GSWA

SOLD OUT - Afternoon Paddle @ the Refuge
2023-04-15 12:30 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Somerset County Park Commission, Fisherman’s Parking Lot, Approx. 170 Lord Stirling Road, Basking Ridge, NJ
Afternoon Paddle: 12:30-2 PM
Kick off your day with a peaceful spring paddle at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. By mid-April, most tree are bursting with buds with their leaves ready to emerge. Birds like pine warblers and woodcocks are migrating back our way. Spring peepers and chorus frogs are calling. Come experience all this and more from a magical place – the middle of the Passaic River at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. 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 then 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 put-in location is the Fisherman’s Parking Lot and we will paddle from there. The parking lot is slightly down the road from Lord Stirling Environmental Education Center.
The GSWA kayaks, used in our water quality and educational programming, were purchased with the generous funding provided by the Thomas Glasser Foundation.

SOLD OUT - Morning Paddle @ the Refuge
2023-04-15 10:00 - 11:30 | Somerset County Park Commission, Fisherman’s Parking Lot, Approx. 170 Lord Stirling Road, Basking Ridge, NJ
Morning Paddle: 10-11:30 AM
Kick off your day with a peaceful spring paddle at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. By mid-April, most tree are bursting with buds with their leaves ready to emerge. Birds like pine warblers and woodcocks are migrating back our way. Spring peepers and chorus frogs are calling. Come experience all this and more from a magical place – the middle of the Passaic River at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. 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 then 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 put-in location is the Fisherman’s Parking Lot and we will paddle from there. The parking lot is slightly down the road from Lord Stirling Environmental Education Center.
The GSWA kayaks, used in our water quality and educational programming, were purchased with the generous funding provided by the Thomas Glasser Foundation.

NEW LOCATION - Evening Briefing: "Eat the Weeds" Backyard Foraging
2023-04-13 18:00 - 19:30 | Kemmerer Library, 19 Blue Mill Road, Harding Twp., NJ, 07960, United States
PLEASE NOTE THE NEW LOCATION
Kemmerer Library, 19 Blue Mill Rd, New Vernon, NJ

Instead of weeding your yard, forage! Come learn about the benefits of foraging for edible invasive (non-native) species like 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 to make your own pesto. Come learn about these and other types of plants where we can reduce their presence simply by eating them outright or adding them to a salad! You will receive instruction on how to identify, prepare, and preserve these free greens so you can safely hunt for these delicious invasives while cleaning up your yard! Foraged and homemade treats will be provided.
This program is offered in partnership with GSWA and the Kemmerer Library of Harding Twp. We are able to offer this program to the public at no cost thanks to the generous underwriting from Kemmerer Library.

How's the Water? GSWA Quality Report Card – Free Zoom Webinar
2023-04-12 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom Webinar, Morristown, NJ, United States
How’s the water? That is the most common question we get from onlookers when we are out collecting water quality samples. Join Sandra LaVigne, GSWA’s Director of Water Quality Programs, for an in-depth recap on the health of our streams and water quality data results from 2022. Bring your questions for the Q&A session at the end. A Zoom link will be sent to you post-registration. This program is brought to you in collaboration with Long Hill Twp. Library.
Register for the Zoom webinar HERE! Be sure to scroll down to “Passaic River Report Card: with Sandra LaVigne & the Great Swamp Association Wed. 4/12 @ 7pm (via Zoom)” and check “Yes, I want to attend”

“The earth, the air, the land, and the water are not an inheritance from our forefathers but on loan from our children. So we have to handover to them at least as it was handed over to us.”
– Mahatma Gandhi

Evening Briefing: Gardening for Pollinators
2023-04-05 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom Webinar, NJ, United States
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 frolicking 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.
This program is brought to you in collaboration with Long Hill Twp. Library.

Register for the zoom webinar HERE! Be sure to scroll down to “Native Plant & Pollinator Talk: with Hazel England & the Great Swamp Watershed Association Wed. 4/5 7pm (via Zoom)” and check “Yes, I want to attend”

Native Pollinator Plant Sale Overview
2023-04-03 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom Webinar, Morristown, NJ, United States
Registration closes Monday, April 3 @ 10 AM

