delaware nature society 2015 winter to spring program guide

Program guideJanuary - april 2015

One farm. One read.Sat 1/24 & Sat 4/25at Coverdale Farm Adult(see page 9)

Teen naTuralisTsMonthly Jan – Augat Ashland Nature CenterAges 13 – 17(see page 29)

farm preschOOlBi-weekly, Tue & Thr, Jan – Aprat Coverdale Farm Ages 2 – 4(see page 25)

our loCATioNS 2ABouT our ProGrAMS 3

AdvoCACy 4 BeCoMe A MeMBer 5

ABBoTT’S Mill ProGrAMS 6 AdulTS ProGrAMS 7

exPediTioNS & eCo TourS 19FAMily TiMe ProGrAMS 21

liTTle oNeS ProGrAMS 25JuST KidS ProGrAMS 28

SiGNuP ForM 31

you may also search programs & sign up online at delNATure.orG/ProGrAMS

Get outdoors, explore and discover

A N N I V E

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delnature.org/Programs

3511 Barley Mill Road, Hockessin, DE 19707 Mail: PO Box 700, Hockessin, DE 19707 | 302.239.2334

Ashland Nature Center serves as Delaware Nature Society’s headquarters. The site is open to the public year-round and offers seasonal programs for all ages. Ashland Nature Center features an overnight lodge for school and public groups, a seasonal butterfly house, hawk watch, picnic area and four self-guided trails on 130 acres.

543 Way Road, Greenville, DE 19807302.239.2334

Coverdale Farm Preserve is a 352-acre property that encompasses an 18th-century stone bank barn, pastures, fields, idyllic ponds and woodlands and panoramic views of rolling countryside. School students and participants in seasonal programs learn about the farm cycle of life and our dependence upon soil, water, plants and animals for survival. Coverdale hosts the annual Native Plant Sale, Harvest Moon Festival and Farm to Fork and is the location for our Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program.

15411 Abbott’s Pond Road, Milford, DE 19963 302.422.0847

Abbott’s Mill Nature Center, with its preserved working mill, is owned by Delaware’s Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs and operated by Delaware Nature Society. Part of the 313-acre Milford Millponds Nature Preserve, this diverse property supports a variety of forested, field and wetland habitats. Hiking trails, boardwalks and picnic areas provide unique education opportunities discovering the natural wonders of southern Delaware.

1400 Delmarva Lane, Wilmington, DE 19801302.656.1490

Located at Russell W. Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge on the RiverfrontDelaware Nature Society operates DuPont Environmental Education Center, showcasing the meeting of city, river and marsh. DuPont Environmental Education Center is on the edge of the 212-acre refuge that adjoins the tidal Christina River. The facility is open to the public year-round and features indoor and outdoor exhibits and a boardwalk that extends into the marsh.

Our other preserves and other programming locations include:BuckTOe creek preserve | 432 Sharp Road, Avondale, PA 19311 | 302.239.2334flinT WOOds preserve | 350 Twaddell Mill Road, Wilmington, DE 19807 | 302.239.2334cOOch-dayeTT mill | 904 Old Baltimore Pike, Newark, DE 19702 | 302.239.2334

Our locationsdelaware Nature Society is a nonprofit membership organization which fosters understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of the natural world through education and experience. We focus on ecological preservation, stewardship and conservation of our area’s natural resources. our programs are open to delaware Nature Society members and the general public.

ashlandnaturecenter

naturecenter

abbott’smill

dupontenvironmentaleducation center

coverdalefarm preserve

Programs

at Abbott’sfitness: yoga, h

iking & m

ore food, farm

s & veg G

ardeningBotany &

Garden Toursconservation

Birdinglittle ones

(ages 1.5-5)Just kids (ages 5-18)

expeditions &

eco Toursfam

ily Time

(all ages)

adult programs

delnature.org/Blogs @denaturesociety facebook.com/delawarenaturesociety 3

different programs for different ages

parent & me (ages 1 ½ – 5) Bring along your little ones for sensory-based nature adventures, live animal presentations, farm life learning experiences, culinary creations, short nature walks, and much more!

family time (all ages) Enjoy time spent together with family-friendly outdoor activities like fishing, archery, or just taking a nature walk while learning about the local habitats. Enjoy time at the farm doing farm chores and cooking.

Just kids: ages 5 – 12 Children and tweens experience the outdoors and have a blast canoeing, fishing, hiking, and enjoying campfires in our Parents’ Night Out, day camps, and Young Naturalists Club.

Just kids: ages 13 – 17 Teens love new experiences. That’s what they’ll find in our Teen Naturalist program which features outdoor and travel adventures. They’ll hike, kayak, canoe, learn how to cook, and participate in community service activities!

adults Enjoy the opportunity to experience nature in a variety of ways: birding, botany, kayaking, canoeing and hiking through diverse, scenic properties not accessible to the public. Visit our farm’s state-of-the-art teaching kitchen for cooking programs focused on local ingredients.

Our highly qualified instructors

Our instructors are Delaware Nature Society staff, and teacher naturalists – all are trained professionals and experts in the outdoors and education who go through intensive training in working with children and pedagogy, environmental education techniques, natural history, van driving safety, canoe and kayak safety and outdoor safety. All instructors are background-checked, and attend first aid and CPR classes and are excited to share outdoor experiences with you.

Our interns are in the fields of environmental education, wildlife science, or other formal education, and love nature.

