As we celebrate womens history month, we reflect on how the dedicated efforts of helen fenske helped to conserve the area that is now great swamp national wildlife refuge in basking ridge, n. Morris countys great swamp outdoor education center. The city of paterson, located on the passaic river in new jersey was once one of the mightiest industrial cities of the united states. Today, the great swamp national wildlife refuge consists of nearly 8,000 acres of a number of different habitats, as well as over 200 species of birds, muskrat, fish, turtles, fox, deer and those beautiful. The great swamp national wildlife refuge has a small staff and limited availability to give tours and educational programs. Their programs serve all who live, work, or play in the great swamp watershed in morris county, new jersey.
Knitting betty, the great swamp devil and more tales from central new jersey american. From our great swamp roots, new jersey conservation foundation emerged as a strong advocate for land and an effective land conservancy. Though called a swamp, the great swamp national wildlife refuge and adjoining public lands encompass a great variety of other habitats as well. Program series focuses on history of the great swamp. The great swamp national wildlife refuge started life as the wisconsin glacier receded and created glacial lake passaic over 15,000 years ago. Welcome to the friends of great swamp nwr website our independent, nonprofit organization is committed to protecting and supporting great swamp national wildlife refuge. The great swamp partners invite the public to experience the beauty of the great swamp and all that it offers at the following programs.
The great swamp, also known as the great patterson swamp, is located in eastern putnam and dutchess counties, in the u. Battle to defeat the jetport is a new onehour documentary about the events, people and politics behind the struggle to preserve a rural area of new jersey between 1959 and 1968. A remnant of a glacial lake in southern morris and northern somerset counties, the great swamp forms the source of the passaic river. The great swamp experience is a brandnew interactive exhibit located downstairs in the somerset county environmental education center. When the lake eventually drained northward, it formed the passaic river, leaving behind the rich soil from which the great swamp flora would grow. Great swamp outdoor education center chatham, new jersey. Each request will be evaluated on an individual basis depending on staff and volunteer availability. The everglades, florida, and the politics of paradise. The great swamp was created approximately 15,000 years ago by the melting waters of the wisconsin glacier, which poured into the natural basin of this area and created prehistoric lake passaic.
Weve been here many times before, but today was special. The great swamp outdoor education center gsoec consists of a 44 acre portion of the great swamp managed since 1963 by the morris county parks department. On the opposite, eastern end of the swamp lies the great swamp outdoor education center. The great swamp plays host to nature lovers via hiking trails, boardwalks, and blinds.
Passaic river was listed as the second most polluted river in america. Fenske visitor center 32 pleasant plains road harding township, nj 9734259510. The great swamp watershed association, founded in 1981, works to protect the entire 55squaremile 140 km 2 watershed that surrounds the swamp. Outdoors and recreation in northwest new jersey skylands. Robert meyner, who with tobin continued pushing for the great swamp airport even after it appeared to be dead. Long hill township, morris countys southeasternmost municipality, covers 12. The locals call it the big hairy man, and he has even been spotted as far away as hillside. The two men claimed they first heard the growling of their dogs by the swamp.
Great swamp national wildlife refuge in new jersey on. The great swamp watershed association is a memberbased, nonprofit, 501c3 conservation organization dedicated to preserving and protecting water and natural areas. Named for a ridge of the watchung mountains, the township also encompasses parts of the great swamp and the passaic river valley. The gsoec hosts guided nature walks, school, scout and public educational programs. From 19th century dairies and orchards, to a proposed jetport, to a national wildlife refuge, the history of the great swamp has been integral to that of the passaic river watershed. Friends of the great swamp 148 pleasant plains road basking ridge, nj 07920. About friends of the great swamp friends of the great swamp.
Geological history new jersey s great swamp is nestled within a 55squaremile natural basin, about 25 miles from new york city. Newark airport wasnt originally planned for newarkelizabeth nj. Selfguiding trail books are available, and there is a connecting trail to the. Opened in 1963 by the morris county park commission, this teaching center for natural history uses the great swamp as a outdoor classroom. One of the them is the great swamp national wildlife refuge located in new jersey and not far from the bright lights of new york city. Great swamp national wildlife refuge protects 7,800 acres in morris county, nj. Great swamp outdoor education center grounds closes as. Dec 12, 2015 cedar swamp trail great cedar swamp division cape may national wildlife refuge ocean view dennis township, cape may county, nj distance 1. Great swamp outdoor education center, chatham, new jersey. For more information and directions to the great swamp outdoor education center, visit or call 973.
To schedule your next party, contact the preferred site. Popular nj history books meet your next favorite book. I live in basking ridge, about 10 minutes away from morristown, nj. Surrounded by multilane highways and asphaltcovered suburban sprawl, the great swamp is a vital oasis in morris county, both for countless.