Join Hazel England, GSWA Director of Education, Outreach, and Land Stewardship (our resident pollinator expert) for an overview of the native pollinator plants and plant kits available at our 3rd annual online Native Pollinator Plant Sale. Choose from a variety of individual species to create or enhance your own garden in ways that best fit your needs. To simplify garden design and provide some additional savings, many of the species are also sold in a variety of garden kits. Each kit is designed for specific garden sizes and conditions.
Learn how different plants can help you build out your pollinator garden to attract the widest variety of insects throughout the growing season along with suggestions for plant pairings you will want to attract specific pollinators. Discover why this type of garden benefits your yard, your neighborhood, and our shared watershed. We will also walk you through our online storefront, simple ordering process, and amazing online resources on the site.
If you’re considering starting or expanding your native pollinator garden, you’re going to want to check this out! You will receive your Zoom link prior to the start of the webinar.
While this program is free for all participants, a suggested donation of $5-$10 is appreciated to help offset the cost of bringing you this great, nationally recognized speaker. :-)

Mark Your Calendar: Apr 3, 1:30 PM – Native Plants for Pollinators online sale opens Apr 3 @ 1:30 PM and runs through Apr 28 @ 5 PM (Plant purchase pickup date is Saturday, May 6 at a location near you). Learn more about native pollinator plants, gardening, and GSWA’s online plant sale HERE.
Jan 17 webinar replay: Pollinator Plants for Pollinator Wildlife – Speaker: Desiree Narango, Conservation Scientist with the Vermont Center for Ecostudies. Click HERE and register to receive the playback link

The Great Swamp Scavenger Hunt Kickoff
2023-04-01 12:00 - 2023-04-15 23:00 | Long Hill Township Library, 917 Valley Rd, Gillette, NJ, 07933, United States
The Great Swamp Scavenger Hunt Kickoff is a FREE adventure game that is open to kids and adults alike! It’s one of the most entertaining ways to discover- or rediscover- some of the great sites of natural, cultural, and historic importance tucked away in Long Hill Township. On your hunt, you’ll learn about how water moves through our towns while scouting out trees, environmental groups, and waterways in the area! You will have 2 weeks to complete this program. Grab your scavenger hunt booklet at the library any time during the two weeks of the event. Join GSWA staffers for this kickoff event to learn more about the hunt and enjoy some fun things to do to wet your appetite for this fun adventure brought to you in collaboration with Long Hill Twp. Library.

Register for the zoom webinar HERE! Be sure to scroll down to “Scavenger Hunt Kick -off: Sat. 4/1 12-2pm with the Great Swamp Watershed Association” and check “Yes, I want to attend”.

Stream Assessment Training - FREE
2023-04-01 10:00 - 13:00 | Long Hill Township Library, 917 Valley Rd, Gillette, NJ, 07933, United States
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.

SOLD OUT - Vernal Pool Exploration Hike
2023-03-31 19:00 - 21:00 | Great Swamp Watershed Association’s CMA, 1 Tiger Lily Ln, Morristown, NJ, 07960, United States
To be added to the waitlist, email Melanie – mhertgen@greatswamp.org.
If you reserved a spot but cannot attend, email Melanie so next person on the waitlist can be invited.
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.

What's the Buzz About Native Bees?
2023-03-21 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom Webinar, Morristown, NJ, United States
Registration closes March 21 @ 5 PM
What’s the Buzz About Native Bees?
Speaker: Heather Holm
FREE Zoom Webinar

When you see bees buzzing around your garden, that’s a good thing. It means they are doing their jobs…pollinating! Pollination is essential in growing flowers and plants – basically all the food we consume as animals on this planet.

Join biologist, pollinator conservationist, and award-winning author, Heather Holm, for a lively discussion about our friends, the bees, and all they do for our ecosystem. Not a fan of bees? All the more reason to attend this webinar. The fear of bees can be very real for many different reasons, but perhaps at the end of this presentation, fear will be replaced with fascination and an understanding of their amazing diversity, and what homeowners should be doing to promote their busy buzzy presence in our yards.
You will receive the webinar Zoom link via email prior to the start of the program. NOTE: This presentation is LIVE only, it WILL NOT be recorded.
Mark your calendar for the last webinar in this 4-part series and the start of the plant sale:
Apr 3, 12-1 PM – GSWA Native Pollinator Plant Sale Overview
While this program is free for all participants, a suggested donation of $5-$10 is appreciated to help offset the cost of bringing you this great, nationally recognized speaker. :-)

