Come meet the artists and join in the community of AWE, 6 area Nature Centers including the host Tulpehaking Nature Center, and the Friends for the Abbott Marshlands. Refreshments will be served. Please register here!

Sponsored by:

We have developed the Abbott Marshlands Ambassadors Program (AMAP) – a series of informative workshops – for someone just like you!  The Abbott Marshlands Ambassador program runs monthly on Tuesday afternoons in 1.5 hour sessions and is an opportunity for participants to collaborate with others, learn, and ask questions about the marshlands in an informal, interactive environment.   

Tentative Program dates: Oct 27, 2026; Dec 1, 2026; Jan 12, 2027; Feb 9, 2027; Mar 9, 2027, and Apr 6, 2027. Program is held at the Tulpehaking Nature Center. Recordings will also be available for missed sessions.

The program is running for the third time, and the Abbott Marshlands Ambassadors that have graduated are leading walks, running clubs, helping with Tulpehaking Nature Center Educational Programs, tabling at outreach events, increasing marketing and fundraising by applying their love and knowledge of the marsh in all sorts of meaningful ways!

Interested? Email cathyfrank@abbottmarshlands.org, or check out the information and complete the form here!

Support the Friends for the Abbott Marshlands in our annual fundraiser and make a difference in protecting this valuable natural resource! Grab your tickets now for a fun, fabulous, fundraising night of TRIVIA with marsh favorite, RIGHTEOUS JOLLY. Yes…he’s ba—ack!

Make this Friday the 13th your lucky night at this stellar fundraising evening…in this case the 4th time’s the charm! Righteous Jolly will be hosting the fun with 4 lively rounds of assorted trivia. The evening starts with a full Italian dinner, including drinks (wine, beer and sparkling water), and dessert. The theme is the Mystical Marsh, so come on out and be prepared to eat, drink and be eerie!

You are welcome to come on your own and join a table, or bring friends and family.

Tickets are $62/person and include four rounds of  trivia, Italian dinner, dessert, beer, wine, and sparkling water, and door prizes! 21 and older only, please. Get you tickets HERE!

Can’t go? You can still  support the Friends  Contribute the price of a ticket by selecting the “CAN’T ATTEND BUT WANT TO DONATE” choice below, or make a donation in a different amount HERE.

No refunds are possible once tickets are purchased. Don’t wait too long, the event sold out last year!

Come out for this Autumn Equinox walk where we will meet at the nature center parking lot and hike through the Abbott Brook trail to look to the earth for any ferns, fungi and flowers we can find, then head out to the bluff overlook by the Watson House to catch the sun set and learn a bit about the equinox sky from astronomer Megha Rajoria. We will have some autumn-themed snacks at the picnic tables to end our evening. Registration required here!

This program is for members.

Not sure if your membership is current? Check here.

To become an active member, click here.

Congratulations to the 2026 Voices for the Marsh Photography Show awardees!

Best in Show:

WILDLIFE: Erica Heusser, The Little Explorer (shown)

Best in Category:

FLORA & FUNGI: Susan Braunhut, Komorebi of Bark Plates

LANDSCAPE: Gary Becker, Point Breeze Morn

WILDLIFE: Harry Meeks, Dancing on the Water

DIGITAL ART: Lynn Heyns, The Eye of Spring

Honorable Mention:

FLORA & FUNGI: Melinda Matlack, Virginia Bluebells

LANDSCAPE: Alex Ewing, Spring Lake Landscape

WILDLIFE: Matthew Masterson, Amber Stare

DIGITAL ART: Stephanie Hill, Grounded in Color

People’s Choice (Write-In Vote):

WILDLIFE: Preeti Desai, Fatherhood Begins

Thanks to Debbie Aniano, Juror.

Stop into the Tulpehaking Nature Center to see the exhibition and consider making a purchase, 30% of each purchase supports the Friends for the Abbott Marshlands’ ongoing mission. It’s a wonderful show! Thanks to the tremendous FFAM Photo Show Committee: Ann E. Darlington, chair; Pat Coleman, Jerry Flynn, Margaret Simpson and Bob Simmons!

The Abbott Marshlands is one of New Jersey’s most treasured natural landscapes — a vital refuge for wildlife, a living classroom, and a place where our community connects with nature. Your generosity helps us protect and restore this irreplaceable ecosystem for generations to come.

We held our first EVER online auction in June, and reached our fundraising goal of $3000, thanks to you!

The services and items that were donated were wonderful and selected to bring people together and celebrate the outdoors: nature experiences, guided tours, outdoor gear, local arts and crafts, gift certificates, handmade goods, and family-friendly activities. Thank you for helping us protect what matters most!

Rain or shine! Bring your Friends and Family and come on out to our free, fun third annual birthday celebration of the life and times of Charles Conrad Abbott, whose archeological and naturalist endeavors resulted in the “Abbott Farm National Historic Landmark” and the “Abbott Marshlands” bring named in his honor. Start your day with the First Saturday “In Abbott’s Footsteps”  Walk on Abbott Bluffs,  11 am – 12 pm: (Register here for this walk!)

SCHEDULED FESTIVITIES:

12 – 12:30pm: Welcome, Intro to Silent Auction, BDay Party Cake and Ice Cream

12:30 – 1 pm: “Music Imagination and Movement with Mr. Jolly

1 – 1:30 pm: Face Painting by Mrs. Jolly, and Abbott Costume Parade

1:30 -2 pm: Nature Scavenger Hunt

ONGOING ACTIVITIES:

TURTLE TIME:

Turtle Painting/Naming: Paint wooden turtles to name and take home. A naming contest will decide the name of  our Turtle Mascot!

Fruit Art: Turtle Shell Mandala: Make a beautiful design for a turtle shell out of fruit, then eat your artwork!

Pin the Tail on the Turtle All ages can enjoy this classic game!

ABBOTT ALLEY:

Abbott Books and Publications: A quiet spot for the history-lovers to see videos about and peruse written material by Charles Conrad Abbott.

Photos with CC Abbott: Get your picture taken with C.C. Abbott, and add the snapshot to our collage!

ONLINE AUCTION STATION: See what’s up for bids in the Benefit Silent Auction, and make a bid on what catches your eye!

Hello Neighbors!

The Friends for the Abbott Marshlands and the Tulpehaking Nature Center would like to invite you to a fun day outdoors in the area of Spring Lake in John A. Roebling Memorial Park in Hamilton, NJ! Look for the big orange tent set up by the parking lot/picnic area with free family activities, snacks and cookies, and lots of opportunities to learn more about what you can do in Roebling Park and the nature center.

We will also take folks out to see the beaver lodge and talk a little more about the trails. We would love to hear your ideas on how we can improve on being a community neighbor as well! Just come on out, have a sweet treat, and hang out a little while with us. (This event is weather permitting, check website day of event in case of rain!)

Continue your fun, family day with a stop at the Tulpehaking Nature Center at 1:30 pm for a free Nature Art Program!

The Friends for the Abbott Marshlands appreciates its members!

Members can enjoy this Nature Walk, winding through Watson Woods with insights and stories by Rider University Professor and Friends Advisory Board Member, Dr. Dan Druckenbrod.

After the walk, we will enjoy slices of pizza to celebrate community (and National Pizza Day!)

Not sure if you’re a member? You can check the current membership page here. To become an active member click here.

Please register if you can by May 14 so we have a head count for the pizza slices! Register here!