What to wear and bringPlease wear comfortable shoes for hiking in the woods on hilly, unpaved paths. Programs will be held rain, snow, or shine so please dress accordingly. We’ll contact you prior to your program about what to bring and wear.

inclement weather Programs will be held rain, snow, or shine. In case of inclement weather, programs may be modified and moved indoors. Programs may also be cancelled due to weather at the discretion of the Education staff.

From Kayaking to Cooking, enjoy our unique, high-quality programs and expeditions Through Delaware Nature Society’s unique themed programs, you learn new skills – everything from cooking to kayaking – and much more! Our programs connect you with nature through hands-on, outdoor experiences with highly qualified instructors in exclusive natural areas and preserves. You and your family will come away with an enjoyable, educational, and often one-of-a-kind outdoors experience. Most programs are open to the public with Delaware Nature Society members enjoying a reduced price. Visit delnature.org/BecomeAMember today!

how to register for programs

Register online at:

or fill out and mail the form on page 31

FirstAid

CPR

ChildhoodEducation

OutdoorSafety

BackgroundChecked

Become a memberenjoy program discounts and support the high quality programs, events, conservation activities and advocacy we give to our region.

Phone: 302.239.2334Mail: See form on page 31Web: delnature.org/BecomeAMember

delnature.org/Programs >

delnature.org/Blogs

facebook.com/DelawareNatureSociety

delnature.org/BecomeAMember



view programs and sign up at delnature.org/Programs > or call 302.239.23344

environmental advocacy

Our 2015 advocacy agenda

regulatoryThe cOasTal ZOne acT and reGulaTiOnsThe Coastal Zone Act, passed and signed in 1971 by Governor Peterson, protects Delaware’s coast line from heavy industry and offshore bulk transfer facilities. Delaware Nature Society will continue to review and offer comment on Coastal Zone applications and actively work to defend against the weakening of the Act itself.

enerGy efficiencyAccording to a 2014 report by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, Delaware ranked #25 in the level of enforcement and investment made in efficiencies. Delaware Nature Society will actively participate in Delaware’s Energy Efficiency Advisory Council and offer support to projects, funding mechanisms and regulations related to these investments.

legislative clean WaTer94% of Delaware’s waterways are not safe to drink, swim, or fish in. Flooding, increased runoff and nutrients, and decreased resources geared toward waterway navigation combined need to be addressed. Delaware Nature Society will advocate for secured funding for clean water infrastructure.

fundinGProviding financial assistance for the preservation of land, protection of wildlife and habitat, and conservation of natural resources is critical. Delaware Nature Society will continue to advocate for and promote full funding of the Open Space/ Farmland Preservation programs, state wildlife grants, and species protection.

envirOnmenTal liTeracyChildren benefit from quality time spent outdoors however the amount of time outdoors for our children is declining. Delaware Nature Society will promote environmental literacy throughout the state.

dNS Voice itSpeak out and act for precious resources.

Get informed and actKeep up to date on pressing environmental issues, local and national, with our Voice-It email newsletter. Sign up:

delnature.org/VoiceIt >

support our “clean Water for delaware” campaign94% of Delaware’s waterways are polluted.

We need outdoor enthusiasts like you to support our statewide campaign to secure funding for clean water. • green infrastructure• agricultural conservation practices• repairing and updating water infrastructure

Campaign funded by a grant from the William Penn Foundation.

Learn more and support clean water:

delnature.org/Water >

Thank you for helping make the September 13 – 20, 2014 2nd annual sea-level rise awareness Week a success with over 1000 participants across the delaware

SOSDelaware.org >


delnature.org/VoiceIt

delnature.org/Water

SOSDelaware.org

together we CaN maKe a diFFereNCeJoin a nature-loving community.

connect with and protect your

favorite forests, fields, streams,

marshes, wildlife & farm lands.

donate or Become a member,

keep and add to the high quality

educational programs, events,

advocacy and conservation activities

we provide.

member benefits include free admission

to some events and programs, discounts,

special member experiences, Native Plant Sale

preview days, and more.

Phone: 302.239.2334

Mail/Fax: see form on page 31 of this brochure

Web: delnature.org/donate

delnature.org/Becomeamember

delnature.org/Donate



parent & me (ages 1.5 – 5)Free for parents and siblings under the age of 1.5 years.

knee-high naturalistswith delaware nature society staff

Knee-high Naturalists provides unique hands-on nature-based learning experiences within a familiar preschool format. Come enjoy free play activity stations inside the nature center, then sit for circle time to learn about the weekly nature theme through songs, stories and games. Eat a small snack and make a useful craft before hitting the trail for an interactive outdoor hike. Your child will connect with nature in a familiar and fun way.

all agesrunning of the mill with stephen childers

Take a guided tour of historic Abbott’s Mill. Learn about the unique history of the mill, dating back to 1795. Experience the rush of the water through the turbine and feel the rumble of the mill stones. Come see the Running of the Mill every third Saturday.

Note: will not run Dec. – Feb.