Mark Your Calendar: Apr 3, 1:30 PM – Native Plants for Pollinators online sale opens Apr 3 @ 1:30 PM and runs through Apr 28 @ 5 PM (Plant purchase pickup date is Saturday, May 6 at a location near you). Learn more about native pollinator plants, gardening, and GSWA’s online plant sale HERE.
Jan 17 webinar replay: Pollinator Plants for Pollinator Wildlife – Speaker: Desiree Narango, Conservation Scientist with the Vermont Center for Ecostudies. Click HERE and register to receive the playback link

POSTPONED: Pi Day Pub Quiz
2023-03-14 18:30 - 20:30 | Madison Community Arts Center, 10 Kings Rd., Madison, NJ, 07940, United States
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED – NEW DATE WILL BE SHARED ONCE IT IS DETERMINED

Come celebrate pi day with some pizza “pi” and a lively nature knowledge pub quiz. March 14 marks Pi Day, an annual celebration of the mathematical sign pi representing the first three digits of pi (3.14) and coincidentally, 3/14 also happens to be Albert Einstein’s birthday. So, for all you smarty-pants out there, this is your opportunity to showcase your knowledge of nature, water, and the environment. Play for prizes and bragging rights!
Team sizes may range from 3-5 players. Friends busy that day? No worries – we will team you up with other enthusiastic players. Multiple choice questions range from beginner to expert level. Sample question: Are corals rocks, plants, or animals? Answer: Animals – made up of thousands of tiny animals called polyps
Socialize and refuel your game with free pizza and soft drinks at the mid-game break! The entry fee covers your individual quiz participation, 2 slices of pizza, and soft drinks, all at the beautiful Madison Community Arts Center.
Added bonus: door prizes and prizes for best team. Want to add to the fun? BYOP (Bring Your Own Pie) for desert to share with your team!
Ages 10 and older are welcome. Teams must have at least one member 18+ years of age to compete; team size: 3-5 players; maximum number of teams: 10.
This will event fill up fast and space is limited, so register today!

CONDO Development Plan - Informational Zoom Webinar
2023-02-23 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom Webinar, NJ, United States
CONDO Development Plan may significantly DEGRADE our GREAT SWAMP WATERSHED Conservation Management Area
The proposed S/K Mt. Kemble development plan is for a 96-unit residential, multi-family condominium complex including affordable housing with a community clubhouse, playground, pool, and dog park. This 15.5-acre, triangular shaped, forested parcel flanks Route 287 on one side and the Mt. Kemble office complex on another side. The third side bumps up against wetlands which connect to GSWA’s 73-acre Conservation Management Area (CMA) under Route 287.
Converting woods to pavement and rooftops significantly increases impervious surface cover. This increases stormwater volume, likely resulting in downstream flooding, added nonpoint pollutant loading, and erosion of both Silver Brook and Great Brook. GSWA strongly opposes this proposed development* and we are deeply concerned about the environmental impact we anticipate on our freshwater wetlands, water quality, recharge, and stormwater. Following are some of our major concerns:

Encroachments into freshwater wetlands, encroachments into and alteration of the wetland transition areas (buffers).
In some cases, these wetland encroachments would necessitate importing large amounts of fill that would be needed to recontour buffer areas or will be covered by impervious surfaces.
Significant increases in pollutant loading to Silver Brook due to the fact that the portion of the site proposed for development is currently fully wooded. We would also expect measurable increases in sediment, phosphorus, nitrogen, and salt loading to Silver Brook.
Potential lack of recharge of any of the site’s post-development runoff. This will result in increased flood volume hitting the Silver Brook and a reduction in base-flow during fair weather as this runoff rushes away from impervious surfaces and is no longer absorbed.
Changes to the Northeast Water Quality Management plan map of sewerage coverage to include the development, creating significant additional effluent discharge, through the Woodland Wastewater Treatment Plant, into Loantaka Brook, adding additional nutrients to this already impaired tributary of the Passaic River.
Potential significant long-term hydrologic alterations of this headwater stream and the adjacent riparian floodplain areas and wetlands.
Possible impact to threatened and endangered species such as wood turtle and Indiana bat.

