Lake Hopatcong Foundation

06/02/2026

There's still time to join us THIS Saturday, June 6, for a guided Hike through some of Jefferson Township's scenic landscapes. 🥾 📸🌿

Along the way, participants can also take part in a fun Trail Photo Scavenger Hunt, capturing unique trail features, native plants, wildlife, and stunning lake views.

This moderate, family-friendly hike is limited to just 25 participants, and registration is required. Get more info and register at lakehopatcongfoundation.org/news/trails-day-hike-2026

Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate , connect with nature, and experience some of the area's most beautiful trails

06/01/2026

Please join us in welcoming our 2026 Environmental Stewardship Interns, Faith Bulger and Millena Galatioto! 🌿🔬

This summer, Faith and Millena will be diving into hands-on environmental research and community outreach across the Lake Hopatcong watershed. From aquatic plant surveys and eDNA sampling to helping students explore freshwater ecology and supporting our Lake-Friendly Living Program, they'll be gaining valuable experience while helping protect and enhance our lake.

Faith recently graduated from Montclair State University with a degree in Biology and a minor in Sustainability Science, and will begin pursuing her master’s degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology this fall.

Millena, a senior Biology major at East Stroudsburg University, brings a diverse research background that includes fieldwork in national parks and studies focused on environmental restoration and soil ecology.

We're excited to have these talented young scientists on board and look forward to the contributions they'll make throughout the season.

Learn more about Faith, Millena, and the important work they'll be doing this summer at lakehopatcongfoundation.org/news/environmental-stewardship-interns

05/29/2026

After 13 years of dedicated service, Donna Macalle-Holly is retiring from her role as grants and program director.

From launching our lake-wide community cleanups and helping grow our educational field trips to restoring the Lake Hopatcong Station, developing the Lake Hopatcong Trail, and bringing a Floating Classroom to the lake, Donna’s impact can be seen all around Lake Hopatcong.

Please join us in thanking Donna for her dedication, hard work, and commitment to our mission over the past 13 years. We wish her all the best in this exciting next chapter. 💙

Read more about Donna’s many accomplishments and explore a photo album filled with memories from her time with us at lakehopatcongfoundation.org/news/donna-macalle-holly

05/29/2026

Looking for a new way to experience Lake Hopatcong this summer? 🔬💧🚤

Join us aboard the Floating Classroom for a hands-on Eco Cruise exploring the ecology of New Jersey’s largest lake! From testing water clarity to examining plankton collected right from the lake, these interactive cruises combine science, discovery, and scenic views for a one-of-a-kind summer adventure.

Perfect for curious minds, families, and anyone who loves being out on the water. Public cruises run Mondays from July 6 through August 31.

Read more and get your tickets at lakehopatcongfoundation.org/what-we-do/education/floating-classroom

05/29/2026

Many thanks to Watershed Ambassador Matt Trochim and Source Water Protection Ambassador Pheobe Galione for leading our group of 22 in last night's informative workshop on the benefits of rain barrels and how to build them!

Thank you, too, all who attended the workshop and to the Lake Hopatcong Foundation members who chose to purchase a barrel! We can't wait to check-in and hear how your water conservation efforts are going! 🌧🛢

We hope you'll join us for our next community program, "Medicinal Plants of the Civil War." You can find this and other programs on our website: https://www.lakehopatcongfoundation.org/what-we-do/community/programs

05/27/2026

Reminder from the New Jersey State Police about “Slow Speed/No Wake” rules.

The New Jersey State Police Marine Services Bureau reminds all boaters of New Jersey’s “Slow Speed/No Wake” rules:

• Title 13:82 1.7 – Speed – No person shall operate a vessel where its speed and/or wake may cause danger or injury to life or limb, or damage to property.

• Title 12:7 45 – Speed of Power Vessels – The speed of power vessels shall at all times be regulated to avoid danger or injury to any craft (floating, moored, anchored, or underway) or to piers, wharfs, bulkheads, draw spans, or other waterfront construction, either directly or by the effect of the wash or wave raised by such vessel.

Reduce speed to slow speed/no wake when passing:

• Any marina, pier, dock, wharf, or abutment within 200 ft (except on Lake Hopatcong, per N.J.A.C. 13:82 3.11)
• Work barges, platforms, or floats actually engaged in work related activity
• Bridge openings of 400 ft or less
• Lagoons, canals, or confined areas less than 200 ft wide
• Vessels not under command
• Emergency vessels displaying sequential flashing or rotating blue lights
• Vessels engaged in Coast Guard recognized activities displaying rotating or sequential flashing red and yellow lights.

Slow down, be respectful — keep our waters safe!

05/27/2026

When we think about the Civil War, we often picture battlefields, military strategy, and political leaders — but what if plants played a much larger role than most people realize? 🌿

Join us as we team up with the Hopatcong Community Garden for an evening with independent scholar, garden historian, and writer Lesley Parness as she uncovers the botanical history of the Civil War in Medicinal Plants of the Civil War

Through stories, historic images, and fascinating connections to plants we still grow today, you’ll discover how more than 30 plants shaped life during the era, from battlefield medicine to everyday remedies on the home front.

Whether you love history, gardening, or uncovering unexpected stories from the past, this promises to be a fascinating program.

📅 Thursday, June 25 | 7 pm (doors open at 6:30 pm)
📍 Lake Hopatcong Foundation, 125 Landing Road, Landing
💧 Free to attend (donations appreciated)
📝 Registration required

Learn more and register at lakehopatcongfoundation.org/news/civil-war-medicinal-plants

05/26/2026

Join us for our Annual Meeting on Thursday, June 18, from 6:30–7:30 pm at our office, 125 Landing Road in Landing.

We’ll share highlights and accomplishments from the past year, celebrate what we’ve accomplished together, and talk about what’s ahead. Whether you’ve been involved for years or are just getting to know us, we’d love to see you there. Light refreshments will be served.

No registration needed, just stop by!

Find out more at lakehopatcongfoundation.org/news/annual-meeting-2026

05/26/2026

Powerful partnerships create meaningful impact. 💙

This spring, corporate and service-oriented partners helped us tackle multiple projects, including refreshing the rain garden at Hopatcong State Park and preparing the Floating Classroom for another busy education season. Thank you to STORIS, FirstEnergy, and Hopatcong Brownie Troop 98710 for rolling up your sleeves to help protect our lake and prepare to welcome more than 2,000 students to our spring field trip program.

And when it came time for our biggest-ever Block Party, additional support from FirstEnergy, Roxbury Interact Club, Elite Prep Academy students, Hopatcong High School Boys Soccer, and our local first aid and C.E.R.T. organizations helped make the event such a success for our community and thousands of attendees.

Read more at lakehopatcongfoundation.org/news/power-of-partnerships

Part of a corporate or service group? We’d love to explore volunteer opportunities that create impact together. Reach out to [email protected].

05/26/2026

There’s still room for a few more! 🌧️🪣

Join us THIS THURSDAY, May 28, at 6:30 pm for a free Rain Barrel Workshop and learn how rain barrels can help conserve water, save money, and reduce stormwater pollution entering waterways like Lake Hopatcong. Attendees will also get step-by-step guidance on how to build and install a rain barrel at home.

📅 Thursday, May 28 | 6:30 pm
📍 Lake Hopatcong Foundation, 125 Landing Rd., Landing, NJ
💧 Free to attend (donations appreciated)

Reserve your spot at lakehopatcongfoundation.org/news/rain-barrel-workshop