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

News Archive


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 and Carolyn Rubinfeld from NJ DEP on Saturday, January 15 to learn how to spot these egg masses and effective ways to destroy them.

The program will take place at the Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center Pavilion. Stop by any time between 11:00 and Noon. Our experts will point out real egg masses and demonstrate how to crush them. Wear boots and dress warmly. The program will take place outside the Visitor Center and focus on several trees along the service road. Bring binoculars if you have them to spot higher up egg masses.

We hope you will take this new-found knowledge back to your own home and help stop the spread of this destructive insect pest.

Masks are recommended for the program. Masks are required inside the Visitor Center which is open from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

More information on this destructive invasive insect may be found on this website.
https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/pi/prog/pests-diseases/spotted-lanternfly/

 


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 program of 2022. He will discuss the philosophy and facts about water management at Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.

    • Where does the water come from?
    • Where does it go?
    • And what happens in between to benefit habitat and wildlife.

There will also be plenty of time to ask questions. This will be a virtual program on Zoom and registration is required.

Second Sunday, January 9, 2022, 1:30-3pm via Zoom

Sign up here.

The Zoom link will be sent to all registrants at Noon on September 9th.

Second Sundays are sponsored by Friends of Great Swamp NWR with generous support from the Marta Heflin Foundation.

Hummingbird Wooden Ornament
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, all made in the USA, that make wonderful stocking stuffers or hostess gifts. Take 10% off all purchases, 20% for members.
 
Double Discount Days are from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on:
  • Friday, December 10 through Sunday, December 12
  • Friday, December 17 through Sunday, December 19. 
 
During the upcoming holidays, the Visitor Center will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but open on Sunday, December 26. The Visitor Center will also be closed New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, but open on Sunday, January 2, 2022! The Wildlife Observation Center and refuge trails will be open on all days, sunrise to sunset.

Via Zoom
Saturday, December 4, 2021
4:30 – 5:30 p.m.

The 2021 Annual Meeting of Members will take place remotely via Zoom; members may also dial in by phone. The meeting is open to all current members of Friends of Great Swamp NWR. Registration is required by November 30, 2021. Register online HERE. The Zoom logon will be sent via email on December 4 at Noon, along with the Minutes from the 2020 Annual Meeting.

The agenda will include reports from the President and Board members, approval of 2020 Minutes, and the election of directors. The business meeting will be followed by a presentation by member Robert Lin using his photographs from Great Swamp. He will offer photo tips as well as some fun pictures and bird stories.

We hope you will be able to join us. If you have any questions email info@friendsofgreatswamp.org.

Double Discount Days!

Mark Your Calendar for our annual Double Discount Days in the Friends Nature Shop from Friday, December 3 through Sunday, December 5, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Take 10% off all purchases; 20% for members. Start your holiday shopping early and help support the Friends – and the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.

Birds, First Place. Chuck Hantis

The winners in our 2021 Photo Contest were announced in a virtual (Zoom) presentation on Saturday, Oct 2.  This year’s entries are some of the best we’ve seen in years, and this is reflected in the quality of the winning photographs.  Many of the winners shared their comments on how they made the shot, and our judges joined in with their own perspectives on what made the picture so good. 

You can see a video of the entire presentation, including the photographer’s and judge’s comments, on our YouTube channel here.  You can also view a gallery of the winning photographs right here on our website on the Photo Contest Page.

Thanks again to everyone for participating and we’ll see you again for next year’s contest.

Birds – 2nd Place, 2020. Spencer Duncan: “Hummingbird Chicks Ready to Leave the Nest”

…going to be announced at the 2021 Friends of Great Swamp NWR Photo Contest virtual awards presentation.  Login and join the Zoom meeting on Saturday, Oct 2 at 3:00 PM. and see the best of the best in each category.  Photographers and our judges will share their comments on the winning pictures, which include some of the best nature photography we’ve seen in years.

Join in with the Zoom login info below.  But don’t worry if you miss it, we will add a gallery of the winning photos to our website as we have since 2011.  And maybe you’ll find the  inspiration to start on next year’s contest.  It’s a great time of year at Great Swamp.

Topic: Photo Contest Awards Presentation
Time: Oct 2, 2021 03:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 811 5445 4348
Passcode: 727219

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