In response to GSWA’s opposition and a barrage of public comments and requests, the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has scheduled a virtual public hearing on March 9 to consider amending the Northeast water quality management plan.
Great news! You CAN make a difference! Join GSWA staff and experts for a live webinar to learn the specifics and the impacts we believe this development will cause. We will also offer clear and simple guidance on how YOU can raise your objections to the proposal via comment at the virtual DEP hearing or in written comment. We strongly encourage you to to participate in this important, free webinar in preparation of the March 9 hearing and to share this information far and wide.
Note: This webinar will be recorded and the replay link will be shared with all registrants. You must register to receive the replay. If you do not wish to appear on the recording, please be sure to turn off your camera and/or remove your name.
Unable to attend the webinar?
Please submit written comments on the proposed amendment via email or USPS (see below)
All comments should reference Program Interest No. 435442, Activity No. AMD200007 and must be submitted within 15 days after the public hearing.
Email: wqmp.publiccomments@dep.nj.gov
USPS: To assure your letter gets to the right place, you must address your envelope exactly as it appears below:
DEP at New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Division of Watershed Protection & Restoration
Bureau of NJPDES Stormwater Permitting and Water Quality Management
Water Quality Management Planning Program
PO Box 420, Mail Code 501-02A
501 East State Street
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0420
CLICK HERE to view and download a letter to our neighbors containing the critical actions of virtual meeting attendance, letter writing or verbal responses on this environmental concern. Help us spread this call-to-action and share it with others. THANK YOU in advance for your help.

*GSWA is not anti-development or anti-affordable housing. We strongly support affordable housing when properly located. We believe that locating this development on this site, with the environmental impacts it will cause, is inappropriate.

Evening Briefing: Wasps - The Astonishing Diversity of a Misunderstood Insect
2023-02-21 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom Webinar, NJ, United States
Registration closes February 21 @ 5 PM
Wasps: The Astonishing Diversity of a Misunderstood Insect
Speaker: Eric Eaton
FREE Zoom Webinar

Wasps – people love to hate them. However, contrary to popular belief, wasps serve 2 important roles in our ecosystem: 1) they are pest controllers, hunting other insect species and keeping their population in check which prevents garden and crop decimation, and 2) they are pollinators for nearly 1000 plant species.

Join acclaimed author Eric Eaton as he deconstructs our misconceptions about the often-vilified wasps and talks about the invaluable ecosystem services wasps provide. He will also challenge us to shift the outdated mindset of what really constitutes a “yard” or “garden” and help homeowners think more holistically about what really constitutes beneficial species.
When homeowners understand how their gardening decisions, such as pesticide usage or determining certain species should be exterminated, it can impact local ecology. Eric will offer a new perspective on often-maligned species and broaden our perspective on several elements of gardening for natives.
Eric Eaton has authored “Insectpedia” (Princeton Univ. Press, 2022) and “Wasps: The Astonishing Diversity of a Misunderstood Insect.” He is a writer and entomologist specializing in hymenoptera (a large order of insects, comprising over 150,000 living species of sawflies, wasps, bees, and ants).
You will receive the webinar Zoom link via email prior to the start of the program.

Register for the 2 remaining webinars in this 4-part series:
Mar 21, 7-8 PM – What’s the Buzz About Native Bees?
Apr 3, 12-1 PM – GSWA Native Pollinator Plant Sale Overview

While this program is free for all participants, a suggested donation of $5-$10 is appreciated to help offset the cost of bringing you this great, nationally recognized speaker. :-)

Mark Your Calendar: Apr 3, 1:30 PM – Native Plants for Pollinators online sale opens Apr 3 @ 1:30 PM and runs through Apr 28 @ 5 PM (Plant purchase pickup date is Saturday, May 6 at a location near you). Learn more about native pollinator plants, gardening, and GSWA’s online plant sale HERE.
Jan 17 webinar replay: Pollinator Plants for Pollinator Wildlife – Speaker: Desiree Narango, Conservation Scientist with the Vermont Center for Ecostudies. Click HERE and register to receive the playback link

President's Day Hike @ The Refuge SOLD OUT
2023-02-20 13:00 - 15:00 | Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge – Orange Trailhead, approx 77 Meyersville Rd., Green Village (Harding Township), NJ, 07935, United States
If you cannot attend, please email mhertgen@GreatSwamp.org
to cancel so we can invite the next person on the waitlist email.
Celebrate this President’s Day with a relaxing, family-friendly, guided tour of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge’s Orange Trail. The kids are off from school and it’s a beautiful time of year to connect with nature. If there happens to be snow on the ground, your guide, GSWA’s Ginger Van Ryzin, will help look for tracks and other signs of the critters who call the Refuge home. Dress for the weather and be sure to wear appropriate footwear.
Click HERE for a map to the meetup location. GPS Coordinates: 40.726674, -74.457729

Full "Snow" Moon Night Hike @ The Refuge
2023-02-06 18:00 - 19:30 | Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge – Wildlife Observation Center, https://goo.gl/maps/tLD3KapcRC21245c8, Harding Twp., NJ, 07976, United States
There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes. So no more excuses! It’s time to bundle up, get back outside, and feel the rejuvenating power of nature on this relaxing night hike. The February full moon is known as the “Snow Moon” because lots of snow is generally found on the ground in most Northern Hemisphere countries during this time. Come experience it for yourself. 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.