SAt 3/21SAt 4/182:00 Pm – 3:30 Pm

ABBOtt’S millmEmBER NON-mEmBER Child Child

FREE $5mEmBER NON-mEmBER

FREE $5PAy ON ARRivAl NO NEEd tO PRE-REgiStER

at Abbott’s MillFollow us!facebook.com/AbbottsMill

discover our trails, picnic grounds (open 7 days/week) & more:delnature.org/AbbottsMill

thuRSdAyS yEAR-ROuNd10:00 Am – 11:30 Am

ABBOtt’S mill

mONth OF JANuARymEmBER NON-mEmBER Child Child

$12 $28#W15331Am

iNdividuAl ClASSESmEmBER NON-mEmBER Child Child

$3 $7uSE PROgRAm NumBER FOR thAt mONth

mONth OF FEBRuARymEmBER NON-mEmBER Child Child

$12 $28#W15332Am

mONth OF mARChmEmBER NON-mEmBER Child Child

$12 $28#W15333Am

mONth OF APRilmEmBER NON-mEmBER Child Child

$15 $35 #W15334Am


facebook.com/AbbottsMill

delnature.org/AbbottsMill

Programs


iking & m

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s & veg G

ardeningBotany &


Birdinglittle ones


expeditions &

eco Toursfam

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fitness: hiking & skiing

cross-country skiing Groupwith Brian Winslow

Will we have snow this winter? Do you like to cross-country ski? If we think conditions are right, we will contact you to come skiing at Coverdale Farm Preserve with Executive Director Brian Winslow. Bring your own equipment.

Join the cross-country skiing notice list: [email protected].

SPONtANEOuSJAN – mARCOvERdAlEmEmBER NON-mEmBER

FREE $10/dAy

JOiN thE NOtiCE liSt, thEN RSvP WhEN A tRiP iS POStEd

hoopes reservoir hikewith Joe sebastiani & sally O’Byrne

Take advantage of this wonderful, exclusive opportunity to hike the eastern half of the scenic Hoopes Reservoir during waterfowl migration. Closed to the public since the 1970’s, Hoopes Reservoir’s views alone will make you believe you are in New England. This is a 3-mile, one-way hike that is strenuous, with rugged terrain.

FRi 3/2712:30 Pm – 5:00 Pm

AShlANdmEmBER NON-mEmBER

$15 $22#W15011AS

flint Woods to Granogue hike and lunchwith Joe sebastiani & michele Wales

Hike through the biggest old growth woodland in New Castle County, and across chateau-country to the famous water tower on the Granogue Estate with amazing views of the Brandywine Valley. Gourmet lunch is served at Flint Woods pavilion at noon. This is a strenuous 3-mile hike with hills.

FRi 4/1012:00 Pm – 4:30 Pm

FliNt WOOdSmEmBER NON-mEmBER

$30 $45#W15013FW

red clay reservation evening Walkwith Joe sebastiani

Take an evening walk around the private Red Clay Reservation in the heart of Hockessin. Find migrant birds, blooming wildflowers, and enjoy a 2-mile hike through the gorgeous woodlands and meadows of this vast protected area. Meet at the Red Clay Reservation. Directions will be sent. Moderately difficult.

tuE 4/146:00 Pm – 7:30 Pm

REd ClAy RESERvAtiON

mEmBERS ONly

FREE*#W15014AS

programs for adults

fitness: yoga, h

iking and more

adult programs

*Pre-register to ensure we have space & materials for you: 302.239.2334 | delnature.org/programs | [email protected]

programs

at abbott’s

delnature.org/Blogs


mailto:[email protected]

delnature.org/programs



programs for adults

fitness: hiking & canoeing

mONth OF JANuARymEmBER NON-mEmBER

$48 $60#W15101CF

iNdividuAl ClASSESmEmBER NON-mEmBER

$12 $15uSE PROgRAm # FOR thAt mONth

mONth OF FEBRuARymEmBER NON-mEmBER

$48 $60#W15102CF

mONth OF mARChmEmBER NON-mEmBER

$60 $75#W15103CF

mONth OF APRilmEmBER NON-mEmBER

$48 $60#W15104CF

Sunset Yoga

w/ susan schwartz

Celebrate the end of day with a truly organic experience. Harmonize your mind-body-nature connection in the open air through Vinyasa style Yoga. Flow dynamically through a series of postures while discovering proper breathing and posture alignment. This energizing yet calm practice will increase meditative awareness and facilitate a deeper connection to self and the natural world. This all levels class requires a Yoga mat and clothing for easy movement. Classes are indoors during colder months.

tuESdAyS yEAR-ROuNd6:30 Pm – 8:00 Pm

COvERdAlE

ashland to Bucktoe creek preserve hikewith Joe sebastiani & dan citron, historic site manager for auburn heights preserve

Hike through private property and wildlife preserves from Ashland Nature Center to the Bucktoe Creek Preserve. This is a strenuous 6.5-mile hike with hills and some rough trails. Traverse places off-limits to the public, and hike past beautiful vistas, through gorgeous mature forest, and open Piedmont vistas, while learning the natural and human history along the way.

FRi 5/812:30 Pm – 5:30 Pm


$15 $22#u15004AS

canoeing Wilmington’s christina river and marshwith ed rohrbach & hannah Greenberg

Celebrate Earth Day by exploring some of its many wonders! Join us as we paddle the urban marshlands of the Christina River. Get a closer look at our sea of green and a unique view of the city skyline as we paddle through winding channels of our freshwater marsh. Immerse yourself in the grassy domain of Great Blue Herons, American Beaver and other marsh creatures.

