Bear sightings are increasing throughout New Jersey. Do you know what to do if you see a bear? Somerset County Parks Naturalist, Vanessa Darras will help you become educated in bear ‘etiquette’. You will learn the ‘bear necessities’ and walk away with a better understanding of bears.
The October program will be in-person and on Zoom.
Registration is required. https://ttsu.me/bears
In-person will be held at the Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center, 32 Pleasant Plains Road, Harding Township, NJ 07920. The Zoom logon will be emailed to all registrants Sunday, October 11 at Noon.
Sponsored by Friends of Great Swamp NWR and USFWS with generous support from the Marta Heflin Foundation.
2026 Photo Contest Awards Presentation
Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
Sunday, September 13, 2026
1:30 pm
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Meredith Martin
Judges Mike Anderson, Bill Koch, and Bonnie O’Connor will share comments on the winning pictures and photographers will be invited to tell the story behind their photographs.
Outdoor Pavilion, Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center 32 Pleasant Plains Road Harding Township, NJ
August 9, 2026, 1:30-3pm
Join Steven Weiner, recently retired scientist, as he uses his photography to take us into the world of the Osprey. They are specialists and everything about them, from head to toe, is designed for one thing – to catch fish. Steve will delve into their frenzied life – from hunting to the competition they face to breeding and raising the next generation.
The August program will be in-person and on Zoom.
Registration is required. Go to ttsu.me/osprey
In-person will be held at the Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center, 32 Pleasant Plains Road, Harding Township, NJ 07920
The Zoom logon will be emailed to all registrants Sunday, August 9 at Noon.
Sponsored by Friends of Great Swamp NWR and USFWS with generous support from the Marta Heflin Foundation
June 14, 2026, 1:30pm – 3:00pm
Ever wonder why your oak tree is losing leaves in August? Not sure if that bug in your backyard is a friend or foe? Is that vine a rare flower or poison ivy? Rutgers Plant Diagnostic Laboratory provides the residents of New Jersey with timely and accurate scientific analysis to solve your toughest plant mysteries. Join us to learn more about how precision diagnostics can help you maintain the beauty of the Garden State.
Sabrina Tirpak, Principal Laboratory Technician, Rutgers Plant Diagnostic Laboratory
The June program will be in-person and on Zoom. Registration is required. ttsu.me/rulab
In-person will be held at the Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center, 32 Pleasant Plains Road, Harding Township, NJ 07920
The Zoom logon will be emailed to all registrants Sunday, June 14 at Noon.
Sponsored by Friends of Great Swamp NWR and USFWS with generous support from the Marta Heflin Foundation
Second Sunday with Friends
May 10, 2026, 1:30 – 3pm
Have you ever wondered about things as you walked through the woods? Do woodpeckers ever get headaches? How do turtles breathe under water? Why do leaves turn colors in the fall and not just fall off? If you have ever wondered about these things, join volunteer Judi DiMaio and find out!
The May program will be in-person and on Zoom.
Registration is required at ttsu.me/answers. In-person will be held at the Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center, 32 Pleasant Plains Road, Harding Township, NJ 07920. The Zoom logon will be emailed to all registrants on Sunday, May 10 at Noon.
Sponsored by Friends of Great Swamp NWR and USFWS with generous support from the Marta Heflin Foundation.
Sunday, April 12, 2026 1:30pm — 3pm
Join us as Michael Horne, Manager of the Lenape National Wildlife Refuge Complex, describes his experiences with the ins and outs of habitat restorations projects.
This program is Zoom only!!
Register at ttsu.me/habitatrestore
Sponsored by Friends of Great Swamp NWR and USFWS and with generous support from the Martha Heflin Foundation.