Frozen Falls Hike (new end-time & meetup address)
2023-01-28 11:00 - 14:00 | Ramapo Valley County Reservation, 610 Ramapo Valley Rd., Mawah, NJ, 07430, United States
NEW TIMEFRAME: this hike now runs 11 AM – 2 PM (previously 11 AM – 1:30 PM)
What would inspire you to brave the cold for a January hike? How about the unique opportunity to experience a frozen winter wonderland?! Join GSWA’s Ginger Van Ryzin for an intermediate-level hike to check out some beautiful water features. The hike will journey along portions of the Yellow Trail and traverse several other trails as we hike towards a picturesque waterfall. If conditions are right, we may witness the falls in a frozen state – a sight to behold. Along the way we will encounter other bodies of water like babbling (or not so babbling, depending on the temps) streams, a pond and a reservoir, and the Ramapo River – which eventually feeds into the Passaic River. As you may know, GSWA works to protect the water and land of the Passaic River and its surrounding region.
The Ramapo Reservation is Bergen County’s largest park located on the edge of the Highlands Region featuring a network of five scenic loop trails. Grab this opportunity to breathe in the crisp, cool air, get your blood pumping, and experience the wonder that winter’s nature has to offer.
Note #1: This is a 3+ mile, intermediate-level hike with a 300-foot elevation change. Be sure to wear appropriate footwear, dress for the weather, and bring a reusable water bottle and snacks if you so choose.
Note #2: Parts of the trail are rocky and potentially icy, so consider bringing your hiking poles and microspikes or yaktraks. If trail conditions are unsafe we will take an alternate route.
Note #3: For everyone’s safety, if it is a very cold day, we will shorten the hike.

Lunch & Learn: PFAS in our Waters
2023-01-27 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom Webinar, NJ, United States
Registration closes January 27, 11:00 AM

Join us for an in-depth talk about GSWA’s PFAS sampling project. In 2022, GSWA undertook a large-scale PFAS sampling project throughout our watershed. PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are long-lasting, human-made chemicals that are ubiquitous in our everyday lives and our environment. This talk will cover the results of our sampling efforts, what you should know about these persistent chemicals, how state and local governments are addressing the issue, and what you can do to help.
While this program is free for all participants, a small donation is always appreciated to help offset the cost of staff time. :-)
You will receive the webinar Zoom link via email prior to the start of the program.

2nd Annual "Source to Sea" Virtual Challenge
2023-01-21 00:00 - 2023-03-26 23:30
Ready for a winter challenge? Join us for our 2nd annual Source to Sea 80-mile virtual challenge where you will virtually travel the distance of the Passaic River. Run, walk, bike, snowshoe, ski, dance, shovel, vacuum, roll – any indoor or outdoor activity you choose (as long as it is powered by you) – for 80 miles, the length of the Passaic River. This can be done from anywhere in the world. You will have just over 8 weeks to chip away at this goal that runs Saturday, January 21 through Sunday, March 26 from literally anywhere in the world!
Click below to learn more and register (this will take you to a 3rd party platform)

Choose one activity or any combination to accomplish your goal. Start small and build on it, tackle it in big chunks, or anything in between. This is your challenge to accomplish however you see fit.
Activity Conversion Chart
Click HERE to view an Activity Conversion Chart to help you calculate your mileage for the various activities you may choose to reach your 80-mile goal.
Free GSWA Decal

The $35 registration fee includes a fun, commemorative GSWA decal for you to proudly display on your car or fridge. You will receive this in the mail in March. Additionally, all finishers receive one free ticket to GSWA’s Great Swamp Great Music festival in June 2023 (a $30 value).
Kickoff Carb-load Pasta Dinner

Join other Source-to-Sea participants sometime in March for a Carb-load pick-me-up. You will enjoy baked ziti, a healthy salad, and some sides, served to you by GSWA staff members at our headquarters in Morristown, NJ. We will also provide soft drinks but feel free to bring whatever libations you would like to compliment your meal. Be on the lookout for the pasta dinner coming soon!

Questions on any of this? Email Lynne: LApplebaum@GreatSwamp.org
Are you ready? Let’s get moving together!