No picnic area on the refuge grounds, see the below excerpts from the refuge manual. From great swamp committee to nj conservation foundation. Gswa and its partners in our historic watershed and across the passaic river region are excited to provide you with a listing of freetothepublic environmental events happening locally. The great swamp nwr is located in morris county, new jersey, about 26 miles west of manhattans times square. Great swamp national wildlife refuge new jersey 2020. Great swamp national wildlife refuge is located only 26 miles west of new york city s times square. Great swamp conservancy, canastota, ny frogs and feathers, trees and flowers, can be found at natures best by walking the bluebird trails at the great swamp conservancy. Over several years, the great swamp committee raised over one million dollars, enough to purchase nearly 2,600 acres. First wastewater treatment plant in new jersey was constructed in newark. Apparently, the port authority was considering making a major airport in my town near the great swamp in the 1960s, as a solution to ewr. Great swamp national wildlife refuge new jersey 2020 all. Great swamp the great swamp tour consists of two loops passing through and around the great swamp national wildlife refuge.
Established in 1960, it is one of more than 550 refuges in the national wildlife refuge system the refuge was declared a national natural landmark in may 1966. The great swamp outdoor education center grounds, trails and parking lot will be closed beginning friday, april 3, the morris county park commission said wednesday, april 1. An intriguing story involving an adventurous boy in the okefenokee swamp who discovers a few survivors of a lost tribe of native americans hidden in a remote corner of the water jungle. A search for creatures at great swamp national wildlife refuge in morris county n. Great swamp outdoor education center morris county parks. The birth of new jerseys environmental movement began with a news scoop.
I am referring to the 1967 version of the mystery of the great swamp set in the great okefenokee swamp. The fight began when the powerful port of new york authority announced plans to construct a huge 10,000 acre jetport 26 miles west of new york city in a littleknown place. This wilderness area consists of 3,660 acres in the state of new jersey, and is a popular destination for hikers, wildlife enthusiasts, birdwatchers and paddlers. The great swamp wildlife management area is composed of 10 separate parcels ranging from less than one acre to 300 acres in size. I feel pride for my adopted state of florida and the people that have worked so hard to make it such a fine place to live, and for our species for recognizing what a remarkable natural resource. It is a quiet, undisturbed place today, but it wasnt always that way. I highly recommend the encyclopedia of new jersey, which was published by rutgers university. The 8,000 acre refuge, located in morris county, new jersey, provides excellent recreational opportunities for visitors as well as protecting valuable habitat for wildlife. Established in 1960, it is one of more than 550 refuges in the national. Great swamp airport in nj that was never built thu dec 11, 2003 4.
Great swamp watershed association protecting our waters. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the. A favorite stop for those looking for that special gift for a favorite outdoors friend, baby and children gifts, a special piece of jewelry or pottery, or maybe just a great book to add to ones own personal book collection. The quilt and book highlight twelve examples of native life which are dependent on the specific environment of the swamp in order to grow and thrive. The trail systems are not connected in the great swamp, there are multiple areas to hike but youll need to drive to a 2nd trail to do a longer hike. A truly astonishing and entertaining history lesson, and a timeless cautionary tale for. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, running, and nature trips and is accessible yearround. The historic battle of the morris county dwellers against the port authority of new york and new jersey ended on sept. Join photographer steven richman as he explores the great swamp, a natural area of 7,500 acres in northcentral new jersey, including lord stirling park, the great swamp national wildlife refuge, and the great swamp outdoor education center. Great swamp observation center, great swamp blue trail. For over 25 years the association has been acting on behalf of local communities to ensure that. According to the new york times 91976, irving raser, of layton, and charles ames of flatbrookville, encountered bigfoot while examining a beaver dam 12 miles northwest of newton. Newark jetport a fortunate nearmiss for great swamp. The great swamp outdoor education center gsoec, situated on 45 acres on the eastern end of the great swamp national wildlife refuge, serves as an important crossroad between nature and civilization.
Within the great swamp there also is a nonprofit birdrehabilitation center founded in 1977, called the raptor trust, mainly specializing in birds of prey, such as eagles, hawks, and owls. It has a rich history as the nations first planned industrial city, as well as containing some of the countrys oldest textile mills and businesses. The largest parcel is located on cornwall hill road county route 64, with parking available on the east side of the road about 1. The swamp covers almost 6,000 acres 24 km 2 of land in the putnam county municipalities of southeast, patterson, and the dutchess county municipalities of town of pawling, the village of pawling and the town of dover, making it one. A very good introduction to the great swamp is on the new jersey skylands. Feb 25, 2014 this is where i live, bordering the great swamp in nj. The wilderness area accounts for the eastern half of the great swamp national wildlife refuge, which serves as a resting and nesting area for over 200 migratory birds. The exhibit features interactive displays, vignettes, taxidermy, and archaeological artifacts highlighting the history and ecology of the great swamp. Start at the other lot and do a shorter route, notes below. Today the refuge consists of 7,768 acres of varied habitats, and the refuge has become an important resting and feeding area for more than 244 species of birds.
