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Spring Ephemeral Hike

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

Celebrate spring at our Conservation Management Area with our spring ephemerals: woodland wildflowers that bloom before the forest canopy fills in. Come walk with naturalist Ginger Van Ryzin to see trout lilies, mayapples, anemone and more! 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 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.

Get Tickets $10.00 – $15.00

Stream Assessment Training – FREE

Summit Free Public Library 75 Maple Street, Summit, NJ

Unless 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, consider becoming a stream monitoring volunteer! Tools and supplies will be provided. It gets a little messy so wear your boots and bring clean shoes to change into afterward. Preferred volunteers are 15 or older. This free training session is held in conjunction with the AmeriCorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassador Program.

Get Tickets Free
EARTH MONTH 414 Breakfast Briefing

Breakfast Briefing: Grassroots Action & Making a Meaningful Impact

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

Make Your Voice Count This Earth Month 🌍 Care about clean water and healthy lands, not sure how to turn that into action? We’ve got you. This Earth Month (and during GSWA’s 45th year of grassroots impact), join us for a casual, hands-on breakfast briefing focused on real ways to make a difference locally. GSWA Executive Director Bill Kibler will show you how to reach out to local and state leaders, speak up with confidence, and advocate for the places you love—no experience required. Whether you’re brand new to advocacy or ready to level up, you’ll leave with tools you can use right away. Just bring your phone. Spots are limited. Registration 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 (and future briefings) for free—plus enjoy member-only events, discounts, and more while supporting the long-term protection of the Great Swamp Watershed and the Passaic River. Questions or need to cancel? Email Izzy at [email protected]. Ticketing closes on 4/13 at 4:00 PM. Cancellation Policy: Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA) makes every effort to assure all programs and events take place […]

Get Tickets Free – $40.00

GSWA 2025 Water Quality Report Card — Free!

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

Join us for an evening presentation of the 2025 Passaic River Water Quality Report Card. This is the place to learn about the state of the water throughout the Great Swamp Watershed and the Upper Passaic River.  Sandra LaVigne, GSWA Director of Water Quality Programs, and our dedicated Stream Team of Citizen Scientists collect water quality data throughout the year to determine the health of our riverine ecosystems and the state of the water.  This data forms the core of our water quality report and guides GSWA as we work together with state, county and municipal agencies as well as our local community members to protect and improve our streams. Here's what you'll learn: Assessments based on the combined data from visual, chemical, and biological assessments from each of our 21 sampling sites Information about PFAS in our stream water and the new EPA Regulations on PFAS in drinking water History and issues facing our streams, including our newest stretch of the Passaic River from Little Falls to Garfield. This is your chance to: Get informed about the state of our water. Ask questions and have your water quality concerns addressed by an expert. Become part of the solution for […]

Get Tickets Free – $40.00

The Chathams & Madison Town-Wide Yard Sale Spring 2026

Yard Sale Registration Info: Registration Fee: $10 tax-deductible donation to benefit Great Swamp Watershed Association. **You must be a resident of Chatham Township, Chatham Borough, or Madison to list your sale. One person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Now is the time to start checking your closets, basement, and garage for those hidden treasures and prepare to host a yard sale at this community event. Scroll to the bottom of this page to register and 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 in local media and on town sites to potential shoppers far and wide. Frequently Asked Questions:  Who do I contact with questions?  Please direct all questions to the Environmental Commission of The Chathams and Madison at [email protected] 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, NY, and PA. We promote the sale (and the map) in local media and on popular garage sale sites. Do I need to pay a permit fee? No. The permit fee for this event has been waived for residents of Madison […]

Get Tickets $10.00

Session 1: Spring Birding Paddle

Somerset County Park Commission, Fisherman's Parking Lot Approx. 170 Lord Stirling Road, Basking Ridge, NJ

