Movie Night at GSWA – ‘Saving the Great Swamp: The Battle to Defeat the Jetport’

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

Movie & Popcorn at GSWA Join us for an inspiring evening as we screen the movie Saving The Great Swamp: Battle to Defeat the Jetport. This powerful environmental documentary, narrated by American actress and Tony Award winner Blythe Danner, recounts the nearly decade-long grassroots fight—beginning in 1959—when local residents stood up against the Port Authority of New York and their plans to build a massive jetport on a little-known natural area in Morris County, NJ. Thanks to their determination, that land was preserved and is now the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. Imagine what our local towns, wetlands area and cherished wildlife might look like today if this community initiative had not succeeded. Whether it’s your first time watching or a return visit, this film is sure to inspire. Before the screening, you’ll even have the chance to meet members of the film’s production team—longtime friends of GSWA. With sunset at 7:00 PM, we’ll be showing the film outdoors on the driveway, so bring along camp chairs or blankets for a cozy viewing. Rain or shine, the event will go on—moving indoors if the weather doesn’t cooperate. Admission is free for GSWA members. Non-member tickets are $10 for adults and […]

Get Tickets Free – $40.00

SOLD OUT: Evening Hike at the Refuge

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

This event is sold out! Please email Izzy at ifilippini@greatswamp.org to be added to the waitlist. October is a special time to hike at the Refuge. It's prime season for fall bird migration and we can observe them settling in as the sun sets. Meanwhile, other critters are just becoming active after dark. We will look and listen for raccoons, foxes, mice, and perhaps even the endangered Indiana bat. While the frogs and toads serenade us with their calls, with a flashlight, we might spot species like spring peepers, bullfrogs, and various snakes and turtles. A $15 donation per person is appreciated. Registration is required. 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 […]

Sold Out Free – $15.00

Stream Assessment Training – FREE

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

As our planet faces the challenges of climate change, it's more important than ever to connect with our environment. Join us for this free training workshop and discover how to become a stream health advocate. We'll start indoors learning the basics of stream monitoring. Then, we'll head to our 73-acre Conservation Management Area (CMA) for a hands-on experience. (You must have your own transportation to travel between the sites.) By the end of the day, you'll be fully trained and equipped to assess the health of local streams and contribute to environmental conservation! Training begins 10am @ GSWA's HQ: 568 Tempe Wick Road, Morristown Training continues @ GSWA's CMA: 1 Tiger Lily Ln., Harding Twp. (~5 minute drive) 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. Registration is required.  

Sunset Paddle

Essex County Environmental Center 621 Eagle Rock Ave, Roseland, NJ

Ease into your weekend with a leisurely paddle on the Passaic River. As you experience the sunset from the water, you may also be visited by some great blue heron, turtles, and other wildlife that uses the stream corridor as habitat and migration route. Children 8 and up are welcome. All participants 15 and under must be accompanied by a parent. There are 5 spots available – 2 spot max per registration. 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. 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 Essex County Environmental Center. 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 […]

Sold Out $30.00 – $40.00

The Chathams & Madison Town-Wide Yard Sale Fall 2025

REGISTRATION CLOSES THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16 @ 12 NOON. 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. Keeping these items out of the dump is great for the environment for so many reasons! Scroll to the bottom of this page to register and 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 in local media and on town sites to potential shoppers far and wide. Yard Sale Registration Info: Registration Fee: $10 tax-deductible donation to benefit Great Swamp Watershed Association. NOTE: You must be a resident of Chatham Township, Chatham Borough, or Madison to list your sale.   Frequently Asked Questions:  Who do I contact with questions?  Please direct all questions to the Environmental Commission of The Chathams and Madison at MEC@rosenet.org 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 […]

2025 Gala & Silent Auction

Brooklake Country Club 139 Brooklake Road, Florham Park, NJ

Great Swamp Watershed Association's 2025 Green Carpet Gala You're invited to a night of glitz, glamour, and giving back! Mark your calendars for Great Swamp Watershed Association's 2025 Green Carpet Gala. Our annual Gala Celebration 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 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 Scroll to the bottom of this page to purchase tickets. 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 […]

Get Tickets $125.00 – $2,500.00

Members Only Fall Migration Hike

Garret Mountain Reservation Lambert Castle Parking Lot, 3 Valley Rd., Paterson, NJ, United States

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! This event is for GSWA members ONLY!  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.

Get Tickets Free – $40.00

Veteran’s Day Paddle (AM)

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 […]

Get Tickets $30.00 – $40.00

Breakfast Briefing: Mussels of the Great Swamp

Great Swamp Watershed Association HQ 568 Tempe Wick Rd, Morristown, NJ, 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 12 native species of freshwater mussels, which are excellent indicators of river and stream health. Join us to uncover the secret lives of these 'living filters'— from their bizarre parasitic life cycle to their incredible ability to purify water. We'll also discuss the challenges they face, how the GSWA is working to protect them, and what you can do to help save these vital bivalves! Registration is required. GSWA Members: Free, non-member adult: $10, Non-member Child: $5   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 […]

Get Tickets Free – $40.00