Friends of Great Swamp NWR

06/04/2026

Yesterday was the 40th Annual Volunteer Recognition Event at Great Swamp NWR. The event started with some opening announcements, and then lunch was served. After lunch there was a brief presentation on the Headstart turtle project, and then awards were presented. It was a great day to recognize volunteers who provided 12,758 hours of service in FY 2025.

06/03/2026

Today, Friends Construction Crew volunteers made posts for the new Wildlife Tour Route signs. Two of the original signs were missing and the other two were degraded. The new laser etched signs include a QR code that will link the visitor directly to a detailed Tour brochure. The signs should be installed next week.

06/02/2026

ATTENTION VISITORS: The Wildlife Observation Center (WOC) is again open to the public. Enjoy your visit.

05/27/2026

VISITOR ALERT UPDATE: The Wildfile Observation Center (WOC) will be closed through Sunday, May 31st.

05/27/2026

VISTIOR ALERT: 🚨 Wildlife Observation Center CLOSED: Active Wildlife Hazard 🚨The WOC is temporarily closed due to an aggressive raccoon in the area.
Effective Date: May 27, 2026, until further notice.
Status: Officials are actively monitoring the situation to determine when it is safe to reopen.
Your safety is our top priority. This closure is strictly enforced to prevent negative human-wildlife encounters.

05/19/2026

Progress is being made on the Visitor Center Expansion. A new septic system has been built, and windows and insulation are being installed. A supply of sheet rock is ready for installation soon.

05/18/2026

Nice article on Flags Across America.

As part of the Flags Across America initiative for America’s 250th anniversary, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is sharing stories from the places where our commemorative flags have traveled. From historic hatcheries to vibrant refuges, each stop celebrates conservation as an enduring American ...

05/15/2026

Here is the latest edition of Happenings. Enjoy.

Email from Friends of Great Swamp NWR Spring migrators are passing through!   Happenings May 2026   Northern Yellow Warbler by Robert Lin Second Sunday Events To find more info on this or any event, g

04/22/2026

Yesterday, Brother International Corporation proudly participated in their 15th corporate volunteer event in partnership with the Friends of the Great Swamp at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. They brought 20 volunteers. The employees ranged from IT, Human Resources, Corporate Services, Supply Chain, Sales and Marketing departments coming together to celebrate Earth Day by volunteering to help make nature more accessible to others.

This year focused on maintaining two trails—spreading stone dust on the White Oak Trail and wood chips on the Nature Detective Trail. It was truly a hands-on effort, with teams shoveling materials into wheelbarrows, transporting them along the trails, and carefully spreading them to ensure safe and accessible walkways.

The day wrapped up with a well-earned (and much appreciated!) lunch, graciously provided by the Friends of the Great Swamp.

They may all be a bit sore tomorrow, but it’s always incredibly rewarding to play a small part in preserving such a beautiful refuge—supporting wildlife while creating welcoming spaces for visitors to learn, explore, and enjoy nature.

04/15/2026

Here is the latest issue of Happenings. Enjoy.

Email from Friends of Great Swamp NWR LIfe is coming back to the Swamp!   Happenings April 2026   Tree Swallow by Robert Lin Second Sunday Events To find more info on this or any event, go to https://