GSWA

2025 Gala & Silent Auction
2025-10-23 18:00 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | Brooklake Country Club, 139 Brooklake Road, Florham Park, NJ, 07932
Online tickets are no longer available. You may purchase your tickets directly at the Gala.
The Online Silent Auction is LIVE!
CLICK HERE
to browse this year’s incredible selection, whether you will be attending the Gala or will be shopping from home!
Fabulous new items will be added daily leading up to the Gala so check back often!

Great Swamp Watershed Association’s 2025 Green Carpet Gala
You’re invited to a night of glitz, glamour, and giving back to the environment at Great Swamp Watershed Association’s 2025 Green Carpet Gala.
Our annual Gala and Silent Auction takes place on Thursday, October 23, 2025 at the Brooklake Country Club in Florham Park, NJ. It is sure to be an exciting evening honoring and roasting some of our watershed’s biggest stars.
Get ready to walk the green carpet and shine a spotlight on a healthier future for our watershed!
Details
Thursday, October 23, 2025
Brooklake Country Club | 139 Brooklake Rd, Florham Park, NJ
5:00-6:00 PM
VIP Cocktail Reception
6:00-7:00 PM
General Cocktail Reception & Silent Auction
7:00-9:30 PM
Dinner and Awards Ceremony
9:29 PM
Silent Auction Closes
Gala in-person winners may collect their items that evening
Online winners should pick theirs up at GSWA Headquarters beginning on October 27.
ALL PURCHASES MUST BE PICKED UP BY DECEMBER 1, 2025.
Scroll to the bottom of this page to purchase tickets (online ticket sales end October 21 at 11:59 PM)

Great Swamp Watershed Association is excited to honor Julia Somers, a lifelong advocate for the environment and GSWA’s first-ever executive director.
Julia has been the executive director of the New Jersey Highlands Coalition since the launch of the organization in 2006. Julia is also a board member of the Pinchot Institute of Conservation, the New Jersey Environmental Lobby, and United Parks as One of Newark. She was a founding trustee of the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters and served as Chair of their Board for several years. She is a public member of the New Jersey State Planning Commission and serves as a member of Harding Township’s Board of Health and its Open Space Trust.

Chris Gethard is a comedian, podcaster, and writer who hails from the great state of New Jersey. He hosts the podcast Beautiful/Anonymous, which Time Magazine has hailed as one of the greatest 100 podcasts of all time and referred to as a “master class in empathy, compassion, and kindness.”
He wrote and performed the critically praised show Career Suicide on HBO in 2017. He also hosted his experimental talk show The Chris Gethard Show for three years on cable. On top of that, he’s acted in shows like The Office, Broad City, and Parks and Recreation, as well as movies like Anchorman 2, The Other Guys, The Heat, and Don’t Think Twice. Of particular interest to New Jersey residents, he was heavily featured in the HBO documentary Class Action Park, talking about New Jersey’s most infamous water park. Chris has toured all over the world as a stand-up comedian and authored six books.

Put their money where your mouth is:
The GSWA Gala Plant-Based Challenge is back!
A group of GSWA supporters* has pledged to donate $90 to GSWA for every vegan meal served at the Gala.
Vegan chef and wellness expert, Leslie Durso, thoughtfully crafted the Gala’s plant-based meal.

CHOOSING THE VEGAN OPTION AT THE GLA PROMOTES A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT & BENEFITS GSWA AT THE SAME TIME!
SAVE WATER. Opting for the plant-based meal at the Gala saves 600–1,000 gallons of water versus the steak option. (source)
Producing one pound of beef requires 2,000–8,000 gallons of water, and one gallon of cow’s milk requires 1,950 gallons. (source)
PROMOTE CLEAN WATER. Animal feed and livestock agriculture accounts for over 50% of all freshwater pollution. (source)
REDUCE EMISSIONS. Animal agriculture accounts for 14.5% of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions, more than all transportation categories combined. (source)
*The Vegan Challenge is proudly sponsored by Cold Brook Farm in Oldwick, the Bernardsville Centre, and a group of anonymous donors.

