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Breakfast Briefing: Bird-Friendly Yards in Winter

Zoom Webinar Morristown, NJ, United States

Create a Haven for Birds This Winter Watching birds in your yard can transform long winter days into moments of calm, connection, and purpose. Join us as Bridget Daley shares simple, thoughtful choices that make a meaningful difference for birds when food and shelter are hardest to find. During this program, Bridget will offer practical steps anyone can take to help restore natural balance and protect birds in your yard and community. You'll learn about the safest outdoor decorations, how to create natural winter bird feeders using native plants, smart adjustments to outdoor lighting, and more. Enjoy Bridget's presentation, where she'll explore why protecting wild birds matters and how to create spaces that are both beautiful and wildlife-safe. Registration is required. Get tickets below: GSWA Members are Free | Non-members $10 (Adult) and $5 (Child) Eco Pro Tip: Purchase a discounted annual GSWA Family Membership today to attend this program for free! About the Presenter: Bridget Daley has been an avid gardener for more than 20 years and proudly calls herself a native plant nerd. She is a certified Rutgers Environmental Steward and has served on the Madison Environmental Commission since 2019. IMPORTANT: Due to recent snowfall, this event will be […]

Free – $40.00

Light Pollution: An Overview

The Library of the Chathams 214 main St, Chatham Township, New Jersey

Light pollution is practically ubiquitous, yet for most it goes unnoticed each night. Artificial light has creeped into our yards and forest, disrupting circadian rhythms of wildlife, plants, and us humans. Nocturnal animals, who have evolved to thrive in dark conditions, no longer have the upper hand against their prey. Trees and other plants growing under the glow of streetlights are shown to be less resilient than those given a nights rest. Even people need natural darkness to reset, and with studies finding those who live in excess of light pollution can higher rates of depression, diabetes, and more. At times the solution can be as easy as switching off the lights, but in our fast-paced society that is not always an option. Join Great Swamp Watershed Association's Ginger Van Ryzin to learn what exactly is light pollution, its effects on the flora and fauna, and what we can do to protect our ecosystems against it. Sponsored by the Environmental Commission of Chatham Borough, Chatham Township and Madison. Location: Lundt Room at Library of the Chathams Registration required! Note: Registration ends February 5 at 3:00pm.

Free

Breakfast Briefing: Intro to NJ Backyard Bird ID

Kemmerer Library 19 Blue Mill Rd, Morristown, New Jersey

Location Change! Our Intro to Bird ID Breakfast Briefing is now at Kemmerer Library 🐦 Become a backyard bird extraordinaire at GSWA's intro to bird ID breakfast briefing! Who's that at your bird feeder? What was that flash of red in the tree?  Come and join GSWA staff to learn the basics of birding in your own back yard.  Grab a bite to eat and learn how to identify common backyard birds from the warmth of the Kemmerer Library (which is about 5 minutes up the road from our HQ).  In this fun, interactive, breakfast briefing you will learn some basic strategies for how to identify those common backyard birds.  No experience necessary!  This class is designed for the beginner, but we welcome experienced birds as well. If the weather permits, after the class, you are invited to stay for a short excursion outside our office to put your new skills to use.  We have binoculars to lend out.  Space is limited, and registration is required. Get tickets below: GSWA Members are Free | Non-members $10 (Adult) and $5 (Child) Eco Pro Tip: Purchase a discounted annual GSWA Family Membership today to attend this program for free! Purchase a Wooden […]

Free – $40.00

Plant for Pollinators Webinar #2: Creating Native Bee Habitat Islands

Zoom Webinar NJ, United States

If you can’t tell a fuzzy bumblebee from a miner bee and aren’t really sure what “buzz pollination” is, Rutgers ecologist Dr. Kim Russell will help you get to know the native bees in your yard–and what kinds of habitats they need. Learn how to create “pollinator ports” or islands of habitat that provide more than just flowers. Dr. Russell will share  current research backed recommendations. You’ll come away with a new appreciation for the diversity of these critically important and fascinating insects and concrete steps to take in your yards to bolster habitat for native pollinators.   Webinar is free; suggested donation is $10. Registration closes at 5 PM the day of each webinar. Important -- Zoom Link: A Zoom link will be emailed to registrants at 5:00pm the day before the webinar and again by 5:30pm day-of. Please add [email protected] to your email contacts to avoid it being sent to your spam folder. If you don’t see it in your inbox or spam folder by 6pm the day of the webinar, please email [email protected]. The webinar is recorded, and all registrants will receive the replay link within 2 business days of the end of the webinar.  Mark your calendar: […]

Free – $40.00

SOLD OUT: Winter Tree ID Hike

Primrose Farm (Enter from Barrett Field) Barrett Field, 1413-000460000-000020001-00000, Morristown, NJ

This event is sold out. Please email [email protected] to be added to the wait list. Tree species can be tricky to identify, especially in the winter. Join GSWA's own naturalist Ginger Van Ryzin as she shows the tips and tricks to winter tree identification and enjoy a leisurely stroll through the restored wildflower meadow of Harding Land Trust's Primrose Farm. Warm clothing and waterproof footwear, especially hiking boots, are strongly recommended. Directions: Primrose Farm (see below for google map - click the + to zoom in and see details) Please email Izzy ([email protected]) with questions or cancellations. Ticket sales end on 2/6/2026 at 3:00 PM. CANCELLATION POLICY: Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA) makes every effort to assure all programs and events go off as planned. Should an event be cancelled due to severe weather or other unexpected reasons, GSWA will promptly notify all registrants via email and the event page will reflect the status. To accommodate people on the waitlist, participants needing to cancel should do so ASAP. Cancellations made less than 48 hours in advance will not be refunded unless it is due to a health emergency. Unused registration fees may be converted into a tax-deductible donation.