Lunch & Learn: Riparian Buffers and our Rivers
2023-01-20 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom Webinar, NJ, United States
Registration closes January 20, 11:00 AM

Take it to the Riverbank: Waterfront views may be popular, but what happens when we develop too close to a waterway? Riverside plants, or “Riparian Buffers” act as filters to slow and clean polluted runoff protecting our streams, groundwater and downstream land areas.
Grab your lunch and join us for a FREE Zoom webinar as we learn about how trees, shrubs, and grasses perform this essential service. We will look at examples of functioning riparian buffers and talk about those that have needed restoration for many years due to human activity. While this program is free for all participants, a small donation is always appreciated to help offset the cost of staff time. :-)
You will receive the webinar Zoom link via email prior to the start of the program.
Check out the last webinar in this 3-part series: January 27 “PFAS in our Water.”

Plants for Pollinators Webinar Series - Watch the Replay
2023-01-19 00:00 - 2023-04-03 13:00
Whether you missed them or want to watch them again – register to receive the replay links for:
Native Plants for Native Wildlife – Cultivating Biodiversity
Host: Desiree Narango, Conservation Scientist with the Vermont Center for Ecostudies
&
Wasps: The Astonishing Diversity of a Misunderstood Insect
Guest Host: Eric Eaton, Acclaimed Author and Entomologist

Your yard, whatever size, can provide essential habitat for valuable pollinators such as butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects. This 4-part Plants for Pollinators webinar series take a closer look at our native pollinators, how we can contribute their survival, and important roles they play in our gardens and in supporting healthy ecosystems. Scroll to the very bottom of this page and register to receive these 2 webinar replay links.

Want to register for the remaining 2 webinars in this series? Register for individual webinars:

Mar 21, 7-8 PM – What’s the Buzz About Native Bees? (NOTE: This presentation is LIVE only, it WILL NOT be recorded.)
Apr 3, 12-1 PM – GSWA Native Pollinator Plant Sale Overview (prior to the start of the online sale)

(Or) Register for both at once HERE

While this speaker program series is free for all participants, a suggested donation of $5-$10 is appreciated to help offset the cost of bringing you these nationally recognized speakers. :-)

Mark Your Calendar: Apr 3, 1:30 PM – Native Plants for Pollinators online sale opens Apr 3 @ 1:30 PM and runs through Apr 28 @ 5 PM (Plant purchase pickup date is Saturday, May 6 at a location near you). Learn more about native pollinator plants, gardening, and GSWA’s online plant sale HERE.

Native Pollinator Plant Webinar Series
2023-01-17 19:00 - 2023-04-03 13:00 | Zoom Webinar, Morristown, NJ, United States
Building a “Jersey-friendly yard” creates a healthy foundation of soil, conserves water, attracts and supports wildlife, and adds beauty and interest to your home landscape.
Leading up to our 3rd annual, online Native Pollinator Plant Sale on April 3, we have secured three nationally recognized and diverse speakers to present at monthly webinars.

Scroll to the very bottom and register to attend all 2 remaining programs at once at the click of a button.

Register for individual programs below:
Mar 21, 7-8 PM: What’s the Buzz About Native Bees? Speaker: Heather Holm, biologist, pollinator conservationist, and award-winning author. NOTE: This presentation is LIVE only, it WILL NOT be recorded. Register HERE
Apr 3, 12-1 PM: GSWA Native Pollinator Plant Sale Overview. Speaker: Hazel England, GSWA Director of Education, Outreach, and Land Stewardship (GSWA online Native Pollinator Plant Sale opens directly following this webinar) Register HERE

While this speaker program series is free for all participants, a suggested donation of $5-$10 is appreciated to help offset the cost of bringing you these nationally recognized speakers. :-)

Mark Your Calendar: Apr 3, 1:30 PM – Native Plants for Pollinators online sale opens Apr 3 @ 1:30 PM and runs through Apr 28 @ 5 PM (Plant purchase pickup date is Saturday, May 6 at a location near you). Learn more about native pollinator plants, gardening, and GSWA’s online plant sale HERE.
Watch the Replay: Whether you missed them or want to watch them again, click HERE to register to receive the replay links for three of the four Plants for Pollinators Webinar Series.

