Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Halloween Excitement in New Jersey’s Spooky Great Swamp

Come in costume or as you are to Great Swamp Watershed Association’s Spooky Swamp Walk, Oct. 26.

With Halloween right around the corner, is there a better time to visit a spooky swamp where owls hoot and coyotes cry?

On Friday, October 26, the Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA) will lead a series of Spooky Swamp Walks through its 53-acre Conservation Management Area (CMA) in Harding Township, NJ.

Come in costume or come as you are to this outdoor celebration of all things that go bump in the Great Swamp at night!

Little or big, all of the ghosts, ghouls, goblins, and witches who appear will be led on a special night-time tour of the darkest corners, eeriest boardwalks, and blackest recesses of GSWA’s own small corner of Great Swamp. Expect lots of fun and lots of surprises as you trek through forest and marsh after sunset.  If skies are clear, a near-full moon will light our way.

Costumes are encouraged! But, keep in mind that sturdy footwear and a jacket are recommended for this event. Families with children are encouraged to attend.  The hike is 1.4 miles long over level ground and the occasional boardwalk. Wet, muddy conditions are possible.

Walks begin at the CMA entrance located at 1 Tiger Lily Lane, Morristown, NJ.  Groups of 15 to 18 people will be led into the swamp every 15 minutes from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. The last tour leaves at 8:00 p.m.  Cider, snacks, photo opportunities, Halloween music, and decorations will entertain those waiting to go on walks.  Wait times will vary based on event participation.

Advance registration is appreciated.  There is no fee for participation, however, voluntary donations to the Great Swamp Watershed Association are encouraged and may be made upon arrival. Please park cars along the cul-de-sac and along the sides of Tiger Lily Lane. More parking information will be made available at www.GreatSwamp.org as the event date approaches. No rain date.

To register, or for more information, visit www.GreatSwamp.org or call 973-538-3500 x22.

 

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Great Swamp Watershed Association Announces Fall 2012 Breakfast Briefing Series

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Experts from NJ and beyond keep you up-to-date on local environmental issues while you are on the go.

The Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA) is pleased to announce speakers and presentations scheduled for its Fall 2012 Breakfast Briefing Series.  All events take place between 8:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. at GSWA’s office located at 568 Tempe Wick Road in Morristown, NJ.

On Tuesday, October 16, GSWA welcomes two guests for The Raritan & the Passaic: A Tale of Two Rivers, a special presentation that compares and contrasts these two important regional river systems.  Dr. Judy Shaw, senior research associate and director of the Sustainable Raritan River Initiative at Rutgers University’s Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, will enumerate the myriad environmental issues these neighboring watersheds must address—especially the issue of flooding—as well as some environmental solutions residents of both regions can share.  Author Mary Bruno, whose book An American River: From Paradise to Superfund, Afloat on New Jersey’s Passaic was released this past May, will also be on hand to provide new perspectives on the Passaic River region.  Signed copies of Ms. Bruno’s book will be on sale throughout the event.

Tuesday, November 13, GSWA Director of Water Quality Programs Laura Kelm will discuss the overall health of the five major streams comprising the Great Swamp Watershed.  This State of the Streams report will summarize findings from a recent study of ten years of water testing data collected by Great Swamp Watershed Association, the former Ten Towns Committee, and others.

On Wednesday, December 5, Professor Joseph J. Seneca from Rutgers University’s Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy will present The Economic Implications of Climate Change In New Jersey.  Discussion will focus on how New Jersey might efficiently mitigate the economic effects of climate change through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, changes to public policy, and implementation of alternative energy strategies.

GSWA created the Breakfast Briefing Series to help area residents stay informed about community environmental issues without taking valuable time away from work or family life.  Presentations are kept brief, focus on current environmental topics, and minimize overlap with most traditional business hours. Coffee, tea, and a continental breakfast are always served free of charge.

Advance registration is requested. Please register by visiting www.GreatSwamp.org or by calling 973-538-3500 x22.

Photo: GSWA volunteer and citizen-scientist Mike Duffy captures water quality data from a tributary of the Upper Passaic River.