Dedicated to the conservation of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Morris County, NJ
Discovery Den
The Discovery Den, located in the Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center, is a fabulous place for education and learning, where you will find self–guided hands–on projects, puzzles and games, exhibits and educational activities for kids and adults.
Themes are seasonal and change frequently to complement natural happenings on the refuge. Depending on the time of year, you might find a focus on butterflies and dragonflies, frogs and toads, ducks, migration, winter tracks and signs. It’s a great place to spend a few minutes or a few hours and can enhance your visit to the Refuge.
Stop in...and stay awhile.
Friends Outreach Service
Video • Presentation • Handouts
about Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
A 45-minute program offered to
Clubs • Schools • Civic Organizations
Contact Laura Nally for more information, 973-451-0971
Swamp in a Box
The Friends of Great Swamp have developed an educational tool called Swamp in a Box, which provides an easy and convenient way for teachers to bring the Refuge into the classroom.
The Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is a unique natural resource which can be tapped for educational opportunities. Use the Swamp in a Box to help teach students about the value and importance of wildlife refuges. The program can also be used to help orient students prior to a field trip to the Refuge where teachers can take advantage of our guided interpretive walks.
What is Swamp in a Box?
Thanks to a grant from the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, the Friends of Great Swamp have developed a program designed to help teachers bring the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge right into their classrooms. The program consists of a loanable "box" containing carefully selected educational materials which can be conveniently incorporated into a curriculum. The Swamp in a Box program is designed to help increase knowledge, understanding, awareness, and stewardship for a national wildlife refuge—like the one right in your own backyard.
Who can participate?
The program has been designed for Kindergarten through Grade 12 teachers and students. The program is correlated to NJ State Core Curriculum Standards. The Swamp in a Box program is loaned free of charge to any school group, home–school group, scout troop, and other community organization.
What’s in the box?
Each box contains a number of educational materials which support topics related to science, wildlife, habitats, history, math, and more, including:
- Videos—a national wildlife refuge system video (11 minutes) and a video specifically covering the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (20 minutes). Both are available in DVD and VHS formats.
- Teacher consumable items such as posters, suggested grade level activities, worksheets, reference pages, and a vocabulary list.
- Consumable class sets of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge brochure and event calendars.
How do I find out more?
To discuss opportunities for this unique program for your school district, school, or class, contact Dorothy Smullen at 908–647–5740.
How do I get the box for my class or group?
Call Dorothy Smullen at 908–647–5740 to reserve a box. Boxes may be borrowed for two weeks. The program is free of charge. Pick up and return of Swamp in a Box materials will take place at the Friends’ Nature Shop at pre–arranged times and will be the responsibility of the borrower.
Guided Interpretive Walks for Groups
The Friends of Great Swamp offer a series of interpretive tours for small groups including school classes, scout groups, or other youth or adult organizations. Children should be at least five years old. All programs are led by a volunteer from the Friends and focus on the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.
Wildlife Observation Center
Located at 220 Long Hill Road, Harding Township
Ages: 5 years to adult.
The 1½ hour interpreted tour includes:
- history of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge and the purpose of the national wildlife refuge system.
- Exploration of habitats found including meadows, woodland-edge, woodland, ponds, and vernal pools.
- Identification of plants and wildlife:
- Aquatic plants: Cattails, water arums, buttonbush, and duck weed.
- Frogs: Types, calls, habitat.
- Turtles: Types and habitat.
- Wood ducks and bluebirds: Calls and habitat; special refuge management strategies for both species.
- Trees and plants: Identification, historic and modern uses, habitat.
- Mammals and snakes are discussed if encountered on the trail or along the boardwalk.
Bluebird pair
photo by
Patricia VamVas
Seasonal Programs
Ages: 5 years to adult.
Pickerel Frog
photo by Blaine Rothauser
Special seasonal programs are available for groups. In the spring, a frog walk or interpreted visit to the visitor center are available. Please contact the Friends of Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge for further information. The telephone number is 973-425-9510.