Evening Briefing: Native Plants for Native Wildlife
2023-01-17 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom Webinar, NJ, United States
Registration closes January 17 @ 5 PM

Native Plants for Native Wildlife
Key steps toward cultivating biodiversity conservation in our gardens
Speaker: Desiree Narango
FREE Zoom Webinar
January is here and that can only mean one thing – it’s time to start ramping up for Spring! GSWA is offering a 4-part Native Pollinator Plant Webinar Series as we lead up to our 3rd annual Plants for Pollinator online sale. We are fortunate to have Desiree Narango, Conservation Scientist with the Vermont Center for Ecostudies, to kick things off.
Desiree will speak on the fascinating complexity of plant-animal interactions. This is your opportunity to learn more about the breadth of research which shows how native plants, and the pollinators and insects that feed upon them, are the foundation for cultivating food webs and encouraging biodiversity in our yards, patios, school grounds, and other privately-managed green spaces. You’ll leave knowing more about why native plants are crucial to sustaining biodiversity and specific plant species that are important for supporting specialist pollinators and songbirds.
You will receive the webinar Zoom link via email prior to the start of the program.

Mark your calendar for the 3 remaining webinars in this 4-part series and the start of the plant sale:
Feb 21, 7-8 PM – Wasps: The Astonishing Diversity of a Misunderstood Insect
Mar 21, 7-8 PM – What’s the Buzz About Native Bees?
Apr 3, 12-1 PM – GSWA Native Pollinator Plant Sale Overview
Apr 3, 1:30 PM – Native Plants for Pollinators online sale opens Apr 3 @ 1:30 PM and runs through Apr 28 @ 5 PM (Plant purchase pickup date is Saturday, May 6)
While this program is free for all participants, a suggested donation of $5-$10 is appreciated to help offset the cost of bringing you this great, nationally recognized speaker. :-)

Lunch & Learn: Eels - a Salt/Fresh Water Mystery
2023-01-13 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom Webinar, NJ, United States
Registration closes January 13, 11:00 AM

Let’s face it, for many people, eels may not be easy to like. They can make many people feel… uneasy. Is an eel a snake? Is it a fish? They don’t fit in any clear category. Some may think of eels as a tasty sushi roll. And yet to others, eels are mysterious creatures with a very interesting life cycle. They are predators in freshwater streams helping to regulate the population of other animals. They are also a significant source of food for fish, mammals, turtles and birds.
Humans have been fascinated with eels for centuries, working to learn as much as they can about them. Yet we do not have all the answers. Nature has a way of keeping us guessing. One thing we do know is that eels are ecologically important and can be used as a bio-indicator for pollution to determine the health of their environment.
Grab your lunch and join us for a FREE Zoom webinar as we delve into the fascinating world of eels and their unique life cycle. While this program is free for all participants, a small donation is always appreciated to help offset the cost of staff time. :-)
You will receive the webinar Zoom link via email prior to the start of the program.
This is the 1st of 3 Lunch & Learn Zoom webinars focused on water quality and watershed friendly living. Check out our upcoming webinars: January 20 “Riverbanks and Riparian Buffers”; January 27 “PFAS in our Water.”

SOLD OUT - Full Wolf Moon Night Hike
2023-01-05 18:00 - 19:30 | Primrose Farm (Enter from Barrett Field), Barrett Field, 1413-000460000-000020001-00000, Morristown, NJ, 07960
If you cannot attend, please email nrago@GreatSwamp.org
to cancel so we can invite the next person on the waitlist email.
Kick off the new year with a leisurely stroll through the Primrose Farm meadow as the full moon lights the winter sky. The January full moon, known as the “wolf moon” is named for the fact that wolves tend to howl more often during the winter season, which is always when this full moon occurs.
The moon will guide us through 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.

This can be a tricky spot to find to please note the location details below:
Primrose Farm (see below for google map – click the + to zoom in and see details)
15 Brook Drive South, Harding Township, NJ (enter from Barrett Field)
http://goo.gl/maps/G4Lvc

Winter Solstice Night Hike & Story Telling
2022-12-21 18:00 - 19:30 | Visitor Center, Morristown National Historical Park, 600 Tempe Wick Road, Morristown, New Jersey, 07960
Bundle up and let’s celebrate the first day of winter (winter solstice) with a crisp, invigorating night hike and storytelling at Jockey Hollow. Winter solstice is the day with the fewest hours of sunlight in the whole year, making it the shortest day of the year. With the new moon just 2 days away, the stars in the winter skies will be shining brightly as we look and listen for owls and other nightlife. After the hike, we will warm up by a fire and sip hot chocolate as we learn about an 18th century viewpoint on how the early century colonists viewed the darkness vs. today. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity with some highly experienced and knowledgeable naturalists. Be sure to dress for the weather and wear your warm socks for this hike.