Advertising & Silent Auction Donation Opportunities:
Click below to learn more!
Underwriter Opportunities (click to expand)
GSWA Non-Profit Tax ID: 22-2403906

Advertising Opportunities (click to expand)
Advertise your business.
Elevate your brand by advertising at the Gala and receive prominent brand exposure before and throughout the event. Add a Customer Appreciation Gift Package to thank your clients or friends and show your support of GSWA. See below for options.
GALA CUSTOMER APPRECIATION ADVERTISER (Four Options)
Your customers are the heart and soul of your business. Place a Gala advertisement and send a big “thank you!” with a Customer Appreciation Gift Package (delivered within 30 miles of Morristown, NJ).
GSWA will deliver these packages on your behalf prior to the Gala:
CUSTOMER APPRECIATION WINE PACKAGE (2 PACKAGES — $500 / 5 PACKAGES— $1000)
Includes one bottle each of high quality red & white wine.
GOURMET OLIVE OIL AND VINEGAR PACKAGE (2 PACKAGES — $500 / 5 PACKAGES— $1000)
Includes one bottle each of artisanal olive oil & balsamic vinegar.
In addition, your company’s advertisement will be prominently displayed throughout the event and on the GSWA website as a supporter of our mission. This extends visibility for your business to a greater audience outside of the 2025 Gala celebration.

GALA ADVERTISER – $250 (Advertise Only)
Your company’s advertisement will be strategically displayed throughout the event and on GSWA’s website as a supporter of our mission. This extends visibility for your business to a greater audience outside of the 2025 Gala celebration.

Click here for advertiser registration.
Deadline: October 18, 2025.
GSWA Non-Profit Tax ID: 22-2403906

Donate to Our Silent Auction (click to expand)
Donate to our silent auction.
Our online silent auction has a great reputation! Your donation is an opportunity to promote your business to people near and far while demonstrating your commitment to clean water and a healthy environment. The auction goes live October 16 and is visited by hundreds of enthusiastic bidders!
Click here to donate to the silent auction.
Form deadline: October 18, 2025.
GSWA Non-Profit Tax ID: 22-2403906

2025 Silent Auction
The 2025 GSWA Silent Auction is LIVE!
Click here to browse this year’s incredible selection, whether you will be attending the Gala or will be shopping from home!

Questions? Reach out to Izzy at (973) 538-3500 or ifilippini@greatswamp.org
Cannot attend but wish to support GSWA and the environment?
Click here to donate in lieu of attending.

Thank you to our generous Gala Underwriters!
Bald Eagle
New Jersey American Water & Atlantic Health
Black Bear
Adrienne & Reed Auerbach, BASF Corporation, Dixon Energy, Agi & Matt Krauser, PSEG & Valley Bank
Thank you to our Gala Advertisers
BCB Bank, Blue Foundary Bank, Bucco/Dunn/Barranco, Chatham Print & Design, Country Mile Gardens, EAB Insurance, Garden State Laboratories, Inc., GEI Consultants, Herold Law, P.A., Jaeger Lumber & Supply, Liberty Payroll, McKirdy, Riskin, Olson & DellaPelle, P.C., Morristown Lumber, Preferred Financial Partners, LLC, Smarties, Stirling Fine Wines, TeamLogic IT, The Shakespeare Theater of NJ, The Tile Lady Design by Christine, Toyota/Subaru of Morristown, Turpin Realtors, Gerry-Jo Cranmer/Turpin Realtors, & VoiceNEXT

Fall Migration Hike
2025-11-01 09:30 - 11:30 | Garret Mountain Reservation, Lambert Castle Parking Lot, 3 Valley Rd., Paterson, NJ, 07424, United States
We have a few open spots, so this hike is now open to non-members as well!
Come out to enjoy the tail-end of bird migration (pun-intended!). On our hike we cover roughly 3 miles of trails with some elevation change. On our way, we may catch some late fall migrants including sharp-shinned hawks, northern harriers, black and turkey vultures, and if we are lucky, maybe even a golden eagle!

