November 2019



"The environment is where we all meet; where we all have a mutual interest; it is the one thing all of us share." 
    
-
Lady Bird Johnson
  
What do You Look for in a Charity?

We are proud to announce that Charity Navigator has given GSWA a 4-star rating (the highest a nonprofit can earn) and also listed us as one of NJ's top 10 highly rated charities! In addition, we received a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. These distinctions convey strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency.   

It's important that our donors trust we are using our funding wisely to accomplish our mission of protecting and improving the water resources of the Passaic River region, from the Great Swamp headwaters to Newark Bay.  A donation to GSWA is a gift you can give with confidence. Thank you for supporting clean water and environmental education!

Announcing the Great Swamp Partners


The Great Swamp Partners alliance was formed to bring together like minded environmental organi zations associated with the Great Swamp, working together to provide a greater impact. 

December 3, 2019 marks the 60th anniversary of the first newspaper article that sparked what is still referred to today as the greatest grass-roots effort ever made by residents to protect a natural habitat. To celebrate, the Great Swamp Partners have organized exciting public events, briefly outlined under "Upcoming Events." To learn more about the Great Swamp Partners and the upcoming events, click here.
TOMORROW NIGHT: Attend the First of a Series of Environmental Talks by Dr. Doug Tallamy

Wed., November 20
7:30 PM
Christ the King Church 
16 Blue Mill Rd.
New Vernon, NJ



Visit the Harding Township Environmental Commission tomorrow night to hear Dr. Doug Tallamy in the first of a series of talks that will be given to encourage new thinking about our landscapes - thinking that will enhance Harding's ecology, support our rural heritage, and reduce the maintenance cost of properties.  Refreshments will be provided.   
Black Friday - Cyber Monday - #GivingTuesday


Created in 2012 as a simple idea, #GivingTuesday is a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past seven years, this idea has become a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. 

What will you do this #GivingTuesday?

Environment New Jersey to Honor Rep. Mikie Sherrill
Monday, November 25, 1-2 PM
119 Kitchell Pond Rd., Loantaka Brook Reservation, Morristown, NJ

Representative Mikie Sherrill will be recognized by Environment New Jersey for her commitment to New Jersey's parks and public lands by voting f or the  permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and for cosponsoring current  legislation to permanently fully fund the program. Learn about Rep. Sherrill's support of the "successful conservation and recreation program and see the benefits of LWCF support first-hand at Loantaka Brook Reservation, one of the many local parks to benefit from LWCF grant money." 

Add a Smile to Your Amazon Shopping

Shop through Amazon "Smile" for that same shopping experience you've come to expect. And when you select GSWA as your preferred charity, we receive 0.5%  of your purchase amount through their matching gifts program.  Enable this option by following these simple steps:

1) Visit  smile.amazon.com

2) Sign in and select Great Swamp Watershed Association as your charity of choice.

3) Begin shopping!  Once you've selected your charity everything else works the same. Checkout as you normally would, and at no extra cost to you, Amazon will donate 0.5% of your purchase to GSWA.

4) Tell your friends!  After you complete your purchase, the confirmation page provides an option to share this information with your friends on Facebook, Twitter or email. 

Happy shopping!

In This Issue
Upcoming Events
Post Turkey-Day CMA Clean & Hike
Sun, 12/1, 9AM-12PM
GSWA Conservation Management Area (CMA)
91 Tiger Lily Ln.
Morristown, NJ

We'll start off by tidying up the trails for winter, followed by an end-to-end tour of the the trails and new boardwalks. Come work off your Thanksgiving meal! 

Festival of Trees*
12/6-12/29, 9AM-4:30PM
Somerset Cty. Park Comm. 
190 Lord Stirling Rd.
Basking Ridge, NJ

Indoor exhibit of themed trees decorated by community groups and individuals. Live holiday music, Snowflake Café. Suggested donation $5. Info: 908 722-1200 ext. 5002.
Hawks, Eagles & Falcons, oh my!*
Sun, 12/8, 11AM
The Raptor Trust
1452 White Bridge Rd.
Millington, NJ

Learn about wingspans, super speed, precision vision and more about these daytime raptors. Hear Raptor Trust success stories Register at TheRaptorTrust.org or 908-647-1091.
Refuge Talk & Tour* 
Sat, 12/14, 10AM-12PM
Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Bluebird Parking Lot
197 Pleasant Plains Rd.
Harding Township, NJ

Join us for a special behind-the-scenes hike, followed by a talk on the history of the Great Swamp and the jetport that threatened its very existence. 

Movie Showing 
Saving the Great Swamp: Battle to Defeat the Jetport*
Sun, 12/15, 1-3 PM
NJ Audubon, Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary 
11 Hardscrabble Rd. Bernardsville, NJ

This award winning documentary depicts the epic battle that led to the preservation of the Great Swamp. Registration is required: 908-396-6386. 
Jockey Hollow Then & Now Hike*
Sat, 12/21, 1-3 PM
Morristown Nat'l Historical Park Jockey Hollow Visitor Center,
(appx.) 600 Tempe Wick Rd.
Morristown, NJ

Explore Jockey Hollow's historic past, its present, and discover what might have been if the landmark victory over the jetport never happened

Saving the Swamp Walk & Talk*
Sat, 12/21, 2-3:30 PM
Morris Cty. Park Comm.
247 Southern Blvd.
Chatham, NJ

A stunning slideshow of the Great Swamp wildlife and a crisp afternoon stroll along the trails with a special visit from a LIVE OWL from The Raptor Trust. Register at: 973-635-6629. 
*Great Swamp Partner Event
A Tip for Watershed-Friendly Living
Fix leaky faucets and toilets. A leaky faucet that drips at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year. That's the amount of water needed to take more than 180 showers!


Thank You to Our 2019 Gala Sponsors:

New Jersey American Water
Atlantic Health System - Normandy Real Estate Partners, Pfizer
Adrienne & Reed Auerbach - BASF - PSE&G - Schenck, Price, Smith & King


Help us continue our work for the community and the environment
by making a donation today.

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Great Swamp Watershed Association
The Passaic River Waterkeeper Alliance Affiliate

Protecting our waters and our land for more than 35 years
Street Address: 568 Tempe Wick Road, Morristown, NJ  07960 - Map It!
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 300, New Vernon, NJ  07976