8

Cook with GSWA - Quiche & Sangria
2021-02-24 17:00 - 18:00 | NJ
Quiche with Homemade Pie Crust & Sangria
Registration closes at 3 PM on Wed., February 24 so register today!

Missed our first cooking event? Don’t make that mistake twice! Gather your ingredients, grab your apron and laugh along with us as we prepare a quick and easy quiche made with flaky, homemade pie crust. You can also use a store-bought crust – it’s up to you. We’ll toast this delicious meal with a batch of Debbie’s Great Swamp Picnic Sangria. (It’s not just for the summer!)
Join us on this more-fun-than-you’d-expect-to-have-in-the-kitchen Zoom call. We will guide you step-by-step through these three recipes found in our recently published GSWA Quarantine Cookbook (pages 62, 132, & 90.) You do not need to own the cookbook to participate. We will send you the recipe and login details prior to the Zoom call.
You must register to attend this free program. After you register, click here for more info on our unique, illustrated cookbook chock full of recipes for appetizers, adult beverages, quick dinners and more, and to purchase your own copy.

Below are some helpful Zoom links for troubleshooting and to get better familiar with Zoom:
https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/206618765-Zoom-video-tutorials
How to Join Zoom Meeting: https://www.youtube.com/embed/hIkCmbvAHQQ?rel=0&autoplay=1&cc_load_policy=1

SOLD OUT: Virtual Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Tasting
2021-02-12 18:00 - 19:00 | NJ
No matter what is going on in the world, we can all agree that chocolate makes everything just a little bit better. So, let’s call a timeout and discover some new flavors together. The Candy Store of Harding has thoughtfully selected six delectable chocolates for your indulgence at home. As you dig into these sinful delights, learn more about how these tasty morsels are made and enjoy a real-time, how-to demo of one of their most popular treats. Just in time for Valentine’s Day!
Registration closes on Wednesday, February 10 at 4 PM so don’t hesitate – register today! You will receive an email with the Zoom login instructions post-registration.

Chocolate Pick-up Details
The Candy Store of Harding (you must wear a mask to enter the store)
1007 Mt. Kemble Ave., Morristown, NJ
973-425-9600
Pickup Days: Thurs, Feb 11 and Fri, Feb 12
Store Hours: 11 AM – 5 PM

Interested in learning more about Great Swamp Watershed Association and what we do for the environment? Consider becoming a member! Membership support allows us to continue monitoring water quality and educating the public on a healthy watershed and beyond.

At-home Pub Quiz
2021-02-05 18:00 - 19:00 | NJ
Registration closes at 4 PM today! – Scroll down for technical assistance.

Ready to challenge yourself and others in a fast-paced thinking game? Our Pub Quiz has gone virtual. Play alone or work together as a household team. Select one person to enter the answers to these multiple-choice questions into your device (phone, iPad, etc.) Play for prizes and bragging rights! If you are playing as a household, simply select one person’s name to enter at registration. Then start brushing up on your water quality and enviro facts.

Questions will range from beginner to expert level. For example:
Q: How long is the Passaic River?

A: 90 miles
Whether you join us as a team or an individual, you are sure to learn a few fact, and have a great time along the way!
(Registration note: you cannot register as a team with other households.) Sign up today to play along, have some fun, and compete for some cool prizes! Zoom link will be shared after you register.

Prizes:
1st Place – Two tickets to GSWA’s 4th Annual Great Swamp Great Music Festival and a cool GSWA Hat
2nd and 3rd Places – A copy of our recently published “GSWA Quarantine Cookbook” (check it out here)

Having issues joining the session? Please review the Zoom Help Center.
How to Join Zoom Meeting, click here for video tutorial.

Cook with GSWA on Zoom!
2021-01-27 16:00 - 17:00 | NJ
We’re sorry, registration for this event is now closed.
Check out our next Cooking with GSWA taking place on Wed., Feb 24!
If you are already registered and experiencing technical issues, please scroll down for helpful links.
Pumpkin Gnocchi with Sage Butter & Buttermilk Biscuits
Calling all cooks… grab your apron and let’s rattle some pots and pans together! You may have heard we recently published a cookbook of our favorite pandemic recipes. We thought it would be fun to Zoom a meal together just in time for you to share with your family. Step aside Bobby Flay, our resident chefs, Hazel England and Sandra LaVigne, will entertain and teach as they guide you through the recipe from the start to a delicious finished meal. With all of us cooking from home a lot more these days, this is a fun way to do something together while fine-tuning our culinary skills on the “GSWA cooking channel.”
If you have a copy of our GSWA Quarantine Cookbook, you can find the recipes on pages 20 and 78. You do not need to own the cookbook to participate. We will send you the recipe and login details prior to the Zoom call.
You must register to attend. After you register, click here for more info on our unique, illustrated cookbook chock full of appetizer, drink, quick dinner recipes and more, and to purchase your own copy.