Please email Izzy (ifilippini@greatswamp.org) with questions or cancellations. Ticket sales end on 10/31/2025 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.

Veteran's Day Paddle (AM)
2025-11-11 09:30 - 11:00 | Somerset County Park Commission, Fisherman’s Parking Lot, Approx. 170 Lord Stirling Road, Basking Ridge, NJ
Come out and enjoy the beautiful fall foliage along the banks of the Passaic River as we paddle the headwaters region of the Great Swamp. This area is full of wildlife, native vegetation and beautiful views.
Children 8 and up are welcome. All participants 15 and under must be accompanied by a parent. There are only 7 spots available – 2 spots/registration max. 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 put-in location is the Livingston Canoe Launch, and we will paddle from there.

Please email Izzy ifilippini@greatswamp.org 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.

Sold Out: Veteran's Day Paddle (PM)
2025-11-11 12:00 - 13:30 | Somerset County Park Commission, Fisherman’s Parking Lot, Approx. 170 Lord Stirling Road, Basking Ridge, NJ
This event is sold out. Please email Izzy at ifilippini@greatswamp to be added to the waitlist. If you have registered and must cancel, please email Izzy so we may contact the next person on the waitlist.

Come out and enjoy the beautiful fall foliage along the banks of the Passaic River as we paddle the headwaters region of the Great Swamp. This area is full of wildlife, native vegetation and beautiful views.
Children 8 and up are welcome. All participants 15 and under must be accompanied by a parent. There are only 7 spots available – 2 spots/registration max. 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 put-in location is the Livingston Canoe Launch, and we will paddle from there.

Please email Izzy ifilippini@greatswamp.org 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.

Breakfast Briefing: Mussels of the Great Swamp
2025-11-20 08:00 - 09:30 | Great Swamp Watershed Association HQ, 568 Tempe Wick Rd, Morristown, NJ, 07960, United States
Meet the Mussels of the Great Swamp
They might look like humble rocks, but freshwater mussels are the silent powerhouses of our local waterways. New Jersey is home to twelve native species of mussels, each serving as a vital indicator of river and stream health.
Join us for a light breakfast and a fascinating deep dive into the world of these incredible creatures. Alex Sloane, GSWA’s Water Quality and Education Associate, will share how mussels survive, the threats they face, and what we’re doing to protect them — plus how you can help make a difference, too! 💚
Space is limited, and registration is required. Enjoy a light breakfast prior to the start of the presentation.
GSWA Members: Free | Non-member Adults: $10 | Non-member Children: $5 | Grab a $40 Family Membership for free admission and other great perks!
Please email Izzy at ifilippini@greatswamp.org 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 canceled due to severe weather or other unforeseen circumstances, 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 as soon as possible. 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.

Pre-Thanksgiving Day CMA Cleanup
2025-11-23 09:00 - 13:00 | Great Swamp Watershed Association’s CMA, 1 Tiger Lily Ln, Morristown, NJ, 07960, United States
This is a great opportunity to preemptively give back before Thanksgiving! We could use your help putting our 73-acre wetlands reserve to bed for the winter. At the Conservation Management Area (CMA) there’s no shortage of things to accomplish on our honey-do list. We need to mulch and edge our trails, haul out old boardwalk lumber, clean up our seating areas, and more. A crisp, autumn morning is a fabulous time to get outside and get your hands dirty. We will provide you with all the tools you need to participate for as long as you like!

SOLD OUT: Make a Winter Wreath Workshop (Session 1)
2025-12-01 17:00 - 18:30 | Great Swamp Watershed Association HQ, 568 Tempe Wick Rd, Morristown, NJ, 07960, United States
THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT! Please email Izzy at ifilippini@greatswamp.org to be added to the waitlist.
Session 1: 5-6:30 PM
It’s not winter until the wreath is on the door. Come craft a homemade winter wreath made from native evergreens and other native plants. You’ll decorate your masterpiece with pinecones, berries, and other items found in nature. While your creativity blossoms, you’ll learn more about the natural items being used in this craft. You will leave with a finished piece that’s ready to hang on your door or give as a gift!

