Doodle, Draw & Discover New Jersey Native Flowers
A Fun and Different Second Sunday in July Doodle, Draw & Discover New Jersey Native Flowers Sunday, July 11, 1:30 pm on Zoom Learn to draw colorful native flowers while exploring the many ways they help support the health and well-being of New Jersey’s environment, wildlife and people. Our instructor is illustrator and Rutgers Environmental […]
Calling All Photographers for the “Pop-Up” Wilderness Area Photo Contest
The Friends, working with Fish and Wildlife Service staff, are creating new signs for the four Wilderness Area Kiosks at Great Swamp NWR. As part of this project, we are looking for a really great photo for the signs. So, this year we are including a special category, separate from the annual photo contest, in […]
Introducing “Agents of Discovery” at the Wildlife Observation Center
Did you know, you could play, explore, and learn about the refuge from your phone? Friends of Great Swamp is introducing an exciting new nature activity at the Wildlife Observation Center called Agents of Discovery. It’s a free smartphone app with exciting challenges to help you discover more about the great outdoors. Download the app […]
Creating An Energy Efficient House. Sunday, April 11, 1:30 – 3:00 pm
Join self proclaimed conservation nerds Michael Bianchi and Joan Maccari on an adventure. They started on a project to renovate and modernize their Madison, NJ home, learned a lot along the way, and ended up with an energy efficient Passive House. Follow their journey and discover some energy saving changes you can make in your […]
Managing the Menace – Spotted Lanternflies Are Here
Just what we needed – another exotic invasive insect species. And although it’s very colorful, it’s very destructive. This plant hopper feeds on 70 different types of plants and trees, particularly some economically important plants including fruit, ornamental and woody trees. It also secretes a sugary, sticky substance which can affect our quality of life […]
Bald Eagle Nesting Time Is Soon
There has been a great deal of publicity in the news media recently around the successful resurgence of the bald eagle in New Jersey. For the first time, more than 200 pairs of bald eagles have been recorded nesting and they are now confirmed to be nesting in all 21 counties. This is quite a […]
Friends Resuming Public Programs in 2021
Second Sunday, January 10, 2021, 1:30 – 3:00 pm The Friends are resuming their popular Second Sunday programs – virtually of course. Join us on Sunday, January 10 for a presentation on dragonflies and damselflies by naturalist Dorothy Smullen. Registration is required at ttsu.me/dragons, Zoom logon information will be sent a day ahead. Winter Walks, […]
A Unique and Lasting Gift
These are challenging times for holiday shopping, but here’s an idea. Consider purchasing an engraved commemorative brick which would be placed on the patio at the Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center. What a great way to honor a loved one or someone special in your life. Share an inspirational quote, words of wisdom, or your feelings […]
Go Exploring for Witch Hazel
The asters and the goldenrods are fading into Fall, the last of the season’s flowering plants. No! Wait! The lovely native shrub witch hazel is now coming into full bloom. But you have to look closely. The leaves of the witch hazel are turning a lovely lemon yellow and may obscure the flowers. But you […]
Celebrating National Wildlife Refuge Week
National Wildlife Refuge Week, observed the second full week of October each year, celebrates the great network of lands and waters that conserves and protects Americans’ precious wildlife heritage. During a normal year, we would celebrate by holding The Big Sit!, leading Sunset Walks, and enjoying a special Second Sunday program. This year we are […]