$5.00 – $40.00

SOLD OUT: Worm Moon Hike at the Refuge

Helen Fenske Visitor Center 32 Pleasant Plains Rd, New Vernon, NJ, United States

LOCATION CHANGE: This hike has moved to the White Oak Trail at the Helen Fenske Visitors Center in Basking Ridge. This event is sold out. Please email [email protected] to be added to the wait list. Join GSWA in nature for a hike under the last full moon of the winter! The worm moon signals the end of winter; as the ground begins to slowly thaw, the worms and larvae begin to emerge. Come out and explore the forest with GSWA's Ginger Van Ryzin as spring begins to approach. 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. IMPORTANT -- WAIVER: Per our special use permit, the refuge is asking for the hike participants to fill out a liability form before attending. Please complete and email this form to [email protected] when you register for this hike.  Please email Izzy ([email protected]) with questions or cancellations. Ticket sales end on 3/2/2026 at 3:00 PM. CANCELLATION POLICY: Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA) makes every effort to assure all programs and events go off as planned. Should an event be cancelled due to severe weather or other unexpected reasons, […]

Sold Out Free – $40.00

National Plant a Flower Day Plant & Sip

Great Swamp Watershed Association HQ 568 Tempe Wick Rd, Morristown, NJ, United States

Think Spring!  March 12 is National Plant a Flower Day. So come get your hands dirty with GSWA at a  "plant & sip" party that is all about the beauty of our local native flowers. We’re turning our HQ into a floral workshop for the evening. You'll fashion and decorate your own flower pots, learn about soil, plant seeds, and more. Throughout the evening, enjoy a variety of floral-themed cocktails, mocktails, and botanical bites. It wouldn’t be a GSWA party without a pub quiz, so bring your best native plant knowledge and compete for prizes! This event is free for all non-members! GSWA members, your admission is also free when you bring a non-member guest. Otherwise, individual member attendance is $25. Spots are limited, so be sure to reserve your spot today! Please email Izzy [email protected] with questions or cancellations. CANCELLATION POLICY: Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA) makes every effort to assure all programs and events go off as planned. Should an event be cancelled due to severe weather or other unexpected reasons, GSWA will promptly notify all registrants via email and the event page will reflect the status. To accommodate people on the waitlist, participants needing to cancel should […]

Get Tickets Free – $25.00

Volunteer: CMA Community Spring Cleanup

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

The swamp is calling! Need community service hours? College students—are you looking for something meaningful to add to your resume? Kick off the season at the GSWA Conservation Management Area (CMA) in Harding Township to help us steward the land. We could really use your help getting our CMA tidied up by helping us with a spring cleaning and preparing the CMA for the season.  Be sure to wear long pants, long sleeves, and hiking boots or sturdy old shoes you don’t mind getting muddy. Bring a hat and a reusable water bottle. We will provide bug spray, sunscreen, gloves, snacks, and all the tools you need. What better way to spend a Saturday morning? We’ll see you there! Registration is required!

Get Tickets Free

SOLD OUT: Vernal Pool Exploration Hike

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

THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT. TO BE ADDED TO THE WAITLIST, PLEASE EMAIL [email protected]   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. Please email Izzy [email protected] with questions or cancellations. CANCELLATION POLICY: Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA) makes every effort to assure all programs and events go off as planned. Should an event be cancelled due to severe weather or other unexpected reasons, GSWA will promptly notify all registrants […]

Sold Out $10.00 – $40.00

Plant for Pollinators Webinar #3: Get Ready to Shop with GSWA’s Hazel England

Zoom Webinar NJ, United States

The plant sale opens at noon, April 1. What should you plant where–and what pollinators  will your plants attract? Join GSWA’s Director of Education and Stewardship  for an in-depth look at the 43 native perennials on this year’s  list, including bulk and specialty groundcovers. Hazel will talk through five carefully curated kits suitable for  all types of yard conditions. She’ll  focus on site preparation and help you shop with the “right plant right place mindset.” Webinar is free; suggested donation is $10. Registration closes at 5 PM the day of each webinar. Important -- Zoom Link: A Zoom link will be emailed to registrants at 5:00pm the day before the webinar and again by 5:30pm day-of. Please add [email protected] to your email contacts to avoid it being sent to your spam folder. If you don’t see it in your inbox or spam folder by 6pm the day of the webinar, please email [email protected]. The webinar is recorded, and all registrants will receive the replay link within 2 business days of the end of the webinar.  Mark your calendar: The 2026 Plant for Pollinators sale runs online April 1-21 with pickup at a wide variety of regional locations on May 2-3.

Get Tickets Free – $40.00