Photo Taken by Hazel England, GSWA Director of Education and Land Steward

Interpretive Hikes Offered to Explore GSWA Property 

Major renovations happening at the CMA bring big environmental improvements

MORRISTOWN, NEW JERSEY (October 12, 2020) — The Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA) invites individuals and families to become a member and enjoy a guided hike at their Conservation Management Area (CMA) on Tiger Lily Lane in Harding Township on Sunday, October 18. The event runs 1:00-3:00 p.m. and GSWA staff will be on hand to lead socially distant hikes for new members. Current and non-members are also encouraged to attend to enjoy a visit to the CMA for self-guided hikes. Cider and donuts will be provided to all, along with some surprises. Registration and more information can be found at https://www.GreatSwamp.org.

“We are excited to offer new members a behind-the-scenes look at our CMA on a crisp, beautiful Fall day, but please excuse our appearance,” stated Hazel England, GSWA Director of Education and CMA Land Steward. “We’re delighted to show off some of the major restorations occurring on the property this month thanks to a federal program that was over a decade in the making.”

A series of land acquisitions beginning in 1996 led to GSWA’s ownership of this 73-acre tract of forested wetlands that is protected and stewarded by the organization. With over 3-1/2 miles of interconnected boardwalk and mulched trails, there are two trailheads on Tiger Lily Lane. One trail begins approximately halfway down the road, with the main trail head found at the end on the cul-de-sac.

The property is open to the public for passive recreation such as hiking, exploring, and bird watching and is also utilized by GSWA to provide environmental education to students as well as local universities for research including mammal studies.

“2020 has certainly had its challenges,” stated Sally Rubin, GSWA Executive Director. “Yet during the pandemic, we managed to hold two successful annual fundraisers; our third annual music festival and a virtual gala along with virtual programming for over a thousand participants. And we want to keep that momentum moving forward by inspiring more individuals and families to understand what we do and join our mission for clean water and a healthy environment!”

For everyone’s safety, GSWA follows strict COVID-19 safety protocols requiring all participants to wear masks and adhere to social distancing protocols. Anyone experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms or having been in contact with anyone who has recently tested positive, please stay home, and visit the CMA another day.

Along with monies received from fundraising events and grants, GSWA relies on the generosity of their members to help them continue providing water quality monitoring and environmental education to students and adults, and to steward the land for generations to come. Register at https://www.GreatSwamp.org.

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About the Great Swamp Watershed Association

Founded in 1981, the Great Swamp Watershed Association (GSWA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and improving the water resources of the Passaic River region, from the Great Swamp headwaters to Newark Bay, for present and future generations. Through education, advocacy, science, land preservation, and stewardship, in collaboration with partners, we work to instill our communities with an awareness of water’s effect on health and the beauty of the environment, from source to sea.  The organization typically educates over 4,000 school children and adults, monitors 30 stream locations, and conducts approximately 50 public events each year.