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Dedicated to the conservation of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Morris County, NJ

About Us

About Friends

Friends of Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Inc. is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization as defined under the laws of the state of New Jersey and the United States Internal Revenue Service under section 501(c)(3). Corporate offices are maintained at 32 Pleasant Plains Road, Harding Township, NJ. The mailing address is: 32 Pleasant Plains Road, Basking Ridge NJ 07920.

The Friends of Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1999 in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Our focus is refuge-centric; we support the goals, projects, and mission of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. Our operations and activities are managed by an all-volunteer board of directors and committees.

The Friends is part of a network of more than 200 friends groups nationwide, each associated with one or more national wildlife refuges, all committed to improving and protecting our unique refuge resources.

Funds to support refuge projects and activities are received from memberships, Nature Shop sales, donations, and grants.

Mission Statement

Friends of Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is an independent, volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to

  • Promoting stewardship of the natural resources of the Refuge
  • Inspiring an appreciation of nature through education and outreach
  • Engaging in partnership activities that support and enhance the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge and the National Refuge System

Board of Directors

  • Tom Gula, President
  • Randi Emmer, Vice President
  • Paul Lauber, Secretary
  • Tom Cartwright, Treasurer
  • Jane Bell
  • Judi DiMaio
  • Stephen Herdman
  • Dave Katz
  • Robert Lin
  • Walter Willwerth
  • Kathy Woodward
  • Jared Green, US FWS liaison

The Friends of Great Swamp NWR Board of Directors meets on the second Wednesday of every month at 6:30pm via Zoom. Members of the Friends are welcome to attend board meetings. If interested, send your request to info@friendsofgreatswamp.org.

Learn More

For more information, you can read or download a variety of documents from our on-line library. These include a tour brochure, activity book for the youngsters, reading lists and more. You will also find complete scripts to our Fall Festival plays over the years. Click the link below to see the complete catalog.

Library Documents

How Friends Help the Refuge

We host events, including:

  • Second Sunday educational programs
  • Annual Turkey Walk
  • Annual Fall Festival
  • The Big Sit! Birding Event
  • Great Backyard Bird Count

We provide funds for:

  • Habitat Improvement Projects
  • Research studies on wetlands, waterfowl, fish and invertebrates
  • Head-start Wood Turtle Program
  • New trails, kiosks, benches and interpretive signs
  • Urban partnership programs with Groundwork Elizabeth and others
  • Publications like the Tree & Shrub Guide and Wildlife Tour Route Guide
  • Annual volunteer recognition event
  • Annual Refuge Photo Contest

We volunteer and coordinate volunteer resources for numerous events, including:

  • Removal of invasive plant species from wildlife habitats
  • Upkeep of demonstration gardens
  • Bird walks, Wildflower walks, Nature walks
  • Trail maintenance
  • Visitor Center staffing
  • Wildlife Observation Center staffing during the Spring and Fall migration seasons
  • Annual Fall Festival
  • Construction projects such as boardwalks and kiosks

  • Outreach events with our urban partners in Elizabeth NJ

Friends Outreach Service

Video • Presentation • Handouts
about Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge

A 45-minute program offered to
Clubs • Schools • Civic Organizations

Contact Randi Emmer for more information, 908-647-1321.