SAt 4/1811:00 Am – 3:00 Pm

dEECmEmBER NON-mEmBER

$20 $35#W15207dC

earth day canoe Tripwith ed rohrbach & lesley Bensinger

Learn how to canoe while taking in the beautiful Riverfront view. Become an expert on how to prepare for a paddle, row up and down the river, and other basic techniques as you canoe on the Christina River. Ages 8 and older. No unaccompanied children permitted without instructor approval.

SuN 4/191:00 Pm – 4:00 Pm

dEECmEmBER NON-mEmBER Child Child

$15 $22mEmBER NON-mEmBER

$15 $22#W15261dC


Programs


iking & m

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ardeningBotany &


Birdinglittle ones


expeditions &

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(all ages)

adult programs


fitness: yoga, h

iking and more

food, farm & veg gardening

This is a series based on The Call of the Farm by Rochelle Bilow. This memoir follows her seasonal journey and life on a full-diet farm. This is your opportunity to write your own Call of the Farm! Buy the book with your program registration, pick it up at the Hockessin Book Shelf, then come to the program.

January – One farm. One read.with michele Wales & rebecca dowling

Kick off a year “plowing” through the pages of The Call of the Farm by Rochelle Bilow. Winter brings Rochelle days of rendering lard and rotating cows through pastures. Our winter day brings us lard rendering and suet making to feed our back yard birds. We’ll also feed hay to our ruminants, warm up with snacks and a hot discussion of the book!

SAt 1/241:00 Pm – 3:00 Pm

COvERdAlEmEmBER NON-mEmBER

$20 $30BOOk COSt (iF uNOWNEd)

+$10#W15105CF

april – One farm. One read.with michele Wales & rebecca dowling

Spring has sprung the pages of The Call of the Farm by Rochelle Bilow to warmer weather and longer days. Spring means calves, daily milking, and butter making for Rochelle. Learn how to hand milk a Coverdale cow, turn cream to butter and bake corn bread (a staple for Rochelle and her farm friends). Nibble on our creations and have a refreshing discussion of the book!

SAt 4/2510:00 Am – 12:00 Pm


$20 $30BOOk COSt (iF uNOWNEd)

+$10#W15106CF

one Farm. one read. at Coverdale Farm

coverdale’s cooking classes are unique in the region. they offer participants of all ages a better understanding of where their food comes from – and frequently the chance to harvest the very ingredients that they cook. Coverdale’s cooking classes are held in our state-of-the-art kitchen.

choose your food. change The World!with Janis steele & Brooks mccutchen

Be deliciously inspired by this dynamic couple dedicated to our global and local food systems. They are the force behind Island Reach and Berkshire Sweet Gold Maple Syrup. Engage in vibrant conversation as they share their “Ridge to Reef” program in Vanuata, Melanesia and “Forest to Table” single batch maple syrup production in Massachusetts (a tasting is included!). Make it local by discovering how Coverdale is a new leader in local food system change!

SAt 1/171:00 Pm – 2:30 Pm


FREE* $5#v15100CF

food, farms &

veg Gardening

adult programs

*Walk-ins accepted. Pre-register to ensure we have space & materials for you: 302.239.2334 | delnature.org/programs | [email protected]

delnature.org/Blogs





programs for adults

“”

Coverdale Farm Preserve is a living classroom that connects communities to the sources of their food. There’s no other farm destination like it in the region.- Michele Wales

coverdale FarM preserve Manager

Delaware Nature Society and the Hockessin Book Shelf are excited to serve up an evening of cooking, eating, and epicurean conviviality. Each meeting of our cookbook club will feature an “A-list” cookbook, farm-fresh ingredients, a busy kitchen cooking up stellar recipes, and a feast straight from the pages of the book. After you register, pick up the book at the Hockessin Book Shelf – this book is included in your program fee.

march cookbook clubwith michele Wales

March is mushroom month at the farm! Celebrate with a feast for eyes and palate. A Cook’s Initiation into the Gorgeous World Mushrooms by Philippe Emanuelli welcomes you to the fungi family with 125 recipes using over 20 varieties of wild and cultivated delights. Cook from the pages of a book that is equally at home on a gourmet kitchen counter top or on a nature lover’s coffee table!

thu 3/56:30 Pm – 9:00 Pm

#W15108CF

february cookbook clubwith michele Wales

It’s Taco Time! Who can say “NO” to the most happy-making food on earth? Liven up your winter with a festive collection of Mexican flavor with a California twist. Tacolicious: Festive Recipes for Tacos, Snacks, Cocktails, and More by Sara Deseran shares the tortilla-wrapped secret for fun, accessible taqueria fare.

thu 2/56:30 Pm – 9:00 Pm

#W15107CF

COvERdAlEPRiCE PER ClASS:mEmBER NON-mEmBER

$55 $65

april cookbook clubwith michele Wales

Have you ever craved a different kind of diet? Open up your palate with Diana Henry’s A Change of Appetite. Follow one of England’s most loved food writers through her year of good eating. Migrate from a meat and heavy food center to a vegetable-forward, fish and grain-based approach that takes inspiration from world cuisine. Discover a fresher, healthier way of eating.

thu 4/26:30 Pm – 9:00 Pm

#W15109CF

Cookbook Club at Coverdale Farm



Programs


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expeditions &

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holy shiitake!with michele Wales & shaun Quinlan

Have you ever wanted to farm fungi? Tis’ the season to drill, tap, and seal your way to delicious wood-grown shiitakes. Cultivating this beautiful mushroom at home is easier than you may think. Learn key culture features such as where to site your log, strain wood preferences, the meaning of “flushing,” harvest tips, and tricks for re-fruiting. This workshop offers a culture class, a visit to the farm shiitake logs, preparing a log to take home, cooking demonstration & tasting.