In this rich mix, great swamp displays plants from both southern and northern zones, including 215 species of. Paper map was at the wildlife observation center, or you can print it from the links above. Spanning over 7,000 preserved acres, the great swamp is home to over 300 species of birds and mammals. The little great swamp committee of 1960 grew and evolved into the formidable new jersey conservation foundation, which extended its vision of greenways for all of new jersey. An outdoor enthusiast delight is a stroll on the unique 900 foot boardwalk though a flooded forest. The historic new jersey, a trip to discover the hidden treasures of its cities, meet its people, and relive the past events that made history. Great swamp national wildlife refuge was established instead of an airport 1970.
Visiting children can crawl into a beaver lodge, feel animal fur, or explore the toddler area. A bigfootlike entity has been seen in the regions of somerset county, including the great swamp area and the somerset hills. The great swamp feeds headwaters of the passaic river, which then meanders about 80 miles through 45 municipalities and becomes drinking water for. The nearby camping areas would be a better choice and the raptor trust is also nearby, all in the same general area. Exhibits demonstrate the variety of habitats and wildlife that can be seen at great swamp nwr. Cedar swamp trail cape may nwr dennis township, nj. Mar 15, 20 as we celebrate womens history month, we reflect on how the dedicated efforts of helen fenske helped to conserve the area that is now great swamp national wildlife refuge in basking ridge, n. Posting original and syndicated content relevant to water and environmental issues in new. Millions of years ago, the continent of africa collided violently with north america, pushing up great mountains to the north and west. Exploring the orange and green trails in the wilderness area of the great swamp. Aug 10, 2014 i have depressingly few books on the history of new jersey, but the ones i do have are pretty good. The great swamp feeds headwaters of the passaic river, which then meanders about 80 miles through 45 municipalities and becomes drinking water for more than two million new jersey residents.
Bounded and constrained by the watchung mountains and basking ridge, a glacial deposit, the lake sprung a leak and the passaic river was born and the basin became the great swamp. During the current public health emergency, whenever possible, outdoor recreation sites at national. The eastern half of the refuge was designated as wilderness by congress in 1968, making it the first wilderness area within the department of the interior. The great swamp national wildlife refuge extends along the entire northern border of long hill township. Established in 1960, it is a migrationresting and feeding area or permanent habitat for more than 244 species of birds. Somerset county, pennsylvania a history in images vintage images. I brought this topic up in airlines at trenton a few days ago. Between the two county run outposts lies the national wildlife refuge.
The morris county park commission features one of the regions best park systems in the state of new jersey. Great swamp ride the great swamp is one of the truly unspoiled natural jewels of the state. The great swamp outdoor education center gsoec, situated on 45 acres on. It is a 12squaremile natural oasis in an area that is mostly suburban, making the refuge an outstanding area for migrating waterfowl to stop, rest and feed on their migration. The great swamp national wildlife refuge is located in morris county, new jersey. Welcome to morris countys great swamp outdoor education center. The great swamp national wildlife refuge in new jersey. Several frogs board members designed and made a quilt in honor of the 25th anniversary of the friends of the great swamp. During the last 50 years, we have preserved more than 120,000 acres, including many that are now federal, state, county or local parks, using every legal means available for land protection to achieve conservation goals.
When you picture the great swamp and newark liberty airport, youd never imagine that the two have an interesting albeit unlikely connection. See more ideas about basking ridge, far hills and young fox. The great swamp national wildlife refuge takes up nearly 25% of the watershed. An independent, non profit organization dedicated to promoting the conservation of the natural resources of the refuge, fostering public understanding and appreciation of the refuge, and engaging in activities that will support the mission of the great swamp national wildlife refuge. Please contact great swamp visitor center 9734251222 x115 at least thirty days in advance to schedule a tour or program. Videos are available for viewing on request, as well as the.
They also created a coloring book using images from the original drawings. The history hallway tells the story of the citizenled fight to save great swamp from becoming a jetport in 1959. Jan 07, 1979 the historic battle of the morris county dwellers against the port authority of new york and new jersey ended on sept. Apr 03, 2008 join photographer steven richman as he explores the great swamp, a natural area of 7,500 acres in northcentral new jersey, including lord stirling park, the great swamp national wildlife refuge, and the great swamp outdoor education center. What are the best books on the history of new jersey. New jerseys great swamp is nestled within a 55square. The great swamp township of long hill, morris county. Located just 26 miles west of new york citys time square, great swamp. Today was a beautiful fall day so my wife and i decided to go for a walk at the wildlife observation center in the great swamp national wildlife refuge off long hill road.
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