Second Sunday with Friends – Chimney Swifts!
The Effect of Light Pollution on Chimney Swift Roosting behavior Presenters: Emma Dougherty and Elise Morton from Fairleigh Dickinson University Light pollution is an anthropogenic factor that is rapidly increasing, posing serious threats to wildlife. Artificial light at night (ALAN) has been shown to impact behaviors and population dynamics of wildlife, often with negative consequences. One species of concern […]
Enter the 2023 Refuge Photo Contest
The Refuge Photo Contest sponsored by Friends of Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge returns for 2023! All amateur photographers are invited to submit a total of five digital photos in any of the following categories: Raptors, Birds Other than Raptors, Landscapes, Pollinators & Other Insects, Plants and Fungi, and Other Wildlife. A special youth category […]
Fungi for the Future with Dorothy Smullen
Second Sunday, March 12, 2023; 1:30- 3:00 PM Over the past few years, the public has become increasingly aware that the world of fungi is as mysterious as it is fascinating. Fungi live everywhere…in all kinds of organisms, in the air, in water, and even inside solid rock. Remarkably, eighty-five percent of all plants on […]
The Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology… an Historical Perspective with Randy Little
Second Sunday, February 12, 2023; 1:30 pm Over the past decades, bird watching has quietly emerged as America’s new national pastime, enjoyed today by 45 million enthusiasts, ranging from backyard novices to roving field experts. But bird “watching” has evolved, as today’s birders increasingly use bird song (and high tech tools) to enhance their identification […]
Double Discount Days at the Friends Nature Shop
Thursday, December 1 – Sunday, December 4 Get a jump start on your holiday shopping, avoid the crowds, and support Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. All shoppers will receive a 10% discount on their purchases, and if you are a Friends member, take 20% off. Not a member? Not to worry. You may join on […]
Congratulations to the 2022 Refuge Photo Contest Winners!
On Saturday, October 1st, Friends of Great Swamp NWR hosted an awards presentation where the winners of the 2022 Refuge Photo Contest were announced. Thank you to the 48 photographers who submitted over 180 entries! The winners in each category are highlighted in the presentation below. To see all the entries visit the Friends YouTube […]
Photo Contest Awards Presentation October 1
On Saturday October 1st at 11am, Friends of Great Swamp NWR will host an awards presentation where the winners of the 2022 Refuge Photo Contest will be announced. This year we received 182 entries from 48 photographers with lots of really great photos! Due to the inclement weather forecast, this event will be held via […]
Fall Festival at Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge Saturday, September 24, 10am-2pm
Celebrating National Public Lands Day After two years, the annual Fall Festival is back! It’s a day of family-friendly fun for all ages. Activities will include target archery and the hoverball shooting gallery, river seining in the Passaic, guided tree and nature walks, as well as crafts for kids. Play our giant jenga game, earn […]
Attention All Hummingbird Lovers
Right now is the peak of the Ruby Throated hummingbird season, so it’s especially important to keep your feeders clean and filled with fresh nectar. While you may not have seen many earlier in the season, due to nesting, they are plentiful now. Fledglings and adults alike are busy bulking up on insects and nectar […]
White Oak Trail Improvement Project – Progress Report
Phase II of the White Oak Trail renovation project, a distance of about 1,700 feet, is nearing completion. By the end of September this section of the trail will be reopened. Phase II entailed widening two bridges to seven feet, installing numerous drainage culverts, adding underlayment, and the spreading of 80 tons of stone dust on long stretches of trail. A […]