SAt 3/1410:00 Am – 2:00 Pm


$55 $65#W15112CF


stews, Brews & starswith david pragoff, michele Wales & sheila vincent

Happy Friday! Welcome the weekend in the Coverdale kitchen with farm Chef Michele Wales as she dishes up seasonal farm-to-table stews. While savoring your stew, sip winter beer pairings selected by David Pragoff, staff Cicerone. Once festively warmed, staff Astronomer Sheila Vincent will tell the story of the winter sky. Using the naked eye, telescopes, and binoculars view glittering winter constellations; the ghostly Orion Nebula; brilliant Jupiter; the pretty little Pleiades, and more.

FRi 2/206:00 Pm – 9:00 Pm


$30 $45#W15111CF

Beer flight, Bird flightwith sally O’Byrne

Enjoy an interpretive stroll of the Wilmington Riverfront’s cultural and natural history with the author of Wilmington’s Waterfront and former Delmarva Ornithological Society president. After working up a thirst, finish at Iron Hill Brewery for a beer tasting and private brewery tour with the brew master.

Meeting Location: Iron Hill Brewery on the Wilmington Riverfront.

tuE 3/245:30 Pm – 7:30 Pm

iRON hill BREWERymEmBER NON-mEmBER

$25 $35#W15205dC

salve & kombucha Workshopwith sue Bara & kiri rowan

Master the secrets of making herbal healing salves and healthy kombucha tea! Learn a basic salve recipe and how to adapt the ingredients to tackle dry skin, relieve aches and pains, treat skin conditions, and create an herbal decongestant. Learn the history behind kombucha, what a “scoby” is, and how to brew and flavor your own large batch! Participants take home recipes, a small tin of salve, and a kombucha “scoby”.

SAt 2/2110:00 Am – 12:30 Pm


$25 $35#W15005AS

food, farms &

veg Gardening

adult programs

delnature.org/Blogs



conservation

red clay valley cleanup Volunteers are needed to help clean up roadways in the Red Clay Creek Valley.

Meet at Ashland Nature Center to receive your assignment. Gloves, vests, trash bags and refreshments will be provided. Appropriate for ages 12 and up.

SAt 3/288:00 Am – 12:00 Pm

AShlANdJuSt ShOW uP!

delnature.org/Volunteer >

christina river cleanup

Volunteers are needed to help

clean up the Christina River,

supporting clean water.

More than 75% of the public water supply

for residents and businesses in New

Castle County is provided by the Christina river watershed.

Questions: contact [email protected].

SAt 4/188:00 Am – 12:00 Pm

SigN uP tO

vOluNtEER

At thE BElOW

WEBSitE PAgE

www.ChristinaRiverCleanup.org

veolia Wastewater Treatment plant Tourwith sally O’Byrne

Tour the Veolia Wastewater Treatment Plant, where Wilmington sends its water for treatment before it is sent to the Delaware River. See the various steps in the treatment process and visit the holding ponds to look for ducks and other waterfowl that use them as a refuge.

FRi 3/612:00 Pm – 4:00 Pm

VAn LeAVeS FROMAShlANdmEmBER NON-mEmBER

$15 $22#W15006AS

certified Wildlife habitat Tourwith lori athey

Take this tour of local backyard gardens that are certified wildlife habitats. Learn how the owners have planned their gardens and how they incorporate native plants with winter interest. Get ideas to help you plan your own garden.

SAt 5/169:00 Am – 12:30 Pm


$15 $22#u15005AS


delnature.org/Volunteer


www.ChristinaRiverCleanup.org

Programs


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Birdinglittle ones


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programs for adults

Naturalist Certification SeriesA training course for the public, school teachers, and delaware Nature Society Teacher Naturalists

Whether you are just beginning your interest in nature, or wish to gain greater depth of understanding of local ecosystems, take advantage of this spring through fall course! Learn about the ecology of the Piedmont region and the flora and fauna that reside here during eight lectures and field trips led by experts. Each participant will complete a field and classroom notebook to become certified. School teachers can receive 60 hours of in-service credit and a partial refund. Tuition reinbursement for DNS employees. Call (302) 239-2334 ext. 115 for more information.

mAR-SEPtAShlANdmEmBER NON-mEmBER

$200 $250TuiTiOn reimBursemenT and crediT hOurs availaBle fOr sOme. see aT riGhT.

