The clearest way into the Universe
is through a forest wilderness.
--John Muir (1838-1914)
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It's Gala Time!
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Bill Koch, recently retired from a 34-year stint as refuge manager at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, will be the guest of honor at this year's Gala Celebration on October 29.
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The Great Swamp Watershed Association's 2014 Gala Celebration will take place on October 29 at the Westin Governor Morris in Morristown, NJ! With more than 300 people expected to attend, the gala represents this year's largest gathering of advocates and boosters supporting the protection of water and land in New Jersey's Great Swamp region. Whether you live, work, or play in this special corner of the state, you are welcome to come and enjoy this evening of celebration. Festivities begin at 6:00 p.m. and will include a cocktail hour, a dinner banquet, and an expansive silent auction. U.S. Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen (NJ-11), a longtime supporter of Great Swamp preservation efforts, will serve as the honorary chair of this year's event. Under his aegis, the gala will honor the 43-year career of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Refuge Manager Bill Koch. "I am delighted to be part of this year's Gala Celebration honoring Bill Koch," said Congressman Frelinghuysen. "His love for the Great Swamp, his fellow refuge employees, and the many volunteers has been a great mark of his service over his entire career. His stewardship at the Great Swamp will serve as a model for Wildlife Refuge managers across the country for many years to come." Koch recently retired from a 34-year stint as manager of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge where he won... Continue Reading...
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Each year GSWA closely monitors a number of local issues and activities of significance to the health and beauty of water and land in the Great Swamp Watershed region. New information about these "environmental hot spots" is published in Across the Watershed (print) and Across the Watershed...In Brief (electronic) as short updates under the Watershed Watch heading. Here are some of the latest updates--
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Seaton Hackney Stables (Loantaka Brook Reservation) The three-year, $300,000 New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) 319 grant for stormwater improvements at Seaton Hackney Stables (Morris Township) concluded this summer. Horses have all been moved a significant distance away from Loantaka Brook, and pastures are now drier and more useable. The vegetated area protecting the brook from stormwater runoff has been... Continue Reading...
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An aerial shot of Seaton Hackney Stables. Hundreds of newly planted trees are visible within the enhanced buffer area on the right side of the photo. This vegetation will help protect and improve water quality along Loantaka Brook. Credit: G. Scully
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Restore Meyersville (Long Hill Township)
The application to construct a new facility for the Central NJ Volleyball Academy of Flemington at the former Archie's site in Meyersville has been revised and resubmitted. The application now conforms to existing zoning requirements. The revised site plan must be approved, but no variances will be required. A review of the revised application shows... Continue Reading...
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Giralda Farms (Chatham Township)
The Open Space Institute is under contract to purchase 163 acres of open space at Giralda Farms for $14 million. The property, which was once part of the Geraldine R. Dodge estate, will be owned by Chatham Township and maintained by the Morris County Park Commission (MCPC). This is the largest contiguous undeveloped tract of land left available for preservation in... Continue Reading...
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50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act of 1964
 | | GSWA Executive Director Sally Rubin chats with U.S. Congressman Rodney Frelinhuysen (right) and Larry Fast (Long HIll Township) following a ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act of 1964. The ceremony took place outside the Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center at Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge on September 3, 2014. |
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Want to continue reading the story?
For complete media reports Wilderness Act 50th anniversary event, please refer to articles listed below under " In Case You Missed It..."
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Investors Bank Will Be A Gold-level Underwriter for GSWA's 2014 Gala Celebration
 | | Investors Bank of Madison has generously donated $5,000 to the Great Swamp Watershed Association in support of our 2014 Gala Celebration. In the photo above, GSWA Executive Director Sally Rubin (left) accepts the check from Investors Bank Branch Manager Nadine Vitro the Bottle Hill Day street festival in Madison, NJ, on September 27, 2014. Nadine also serves on GSWA's Board of Trustees. GSWA would like to thank Investors for their support of this year's event. Credit: GSWA/S. Reynolds |
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GSWA at Friends of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge 15th Annual Fall Fest
 | | GSWA volunteer Mike Duffy (left) and Membership & Education Associate Kelly Martin pose with dip nets. The dynamic duo offered an educational stream seining program during the Friend of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge's 2014 Fall Fest on September 6. Credit: GSWA/S. Rubin |
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GSWA & NY/NJ Baykeeper Staffs Join Forces To Clean Up North Pulaski Park
On Wednesday, September 17, 2014, staff members and volunteers from GSWA and NY/NJ Baykeeper met at North Pulaski Park in Passaic, NJ, for a trash cleanup day along the banks of the Passaic River. Currently, GSWA is collaborating with Baykeeper on a bacteria monitoring project along the Passaic River. This service event not only provided an opportunity for staff members from both organizations to get to know one another, it also helped GSWA staffers better understand what happens to water leaving the Great Swamp and flowing downstream to Newark Bay.  | | (l to r) Kelly Martin (GSWA), Sally Rubin (GSWA), Hazel England (GSWA), Sandra Meola (Baykeeper), Jessica Evans (Baykeeper), Debbie Mans (Baykeeper), Carlos Pomares (GSWA), Sue Levine (GSWA), Federico Nealon (GSWA), Cathy Lee (GSWA), Steve Reynolds (GSWA), Laura Kelm (GSWA). |
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Want to see more photos from our cleanup day?
