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

News Archive

Second Sunday with Friends, March 10, 2024, 1:30 – 3:00

Science Writing Workshop with Chris Alice Kratzer

Learn the fundamentals of science communication with an award-winning author! This engaging workshop includes tools and tips on how to effectively use written language to share scientific information with a general audience.

The March program will be in-person at the Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center, 32 Pleasant Plains Road, Harding Township, NJ 07920 and also virtually on Zoom. Registration is required.

https://ttsu.me/writing

Sponsored by Friends of Great Swamp NWR and USFWS with generous support from the Marta Heflin Foundation

Second Sunday, February 11, 1:30 – 3:00

Join staff member Jared Green as he gives a tour of the Complex Refuges: Cherry Valley NWR, Great Swamp NWR, Shawangunk Grasslands NWR and Wallkill River NWR and the habitats and wildlife.

The February program will be held virtually only on Zoom. Registration is required. https://ttsu.me/complex

The Zoom logon will be emailed to all registrants on Sunday, February 11, 2024 at Noon.

Sponsored by Friends of Great Swamp NWR and USFWS with generous support from the Marta Heflin Foundation.

Second Sunday, January 14, 1:30 – 3:00, Lichen: their diversity, importance and role as indicators of air pollution.

Dorothy Smullen’s presentation about Lichen will focus on their diversity, importance, and role as indicators of air pollution.

Dorothy is a retired HS science teacher who as been a Nature and Garden Club speaker for 35 years, past president of NJ Mycological Association, and former board member of the Friends of Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. Dorothy is also a teacher/naturalist at New Jersey Audubon.

The January program will be in-person at Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center and also virtually on Zoom. Registration is required. 

ttsu.me/lichen 

The Zoom logon will be emailed to all registrants on Sunday, January 14 at Noon.

Second Sunday, November 12, 2023, 1:30pm– 3:00pm

A History of People and the Great Swamp: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly by historian, Pat Wells.

From the time Ancient Lake Passaic drained to leave a swampy remnant through our current times, humans have interacted with and impacted the Great Swamp and the living things within it.  Sometimes this special habitat has been taken for granted, sometimes vilified, sometimes considered a wasteland, and sometimes treasured.  Join us for a lively history of the Great Swamp and the people who have used it, abused it, tried to obliterate it, and finally saved it.

THIS WILL BE A HYBRID PROGRAM: – in-person at the Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center (32 Pleasant Plains Road, Harding Township, NJ) – on Zoom (log-on information will be sent to registrants on Sunday, November 12 at noon) Registration is required for either in-person or Zoom.

Sign up at ttsu.me/greatswamphistory

October 8, 2023 1:30 – 3:00 pm

Bats stir fascination, fear, and intrigue. Marilyn Kitchell, FWS, specialist in bats and former biologist and Visitor Services Manager at Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, will explore the myths, the fallacies, the diversity, intrigue, and ecological plight of these creatures of the night.

Marilyn is a wildlife biologist now working in public affairs for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s headquarters Office of Communications. She earned her master’s studying Indiana bats at Great Swamp NWR, was previously the refuge’s biologist and visitor services specialist, and spent two years leading communications for the Service’s white-nose syndrome program, which heads the international response to this devastating disease of hibernating bats. 

THIS WILL BE A HYBRID PROGRAM:

– in-person in the pavilion at the Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center (32 Pleasant Plains Road, Harding Township, NJ)

– on Zoom (log-on information will be sent to registrants on Sunday, October 8 at noon)

Registration is required for either in person or Zoom. Sign up at ttsu.me/batsatgsnwr

Second Sunday Event September 10, 2023 1:30pm – 3:00pm

Professor John Harris will discuss his book Returning North with the Spring: Retracing the Journey of Naturalist Edwin Way Teale.  Harris visited the same places on the same dates as Teale recounted in his famous 1947 spring journey from Florida to New England. Learn about the changes and surprises Harris found. The book is available from University of Florida Press.

THIS WILL BE A HYBRID PROGRAM: – in-person in the pavilion at the Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center, 32 Pleasant Plains Road, Harding Township NJ – or on Zoom. Log-on information will be sent to all registrants on Sunday, September 10 at noon. Registration is required for either in-person or Zoom.

Sign up at https://ttsu.me/sssept