#W15010AS

mammals

LECTURE: Mar 26, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

FiELD TRiP: Mar 28, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PMwith Derek Stoner

Terrestrial ecosystems

LECTURE: April 29, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

FiELD TRiP: May 2, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PMwith Joe Sebastiani

reptiles & amphibians

LECTURE: May 28, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

FiELD TRiP: May 30, 5:30 PM – 11:00 PM with Jim White

Birds

LECTURE: Jun 4, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

FiELD TRiP: Jun 6, 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM with Derek Stoner

insects

LECTURE: Aug 6, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

FiELD TRiP: Aug 8, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PMwith Jim White

Wildflowers

LECTURE: Aug 25, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

FiELD TRiP: Aug 26, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PMwith Joe Sebastiani

Trees & shrubs

LECTURE: Sep 10, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

FiELD TRiP: Sep 12, 9:00 AM – NOONwith John Harrod

aquatic ecosystems

LECTURE: Sep 24, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

FiELD TRiP: Sep 26, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PMwith Kristin Travers & Lesley Bensinger

botany & garden tours

salve & kombucha Workshop Learn more on page 11SAt 2/21AShlANd

Botany & Garden Tours

conservation

adult programs

delnature.org/Blogs




flying Gardens: choices that change the worldwith author and birder kenn kaufman

Any time we plant something, from a single flower to a whole garden (or even an entire landscape), we change the world. What kinds of change will we introduce? That will depend on our basic sense of what an outdoor space can be.

The living landscape: designing for Beauty and Biodiversity in the home Gardenwith author and photographer rick darke

The richness of life in any landscape is linked to the richness of its layers, and this is true for both people and wildlife. With special attention to pollinators, this presentation will look at landscape layers from ground cover to canopy and will suggest ways to conserve, create and manage them in home gardens that are beautiful, biologically diverse, and joyfully livable.

Copeland Native Plant Seminar:Flying Gardens and living landscapes

Nationally recognized birder Kenn Kaufman and local author Rick Darke share their vision for enticing gardens that welcome people and wildlife. Their most recent books will be available for purchase and signing.

SAt 3/21AShlANd9:00 Am – 12:00 PmmEmBER NON-mEmBER

$25 $35#W15002AS

new year’s plant countwith Janet ebert

See how many species of plants can be found during the middle of winter with botanist Janet Ebert. Appreciate winter forms of native plants that you might want to incorporate into your garden, and how to identify various wildflowers, shrubs, vines, and trees at this time of year. Bring a bag lunch and dress for the weather.

SuN 1/1111:00 Am – 3:00 Pm


$10 $15#W15001AS

Branching Out: a Big Tree and history Tourwith Joe sebastiani & dan citron, historic site manager for auburn heights preserve

Tour northern New Castle County to see, appreciate, and measure the biggest trees of their kind in Delaware. Visit historic properties and other sites around Wilmington to see these trees and hear about some local history on this special experience. Bring a lunch.

FRi 3/209:00 Am – 4:00 Pm


$20 $30#W15008AS

Copeland Native Plant Series

Learn more about this series, these authors, and these classes at delnature.org/CopelandSeminar


delnature.org/CopelandSeminar

Programs


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Birdinglittle ones


expeditions &

eco Toursfam

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(all ages)

adult programs


50th Anniversary Bioblitz SeriesA series of 5 days where we’ll honor our 50th Anniversary joining together to record the variety of plants and animals in our preserves.


historic Waterfront van Tourwith sally O’Byrne

Travel Wilmington’s waterways from the landward side as we discover historic buildings and a city that was dependent on the Brandywine and Christina Rivers for power and transportation. Sally O’Byrne, co-author of Wilmington’s Waterfront, will lead this van tour, driving to parts of the city that reveal a varied past and help explain the city today.

FRi 4/101:00 Pm – 5:00 Pm

VAn LeAVeS FROMdEECmEmBER NON-mEmBER

$1O $15#W15206dC

Wildflowers of the susquehannawith Janet ebert & Joe sebastiani

Join us for a trip to one of the best wildflower locations in the mid-atlantic...the Susquehanna River hillsides. Spring wildflowers abound in this area with a diversity and abundance that will be sure to leave you impressed and inspired. Janet Ebert, local botanist, will lead the group with Joe Sebastiani.

tuE 4/289:00 Am – 3:00 Pm


$25 $40#W15015AS

Join a variety of naturalists, birders, botanists, herpetologists and Delaware Nature Society staff and explore our preserves to observe and record the wide variety of plants and animals that exist. How have our preserves changed over the past 50 years? We’ll search for rare plants, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and more.

Bioblitz 1 – ashland nature centerwith derek stoner, Jim White, & Joe sebastiani

This is the first in our 50th Anniversary Bioblitz Series. Walk the Ashland Nature Center natural lands to identify birds, wildflowers, trees, and everything we come across. Take home a checklist to mark your sightings, and to use on future 50th Anniversary Bioblitzes. Come help us and have fun!

SAt 4/118:00 Am – 12:00 Pm


FREE* $10#v15002AS

Botany & Garden Tours

adult programs


check our future program guides for more in this series

delnature.org/Blogs





programs for adults

birding

new castle county Tour – Great Backyard Bird countwith derek stoner & Joe sebastiani

Visit wetlands and shores of the Delaware River near New Castle and Delaware City to find and tally birds for the Great Backyard Bird Count. Gambacorta Marsh, Dragon Run, and the Delaware City Waterfront should provide us with looks at wintering waterfowl, raptors, and songbirds.

FRi 2/138:00 Am – 3:00 Pm


$15 $22#W15003AS

Owls and Other Winter raptorswith Jim White

Join us to search for all 8 species of owls that can be found in our area in winter, as well as other raptor species. Look for Great Horned, Screech, Barn, Barred, Short-eared, and possibly Long-eared and Saw-whet Owls. Will this be another winter the Snowy Owls comes down from the Arctic? Watch the skies for raptors like Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Northern Harrier, Bald Eagle and more. Bring a lunch and snacks. Dress for the weather.