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About Our Geological Past
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Sixteen thousand years ago, melt water from a receding glacier pooled to form Glacial Lake Passaic (approximation shown here). Water from that lake would eventually pierce through the ridge in Millington forming Millington Gorge and the main stem of the Passaic River.
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Did you know that our Great Swamp has not always been a swamp? In fact, the landscape of our region has changed constantly over the course of our planet's geological history. Here's the story! New Jersey's Great Swamp is nestled within a 55-square-mile natural basin, just 25 miles or so from New York City. It's a quiet, undisturbed place today. But it wasn't always that way. Millions of years ago the continent of Africa collided violently with North America pushing up great mountains to the north and west. Erosion has since cut them down to size. Later, when Africa broke away, hot molten rock flowed up from the earth's interior to create... Continue Reading...
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Want to finish reading this story?
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In Case You Missed It...
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50 years of Wilderness Act feted
From Echoes-Sentinel: Echoes-Sentinel Staff Writer Mike Condon outlines the festivities that took place at Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge merking the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act of 1964. Particular attention is given to the impact that the Swamp's fereal wilderness status has had on Harding Township. Read the Article...
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Secretary of the Interior Helps Celebrate 50th Anniversary of Conservation Laws at Great Swamp
From TAPintoChatham: Highlights from the address delivered by U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Sally Jewell. Jewell was the keynote speaker at a ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act of 1964 help at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge on September 3, 2014.
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The Wilderness Act at 50: A New Jersey conservationist's son looks back with pride (Opinion)
From Star-Ledger: In recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act of 1964, Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen (NJ-11) offers a synopsis of the impact that efforts to save and preserve New Jersey's Great Swamp have had on the our state and the nation as a whole. Read the Article...
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Do you enjoy reading this eNewsletter?
Do you think we're doing a good job of protecting the waters and the land of the Great Swamp Watershed? If so, then please help us continue our work by sending in your gift of support right now!
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Swamp Explorers for Kids, 10/13
10:30AM-Noon. Parents can hang back and let the kids lead the way during this kid-centric day hike. In the spirit of Columbus Day, staff nature-nut Kelly Martin will be armed with magnifying glasses, binoculars, nets, and more to teach aspiring explorers about wildlife in the Great Swamp region, and how to find it! Recommended for kids 6 to 10 years old.
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Build-Your-Own Rain Barrel Workshop, 10/16
8AM-9:30AM. When it pours, it stores! Learn how to build and install your own rain barrel. Use it to capture and store the rain running through your home's downspout and you'll routinely have 55 gallons of free water to use around your property. GSWA will walk you through the simple construction process. Cost: $75/rain barrel kit.
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2014 GSWA Gala Celebration, 10/29
6PM-9:30PM. GSWA celebrates its 33rd year of service to the environment and local communities in New Jersey's Great Swamp Watershed region. Please join us at the Westin Governor Morris in Morristown as we honor Bill Koch, former manager and project leader at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. Gala festivities will include our annual silent auction, a cocktail hour, dinner, and presentations.
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Breakfast Briefing: Historical Land Uses And Their Legacies, 11/11
8AM-9:30AM. Thom Almendinger, director of stewardship at the Duke Farm Foundation will stop by to teach us about some of the innovative approaches to land stewardship being implemented at Duke Farms in Hillsborough, NJ. Like many property owners, land managers at Duke Farms must address the effects that historical land use-particularly agriculture- have had on the current landscape. Learn what Duke Farms is doing to address these issues and take home some ideas for your own property..
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Follow GSWA on these social media sites for breaking news and special posts...
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Great Swamp Watershed Association
Protecting our waters and our land for more than 30 years
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Street Address: 568 Tempe Wick Road, Morristown, NJ 07960 - Map It!Mailing Address: P.O. Box 300, New Vernon, NJ 07976
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For more than 30 years, the Great Swamp Watershed Association has been dedicated to protecting and improving water resources New Jersey's Great Swamp Watershed region. We do this by monitoring and maintaining streams and open space, advocating for intelligent land use and environmental policy, and educating communities about water and its effect on the health and natural beauty of the local environment.
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Copyright � 2013. All Rights Reserved.
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