Friends of Great Swamp NWR

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://

04/12/2026

ATTENTION VISITORS: GREAT NEWS!

On April 20th, the Wildlife Observation Center (WOC) will re-open for visitors. A recent habitat restoration and enhancement project funded by donations removed woody overgrowth and invasive aquatic vegetation adjacent to boardwalks at the Wildlife Observation Center. This work restored the areas to an earlier successional stage of open water and marsh land. The diverse wildlife ecosystems at the Great Swamp NWR support many species of waterfowl, turtles, snakes, fish, and frogs. These species benefit from the improved open water marsh habitat.

04/06/2026

ATTENTION VISITORS: The U.S. Wildland Fire program will be attempting (dependent upon favorable weather conditions) a prescribed burn along Pleasant Plains Road tomorrow, Tuesday (April 7th) and Wednesday (April 8th) to improve wildlife habitat and lessen wildfire risk. The entirety of Pleasant Plains Road will be closed beginning tonight at 7PM. The entrance to the refuge at the intersection of Wood Duck Way and Lees Hill Road will reopen at 9:30AM tomorrow so that the Visitor Center can operate with normal hours. The rest of Pleasant Plains Road will remain closed on Tuesday, Wednesday, and possibly on Thursday to ensure visitor and firefighter safety. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Prescribed burning removes invading trees and shrubs that would otherwise overtake the fields, helps control non-native plants, and promotes the growth of native warm-season grasses that provide important wildlife habitat. The operation will only take place under favorable weather conditions to keep the fire and smoke manageable.

04/04/2026

ATTENTION VISITORS: Due to a staffing issue, the Visitor Center will OPEN AT 1PM on Sunday, April 5th.