SuN 2/158:00 Am – 7:00 Pm


$30 $45#W15004AS

chester county Waterfowl and country Tourwith Joe sebastiani

Tour Chester County’s best waterfowl locations including several lakes, a fish farm, and a water treatment plant during the height of duck migration. Enjoy some wonderful scenery as we tour beautiful Chester County. Bring binoculars and a lunch.

SAt 3/149:00 Am – 4:00 Pm


$20 $30#W15007AS


Programs


iking & m

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Birdinglittle ones


expeditions &

eco Toursfam

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(all ages)

adult programs


birding

Beginning Birding – early aprilwith damon Orsetti

Brush up on your birding and prepare for spring migration.

SAt 4/118:30 Am – 11:00 Am


$5 $9#W15202dC

sunday morning Birding at Bucktoe creek preservewith delaware nature society staff

Take a guided walk around the Bucktoe Creek Preserve to enjoy the diverse birdlife of this private 300-acre nature preserve near Kennett Square, PA. If you attend, we encourage you to consider becoming a Delnature Member at delnature.org/BecomeAMember.

SuNdAySJAN – APR8:00 Am – 11:00 Am

BuCktOE CREEk PRESERvEmEmBER NON-mEmBER

FREE FREEJuSt ShOW uP!

Beginning Birding – marchwith damon Orsetti

Find ducks, sparrows, and canadian migrants in the marsh.

SAt 3/218:30 Am – 11:00 Am


$5 $9#W15201dC

Beginning Birding – earth daywith damon Orsetti

Celebrate Earth Day by joining us on a late April evening bird walk. We will see some early spring migrants plus some winter stragglers.

WEd 4/225:30 Pm – 8:00 Pm


$5 $9#W15203dC

Thursday morning Birding at ashland nature centerwith Joe sebastiani

Join us on a guided walk around the Ashland Nature Center property for a look at the birds throughout the season. Search for birds in our old growth forest, meadows, and thickets during spring migration. If you attend, we encourage you to consider becoming a Delnature Member at delnature.org/BecomeAMember.

thuRSdAySAPR – mAy8:00 Am – 10:30 Am



weekly morning birding – Free guided walks

Beginning Birding

Birding

adult programs

delnature.org/Blogs





birding

mAR - NOvAShlANdmEmBER NON-mEmBER

$100 $150#W15009ASS

Earn a certification in Birding by learning identification and natural history of waterfowl, spring and fall migrant songbirds, shorebirds, and raptors. Take 5 field trips during the course of the year with our experts, and create a journal of your experience in order to be certified.

Waterfowl

Sunday, Mar 22, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMwith Derek Stoner

songbirds of spring migration

Saturday, May 16, 7:00 AM – 11:00 AMwith Joe Sebastiani

fall migrant songbirds

Sunday, Sep 13, 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM with Derek Stoner

fall raptor migration

Saturday, Nov 7, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMwith Sally O’Byrne

shorebirds along the Bay

Saturday, Aug 29, 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM with Joe Sebastiani

Birding Certification Serieswith derek stoner, Joe sebastiani, & sally O’Byrne

spring migration preparation Workshopwith derek stoner, hank davis, & Joe sebastiani

Get prepared to identify the migrants of spring by studying specimens, a guided powerpoint tour, song comparisons, and a tour of eBird with birding experts. Afterwards, you will have more confidence in your ability to identify spring songbird migrants by sight and sound, and will excited to let the spring season unfold!

tuE 4/76:30 Pm – 8:30 Pm


$10 $20#W15012AS

nestWatch Training at ashland nature centerwith Joe sebastiani

Become a citizen scientist and make a difference! Learn how to safely and properly monitor bird nests, and contribute towards the conservation and study of birds by joining the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s NestWatch program. Delaware Nature Society is the Delaware Chapter of NestWatch, and the training will prepare you to monitor bird boxes as well as other wild nests you find whether you help with a bluebird box project or want to monitor birds in your yard.

WEd 4/86:00 Pm – 8:00 Pm


FREE* $5#v15007AS

programs for adults





Programs


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Birdinglittle ones


expeditions &

eco Toursfam

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(all ages)

adult programs


Birding

adult programs

expeditions & ecotravel

nebraska: sandhill crane migration and chickens on the prairieleader: Jim White

Spend three nights at a 12,000-acre ranch in the Sandhill region of Nebraska, one of America’s last great prairie ecosystems, and see Prairie-chickens and Sharp-tailed Grouse mating rituals at close range. Witness hundreds of thousands of Sandhill Crane as they stop along the Platte River in their migration, one of North America’s greatest wildlife spectacles.

FULL DETAiLS & REGiSTRATiON:

mON 3/23/2015 – FRi 3/27/2015mEmBERS ONly

$1,030 ($240 sinGle supplemenT. $250 depOsiT. reGisTer By 1/23/2015)

tRiP#: t15802AS

delnature.org/Travel >

adirondacks cross country skiing Tripsleaders: dave pro & Brian Winslow

The New York Adirondacks provide the ideal cross country skiing and snowshoeing adventure and receives an average of 100 inches of snow each winter. Enjoy a remote setting in this famous park.