Come out and enjoy the sights along the beautiful banks of the Passaic River as we paddle the headwaters region of the Great Swamp and look out for spring migrants. This area is full of wildlife, native vegetation, and beautiful views. There are 7 spots available per session – only 2 spots per registration. Children 8 and up are welcome. All participants 15 and under must be accompanied by a parent.  All participants must be able to swim, be comfortable on the water, and wear clothes and footwear that can (and will) get wet and muddy. Life vests will be provided. IMPORTANT – Kayak Waiver: Each participant MUST submit one of the forms below. If the person is under the age of 18, a parent or guardian must sign their form and assume responsibility for the minor. Please complete, sign and bring the form(s) with you. The organizers will collect completed forms before put-in. Adult Attendee Minor Attendee The GSWA kayaks, used in our water quality and educational programming, were purchased with the generous funding provided by the Thomas Glasser Foundation. The meet up location is the Somerset County Park Commission Fisherman's Parking Lot. Please email Izzy [email protected] with questions or […]

Get Tickets $30.00 – $70.00

Session 2: Spring Birding Paddle

Somerset County Park Commission, Fisherman's Parking Lot Approx. 170 Lord Stirling Road, Basking Ridge, NJ

Come out and enjoy the sights along the beautiful banks of the Passaic River as we paddle the headwaters region of the Great Swamp and look out for spring migrants. This area is full of wildlife, native vegetation, and beautiful views. There are 7 spots available per session – only 2 spots per registration. Children 8 and up are welcome. All participants 15 and under must be accompanied by a parent.  All participants must be able to swim, be comfortable on the water, and wear clothes and footwear that can (and will) get wet and muddy. Life vests will be provided. IMPORTANT – Kayak Waiver: Each participant MUST submit one of the forms below. If the person is under the age of 18, a parent or guardian must sign their form and assume responsibility for the minor. Please complete, sign and bring the form(s) with you. The organizers will collect completed forms before put-in. Adult Attendee Minor Attendee The GSWA kayaks, used in our water quality and educational programming, were purchased with the generous funding provided by the Thomas Glasser Foundation. The meet up location is the Somerset County Park Commission Fisherman's Parking Lot. lease email Izzy [email protected] with questions or […]

Get Tickets $30.00 – $70.00
Full Moon Hike at the Refuge

Blue Moon Hike at the Refuge

Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge - Bluebird Parking Lot Bluebird Parking Lot, Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, NJ, United States

Experience the Great Swamp like never before under the rare glow of a Blue Moon. While the moon won't actually change color, this celestial event occurs when a single calendar month—in this case, May 2026—features two full moons instead of one. Because the lunar cycle is approximately 29.5 days, the timing occasionally "laps" our 31-day months, giving us a "bonus" full moon that only appears once every two to three years. We’ll explore the vibrant nocturnal world of the swamp—listening for the chorus of cicadas and spring peepers, watching for the silhouettes of owls, and soaking in the serene atmosphere of the marsh after dark. It’s a unique opportunity to connect with the watershed during a truly "once in a blue moon" moment. 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 […]

Get Tickets Free – $40.00

Nature Journaling Hike

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

Nature journaling is a centuries-old practice used to record observations, changes and data about the world around us. It is also a way to build observational and relational thinking and curiosity. We will wander through the CMA, pausing several times to collect our observations, questions, and connections in our notebooks. Through prompts and practices, we will deepen our awareness of the natural world and let our own curiosity guide our observations. You do not need to be an artist or a naturalist to enjoy nature journaling, you just have to be willing to slow down and take a look around! No previous artistic experience required. Adults - includes journal notebook, art supplies provided. 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 do so ASAP. Cancellations made less than 48 hours in advance will not be refunded unless it is due […]

Get Tickets $20.00 – $60.00

Volunteer Opportunity: Stewardship Friday July 10

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

Ready to get your hands dirty in the swamp? Need community service hours? College students—are you looking for something meaningful to add to your resume? Join us on Friday 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 the following tasks: Chipping and mulching our trail networks Removing invasive plants Building new boardwalks which allow hikers to get through flooded areas Clearing branches and limbs from recent storms 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. Summer 2026 Stewardship Friday schedule: July 10 July 17 July 24 July 31

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