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 going virtual. The Friends have created a Zoom presentation in celebration of the Refuge System, our Refuges in New Jersey and in the Lenape Complex, with photos of past Sunset Walks. Take a look at this short video which highlights the beauty of your national wildlife refuges.
Follow the Friends on Facebook. There will be a new post every day during National Wildlife Refuge Week highlighting sightings and sights here are Great Swamp NWR.
Come visit! Although the Visitor Center remains closed, the trails are open for all to enjoy from sunrise to sunset.
Saturday, September 26 is National Public Lands Day, a day to celebrate the millions of acres of America’s public lands that we use for recreation, education, and just plain enjoyment. Chances are there is a public land not far from where you live. It may be a local, state or national park. It might be a historic building, community garden, golf course or ski area! Here in New Jersey, we have five Federally managed national wildlife refuges, all of which are public lands. Can you name them all?
Take time this fall to celebrate our public lands. Go outside and enjoy a park, refuge or public area near you. Check to see if there are ways that you can volunteer to help restore, improve and maintain these areas. Say thank you to those who had the foresight and dedication to set these lands aside for all of us to enjoy. And remember to protect and preserve these lands for the enjoyment of generations to come.
Take a look here at a video showing all 135 entries in our 2020 Photo Contest, another way to enjoy and appreciate the diversity and beauty of Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge – Your national wildlife refuge!
Come along with Friends volunteer Tom Gula for a summer walk along the Bockoven Trail at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge as he points out interesting things you would see, including a newly hatched snapping turtle and a young racoon exploring the woods.
Friends and staff of Great Swamp NWR pay tribute to Rich Guadagno, a recipient of the Department of Interior’s Valor Award for his heroism on September 11, 2001
On September 29, 2012, family members, Refuge staff, and Friends gathered to dedicate the Visitor Center pavilion in memory of Richard J. Guadagno and to celebrate what would have been his fiftieth birthday. The dedication included the unveiling of a memorial rock and a plaque with the following inscription.
RICHARD J. GUADAGNO
SEPTEMBER 26, 1962 – SEPTEMBER 11, 2001
Richard J. Guadagno, a U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) employee, passionately devoted his life to the conservation of natural resources. He was the Refuge Manager of Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge in California and a trained law enforcement officer when his flight, United Airlines 93, was hijacked by terrorists on September 11, 2001. Rich was among the brave passengers and flight crew whose heroic actions prevented further tragedy that fateful day.
Rich grew up in New Jersey and graduated from Rutgers University in 1984. After several positions with NJ Fish & Wildlife and USFWS, his first refuge manager position, as a trainee, was obtained at Great Swamp in 1988. Rich managed four more refuges before moving to Humboldt Bay NWR in 2000.
WE WILL NEVER FORGET
If you’re stuck at home with the kids, or even by yourself, here’s a chance to get out to the Refuge and tour the Wildlife Observation Center…virtually, that is. Volunteer Susan Katz offers some background and points out a number of the natural wonders to be found in one of the most popular sites of the Great Swamp NWR.
This, and other videos, are available on our YouTube channel. Click on the “Subscribe” button to receive alerts of new videos as they are added.
The Nominating Committee of the Friends of Great Swamp NWR is looking for potential candidates to replace current board members who are leaving the board at the end of the year.
Ours is a working board and we encourage anyone with interests and skills in one or more of the following areas to contact us.
- Finance: accounting, budgeting, QuickBooks
- Communications and social media
- Technology
- Interpretation/ Program development
- Construction projects leadership
- Nonprofit leadership experience
- Inspiring volunteers
Board members serve two-year terms and are expected to attend monthly evening board meetings as well as serve on one or more committees.
If you are intrigued and/or would like additional information, please email Kathy Woodward at candk@woodwards.us or Randi Emmer at rsemmer@optimum.net by August 15.
A member of the Nominating Committee will contact you to discuss the role of board director. Elections will be held at the Friends Annual Business Meeting, December 5, 2020.
We need an energetic, committed board team to move us forward. We would love to hear from you!