Below are some helpful Zoom links for troubleshooting and to get better familiar with Zoom:
https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/206618765-Zoom-video-tutorials
How to Join Zoom Meeting: https://www.youtube.com/embed/hIkCmbvAHQQ?rel=0&autoplay=1&cc_load_policy=1

Enviro Issue on our Doorstep - Rolling Knolls Landfill Superfund
2021-01-14 18:00 - 19:00 | NJ
Registration for this event is closed. If you experience technical difficulties during the call email vthorpe@greatswamp.org

GSWA invites you to catch up on the progress being made by the Rolling Knolls Superfund Community Advisory Group (CAG). Join their next Zoom meeting for:
The introduction of the CAG’s Environmental consultant and a review of their documents (to date)
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s upcoming field investigation
We have posted to our website several EPA documents pursuant to a Freedom of Information Act request HERE – we will continue to upload these documents as they become available.

Join the meeting and get informed!
Login information will be emailed to you after you register to attend.

What is the Rolling Knolls Landfill?
Rolling Knolls landfill is an approximately 200-acre site located in the Green Village section of Chatham Township (35 Britten Rd., Green Village, NJ) which was used as an unlined landfill from the early 1930s through 1968. During its use, it received municipal solid waste, construction and demolition debris. According to the Chatham Board of Health, waste included: tree stumps, scrap metal, tires, household refuse, residential septage waste, and industrial waste. Herbicides and pesticides were used to control weeds, insects and rodents. Oil was applied on facility roadways to control dust. Most of the site is privately held, however, approximately 30 acres are owned by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.
Landfill operations contaminated the soil, sediment, surface water, and groundwater. Contaminants consist of elevated levels of: arsenic, lead, mercury, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), pesticides, phthalates, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), freon compounds, dioxin, and furans.

What is the Current Status?
After many years of investigation, the EPA determined that the site was a threat to people and the environment and the site was placed on the EPA’s National Priorities List for cleanup in 2003. What exactly does this mean?
In 1980, after toxic waste dumps such as Love Canal received national attention and the public learned about the risks to human health and the environment caused by contamination, Congress established the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), more commonly known as Superfund. The Superfund law allows EPA to clean up contaminated sites, including requiring responsible parties to perform the cleanup or pay for it.
Learn more about the superfund process HERE.

What is GSWA’s Role?
Community acceptance is where we, the community, play an important role. GSWA has established a Community Advisory Group (CAG) through the EPA so that everyone’s voices may be heard.
A CAG is made up of representatives with diverse community interests, including residents near the site and who may be impacted by the site, local environmental groups, local government officials, local businesses, and possibly responsible parties. The CAG purpose is to provide a public forum for the community to present and discuss their needs and concerns and to offer input to EPA.
In addition to forming a CAG, we are working with EPA to obtain an independent professional to review and explain information to the community, including the Feasibility Study and proposed cleanup plan, through EPA’s Technical Assistance Services for Communities (TASC) program. The TASC program will provide a technical advisor to help us understand complex environmental information. This will be followed up with a more formal request for a Technical Assistance Grant (TAG). Click HERE to learn more about CAGs and Superfunds.
Since the fight to stop the jetport over 50 years ago, the residents of our local communities have fought to preserve and protect our environment. Let us continue that tradition and ensure that the Rolling Knolls superfund site is restored to protect human health and the environment through ecological revitalization which supports functioning and sustainable habitat.

SOLD OUT: Intermediate Hike at Hedden County Park
2020-12-12 13:00 - 15:00 | Hedden County Park, Use Hawthorne Ave Parking off of Reservoir Ave., Randolph, NJ, 07869, United States
SORRY, THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT.
Looking to get your blood pumping? Join us for an intermediate, winter nature hike through Hedden Park, a beautiful piece of the Morris County Park Commission. Partially paved recreation trails traverse the Wallace Brook and cross Jackson Brook on this challenging hike. We will check out Indian Falls, a scenic point of interest along the Green Trail, and take in the natural beauty of the park. This family-friendly hike is perfect for people of all ages. If you like, bring along a snack and some water in a reusable bottle. Space is limited/registration is required.
Hawthorne Ave Parking: https://goo.gl/maps/YbPFzHrHGXr1ysnB8
Turn onto Hawthorne Ave and park in one of the auxiliary lots down along the road by the picnic area. If you have difficulties finding the location on hike day, contact your hike leader, Adam Palmer, at 908-399-5610.
