Welcome to the Friends of Great Swamp NWR Website
Our independent, non-profit organization is committed to protecting and supporting Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. The 8,000 acre Refuge, located in Morris County, New Jersey, provides excellent recreational opportunities for visitors as well as protecting valuable habitat for wildlife. Look here for upcoming events, things to do, and ways you can help.
Refuge Status Report
The Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center is open Tuesday 10am to 4pm, Thursday through Sunday 10am to 4pm. The Refuge is open from sunrise to sunset. The America the Beautiful Interagency Pass, including the Annual Pass, the Senior Pass and the Disabilities Pass, are not available for sale at Great Swamp NWR. Interpretive tours are available for small groups including school classes, scout groups, and other youth and adult organizations. To arrange for a group visit, contact Jared Green, Refuge Specialist at jared_green@fws.gov.
Upcoming Events
Friday Walks with Friends
Refuge Readers – A Book Discussion Group
Third Saturday Walk – White Oak Trail
Pervasive Invasives
Enter the 2024 Refuge Photo Contest
Your entries help add to our library of 1,400+ photos. Photos are used on the website, Swamp Scene newsletter, Happenings eNews, Facebook pages, displays, interpretive signs, presentations, and publications by the Friends and the Refuge.
Stay Informed
Our monthly email newsletter “Happenings” will bring you current information on events at Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge and other items of interest. Delivered right to your email in-box so you won’t miss a thing.
The Great Swamp featured on NJ PBS!
Second Sunday with Friends, May 12, 2024, 1:30-3:00 pm, Unusual Insects of Great Swamp.
Why does that “bug” follow you on the trails? Is that a wasp digging holes in the gravel in the parking area? Join Judi DiMaio, Refuge volunteer, to learn about the unusual insects with seemingly unusual behaviors that Judi has encountered at the Refuge.
The May program with be in-person or via Zoom. Registration is required. In-person will be held at the Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center, 32 Pleasant Plains Road, Harding Township, NJ 07920
Register at ttsu.me/insects. The Zoom logon will be emailed to all registrants on Sunday, May 12 at noon.
Sponsored by the Great Swamp NWR and USFWS with generous support from the Martha Heflin Foundation.
Click here to go the full list of recent sightings on the eBird website.