Thank You Mosquito Hawks (aka Dragonflies)
Dragonflies are not a pesky insect! On the contrary, they devour insect pests, eating hundreds of mosquitoes, biting flies and gnats a day. Bring on the Mosquito Hawks! This is an amazing insect. They are among the fastest and most agile of flying insects. They can hover motionless, fly upside down or backwards, and change […]
Spotted Lanternfly Season Is Here
Over the winter, we all tried hard to locate and destroy egg masses of the invasive Spotted Lanternfly, but guaranteed, we missed some! They are hatching now and will soon be visible as tiny black and white spotted nymphs. During their fourth stage, before reaching adulthood in July, they increase in size and develop red coloration with […]
Guided Interpretive Walks for Groups Resume
Volunteers are once again offering guided tours, upon request, to welcome and educate visitors. Walk leaders are knowledgeable about the geology and history of the Refuge, well as the plants, animals and ecology of the Swamp and can customize a tour to accommodate a range of interests and age groups. In addition to school and […]
Announcing 2022 Refuge Photo Contest
Sponsored by Friends of Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge Photo by Spencer Duncan 2020 Enter the 2022 Refuge Photo Contest and share your special moments captured at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge! All amateur photographers are invited to submit up to a total of five digital photos spanning the categories below. All photos must […]
Second Sunday – Coyote Cries
A Zoom Second Sunday with Friends of Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge Sunday, March 13, 1:30-3:00 pm Even if you’ve never seen a coyote – chances are, they have seen you! • Coyotes are found in every county in New Jersey and nearly every corner of North America. And not just in rural areas—they are found in suburbs and thrive in cities! • They are […]
Great Backyard Bird Count at Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
Join us for three days of birding fun February 18 – 20, 2022 The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is an international event that is free, fun and easy for everyone. It engages bird watchers of all ages and skill levels in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of bird populations around the world. […]
Second Sunday – Strike Teams Eradicate Invasive Crazy Ants From Island Refuge
From the Pacific Islands … Success! Strike Teams Eradicate Invasive Crazy Ants From Island Refuge Sunday, February 13, 1:30 p.m. on Zoom Join Kate Toniolo, Superintendent of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument, as she relates the incredible success story of eradicating the Yellow Crazy Ant from Johnston Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, about 820 miles southwest […]
A Spot and Crush Winter Spotted Lanternfly Egg Hunt
Photo by NPS Saturday, January 15, anytime between 11:00 a.m. – Noon Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center Pavilion With the onset of winter, the adult Spotted Lanternflies have died. But they have left behind the next generation in thousands of egg masses, each one containing 30 to 50 eggs. Join experts Tony Cullen from the USDA […]
Second Sunday – Where’s the Water?
Photo by Tom Gula That’s a question that volunteers at the Wildlife Observation Center hear often from visitors, especially after they have visited the elevated Chandler S. Robbins Memorial Viewing Platform, hoping to see an abundance of waterfowl. To answer that question, the Friends are delighted to welcome Refuge Manager Mike Horne for our first Second Sunday […]
Friends Nature Shop Double Discount Days Extended
Our Double Discount Days were so successful, we are extending them to the next two weekends as well. Start your holiday shopping early and help support the Friends – and the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. Our shelves are restocked and we just received new nature-themed silicone jar openers and a variety of wooden ornaments, […]