Please email Izzy at ifilippini@greatswamp.org 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.

SOLD OUT: Make a Winter Wreath Workshop (Session 2)
2025-12-01 19:00 - 20:30 | Great Swamp Watershed Association HQ, 568 Tempe Wick Rd, Morristown, NJ, 07960, United States
THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT! Please email Izzy at ifilippini@greatswamp.org to be added to the waitlist.
Session 2: 7-8:30 PM
It’s not winter until the wreath is on the door. Come craft a homemade winter wreath made from native evergreens and other native plants. You’ll decorate your masterpiece with pinecones, berries, and other items found in nature. While your creativity blossoms, you’ll learn more about the natural items being used in this craft. You will leave with a finished piece that’s ready to hang on your door or give as a gift!

Please email Izzy ifilippini@greatswamp.org 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.

Breakfast Briefing: Climate Disaster Relief
2025-12-09 08:00 - 09:30 | Great Swamp Watershed Association HQ, 568 Tempe Wick Rd, Morristown, NJ, 07960, United States
Climate change is one of the biggest threats we face today, often hitting our most vulnerable neighbors hardest. At this month’s Breakfast Briefing, Theresa Markila from Mutual Morris will discuss the threats to all our communities as climate change intensifies, explore how other communities have prepared and rebuilt after natural disasters, and share what Mutual Morris is doing to prepare locally.
Learn how to get involved, prepare for potential future disasters, and build the skills and networks to weather any storm!
Enjoy a light breakfast prior to the start of the presentation.
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: Theresa Markila is a member of Mutual Morris, a community-driven organization focused on building relationships and resilient, joyful communities.

Please email Izzy (ifilippini@greatswamp.org) with questions or cancellations. Ticketing closes on December 8 at 12:00 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.

Winter Hike at Jockey Hollow
2025-12-13 10:00 - 12:00 | Jockey Hollow Visitor Center, 600 Tempe Wick Rd, Morristown, NJ, 07960
Join us for a fun and informative nature hike through Jockey Hollow before the holiday rush begins! This family-friendly adventure will take you through a potentially snowy forest where we’ll look for animal tracks and discover where they lead. We’ll learn about how local wildlife survives the winter, their activities, and how they prepare for the spring thaw. This is a great opportunity for budding nature enthusiasts of all ages to meet others and learn some cool facts about the environment. Be sure to dress for the weather and wear waterproof boots. You might also want to bring a snack and water.
Get tickets below: GSWA Member (Adult) $10 | Non-member (Adult) $15 | Child $5
Eco Pro Tip: Grab a discounted GSWA Family Membership for just $40 and unlock member rates for this program and the next 12 months. It’s an easy way to support GSWA’s mission and enjoy all the member benefits.

Please email Izzy (ifilippini@greatswamp.org) with questions or cancellations. Ticketing closes on December 12th 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.

Nature Detectives Hike
2026-01-11 10:00 - 12:00 | Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge – Orange Trailhead, approx 77 Meyersville Rd., Green Village (Harding Township), NJ, 07935, United States
What’s hiding on the forest floor? What’s going on in the trees? Let’s do some detective work and make some discoveries together!
The Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is the perfect place to learn how to identify animals from their tracks, scats (yes, poop) and other clues. Spy on secret hideouts used by birds, insects, and other woodland creatures. Discover the dining preferences of deer, raccoons, and even coyotes by putting a magnifying glass to some scat. All this detective work is easier than you think. And let’s face it, it’s fun being outdoors in the summer!
Recommended for all, but especially children 5 to 12 years old accompanied by an adult. We will meet at the head of the Orange Trail at the end of Meyersville Rd., Green Village. The lot is small, so please consider carpooling and be mindful when parking.
This event is free for our GSWA members. For non-members, a suggested $10 donation for adults and $5 for children 6-17 is appreciated.