This special event is provided in partnership with Morristown National Historical Park and GSWA. Hike co-leaders: Eric Olson, Jockey Hollow Park Ranger and Historian; Hazel England, GSWA Director of Education, Outreach, & Land Stewardship; and Ginger Van Ryzin, GSWA Education, Land Steward & Water Quality Associate.

SOLD OUT: DIY Winter Wreath Workshop
2022-12-08 17:00 - 20:30 | Great Swamp Watershed Association HQ, 568 Tempe Wick Rd, Morristown, NJ, 07960, United States
If you cannot attend, please email nrago@GreatSwamp.org
to cancel so we can invite the next person on the waitlist email.
It’s not winter until the wreath is on the door. Put on your warm clothes and 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. Hot cider will be served. Registration fee covers everything you need to leave with a finished piece that’s ready to hang on your door or give as a gift.
Space is limited – registration is required.
If this 5:00-6:30 PM session it a little too early for you, go back to the GSWA there’s another workshop 7:00-8:30 PM!

Nature-themed Holiday Cookies - Make & Decorate
2022-11-29 18:00 - 19:30 | Great Swamp Watershed Association HQ, 568 Tempe Wick Rd, Morristown, NJ, 07960, United States
Jump-start on your holiday baking during this DIY cookie workshop. It’s sure to put you in the holiday spirit. First you will channel your inner artist by decorating pre-baked, nature-themed gingerbread and sugar cookies. All icing materials will be provided along with some decorating ideas to get your creative juices flowing. While these set, Hazel and Sandra, GSWA’s resident bakers (and cookie eaters) will step you through making two different types of cookie dough that you can then take home and bake at your leisure. One is a Welsh Aberffraw dough – a type of shortbread cookie with a special twist. The other will be a delicious surprise.
All you need to bring is your creativity (and an apron if you like) and we will provide the rest. You will leave with a dozen beautifully decorated cookies (6 gingerbread and 6 sugar) plus enough pre-made dough to bake up to another 2 dozen cookies at home. BAM! You’re all set for the holidays!
Feel free to BYO liquid holiday cheer to this festive cookie event.
Space is limited so register today!

SOLD OUT: New Moon Night Hike
2022-11-22 17:30 - 19:30 | Great Swamp Watershed Association’s CMA, 1 Tiger Lily Ln, Morristown, NJ, 07960, United States
If you cannot attend, please email nrago@GreatSwamp.org
to cancel so we can invite the next person on the waitlist email.
Come explore the stars and hike the trails of the Conservation Management Area under a new moon when the stars are at their brightest! A new moon is the first lunar phase, which means it will not be visible at all. But don’t worry, just because it’s dark out doesn’t mean the inhabitants of the woods have gone to sleep. During this guided hike, we will take advantage of the quiet, crisp autumn air by listening for the nighttime creatures of Harding Township like owls, raccoon, and possums. Dress for the weather – waterproof boots are recommended.

Fall Community Cleanup at the CMA
2022-11-20 09:00 - 13:00 | Great Swamp Watershed Association’s CMA, 1 Tiger Lily Ln, Morristown, NJ, 07960, United States
Here come the holidays and oh, the calories we will consume.
Let’s lean into the spirit of giving together and get some pre-holiday exercise along the way. We could use your help putting our 73-acre wetlands reserve (aka, our Conservation Management Area) to bed for the winter. There’s no shortage of things to accomplish on our honey-do list and a crisp, autumn morning is a great 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!

NEW DATE - Breakfast Briefing: Drew Forest Update
2022-11-15 08:00 - 09:30 | Great Swamp Watershed Association HQ, 568 Tempe Wick Rd, Morristown, NJ, 07960, United States
Get an update on the efforts to save the Drew Forest from development!
As you may know, the 53-acre Drew Forest, located on the Drew University campus in Madison, NJ, is in jeopardy of being sold and disappearing forever. The Drew Forest sits within FOUR watersheds, benefiting the community, wildlife, and ecosystem. Among the many benefits it offers, most importantly, The Forest overlies the Buried Valley Aquifer, a sole source aquifer that supplies drinking water to Madison, Chatham Borough, East Hanover, and Florham Park. Join us for an important update led by Friends of The Drew Forest, a volunteer organization created by environmental leaders from Madison and neighboring towns, dedicated community volunteers and Drew alumni. A light breakfast will be served followed by the presentation and a Q&A session.