SuN 2/8/2015 – WEd 2/11/2015mEmBERS ONly

$695 ($ 105 sinGle supplemenT. reGisTer By 1/8/15)

tRiP#: t15830ASdelnature.org/Travel >

West Texas: Big Bend national park and davis mountainsleaders: Joe sebastiani & John harrod

West Texas is an area of wide open spaces, dramatic mountain ranges, desert grasslands, high elevation forests, and a wide diversity of birds, plants, mammals, and butterflies. This trip is timed to take advantage of blooming cactus and migratory bird diversity in this region, the Texas Trans-Pecos.


SAt 4/18/2015 – SAt 4/25/2015mEmBERS ONly

$1,699 ($250 depOsiT. $455 sinGle supplemenT)

tRiP#: t15838AS


expeditions &

ecotravel

delnature.org/Blogs


delnature.org/Travel




expeditions & ecotravelGreat lakes, Grasslands, and the kirtland’s Warblerleader: derek stoner

Get ready for an epic adventure ranging from savannahs and grasslands of Ohio, to stunning views of Lake Huron and Michigan, and of course, our quest for the Kirtland’s Warbler. This trip will take you to northern forests to see nesting species such as Blackburnian Warbler and Evening Grosbeaks to towering sand dunes and bluffs along the Great Lakes.


mON 6/1/ 2015 – SuN 6/7/2015mEmBERS ONly

$1,000 ($250 depOsiT. $250 sinGle supplemenT)

tRiP#: t15835AS


costa rica: a World of natureleader: derek stoner

Enjoy a journey to Costa Rica to experience a broad array of wildlife, vast rainforest, national parks, a volcano, and plenty more! You’ll look for over 200 species of tropical birds, plus amphibians, reptiles, butterflies, sloths, bats, and other mammals of the rainforest.


SuN 10/25/2015 – thR 11/5/2015mEmBERS ONly

PRiCE tBd ($500 depOsiT)

tO lEARN mORE, CAll 302.239.2334 x134

tRiP#: t15801AS


give the gift of Delnature MembershipWith their membership, they’ll...

• Join a nature-loving community

• Protect natural lands and wildlife• enjoy discount prices on our programs and

summer camps and when shopping select local businesses

or call 302.239.2334

you may also make a donation in a loved one’s honor at delnature.org/HonoraryGiving

delnature.org/GiftMembership >




delnature.org/HonoraryGiving

delnature.org/GiftMembership

Programs


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Birdinglittle ones


expeditions &

eco Toursfam

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(all ages)

adult programs


family time

Programs for families with kids of all agesAdult participation required.

can you candle?with mary Boeni

Looking for a warming way to light up the night? Learn to be a chandler of hand dipped tapers. Why are they called tapers? What is the unit called a foot-candle? Discover the difference between tallow, beeswax, and modern candle wax while learning the enlightening history of candle-making. Get your hands waxy making rolled beeswax candles, dipped tallow candles and a few other types. Go home with little beacons of light for your winter nights which are hand crafted by you! Materials included.

SuN 1/111:00 Pm – 3:30 Pm

COvERdAlEmEmBER NON-mEmBER Child Child


$10 $20#W15160CF

Winter hikes - Warming snackswith rob Wiest

Winter is a restful time for the life inhabiting our 352-acre Coverdale Farm Preserve. Come observe the transition to spring on these monthly hikes from farm to field to forest and beyond. Discover native wildlife waking from winter sleep, observe returning migrants, watch the frozen farm green, and mark the arrival of farm babies. Warm up in the farm kitchen, preparing seasonal snacks. Dress for outdoor adventure!

3Rd SuNdAyS JAN – APR1:00 Pm – 3:00 Pm


$10/dAy $15/dAy

mEmBER NON-mEmBER

$10/dAy $15/dAy

JAN 18: #W15165CF

FEB 15: #W15166CF

mAR 15: #W15167CF

APR 19: #W15168CF

family Tim

e (all ages)

spring into nature

Celebrate Earth Day by meeting live animals, guided nature walks, making a craft and trying your hand at netting minnows and other little critters the marsh! Bring your family and learn about how our daily decisions impact the environment and how to protect wildlife habitats.

No pre-registration required.

SAt 4/25 12:00 Pm – 4:00 Pm



running of the millLearn more on page 6mONthly

ABBOtt’S

adult programs

expeditions &

ecotravel

summer camp Open housewith derek stoner, helen fischel, & Joe sebastianiBring your future campers and your questions to the Summer Camp Open House where we will have live animals and other activities, plus several staff on hand to answer your questions about camp. Receive a $25 coupon (1 per family) for camp by attending. Snacks and beverages will be provided. No pre-registration required.

WEd 3/25 5:30 Pm – 7:00 PmAShlANdmEmBER NON-mEmBERFREE FREEJuSt ShOW uP!

delnature.org/Blogs



family time

lunch with live animalsJoin us in our snapper lab to help feed our black ratsnake, snapping turtle and other critters. No pre-registration required.

SAtuRdAyS12:00 Pm – 12:30 Pm


FREE FREEJuSt ShOW uP

netting in the marshExplore the marsh with nets to see how many animals and insects you can catch and identify. No pre-registration required.

tuE-SuN2:00 Pm – 2:45 Pm



meet marsh animals Meet live animals from our collection including a painted turtle and green frog and then take a walk to look for more. No pre-registration required.

tuE-SuN1/1 – 3/91:00 Pm – 1:45 Pm

3/10 – 4/303:00 Pm – 3:45 Pm



Free each week!come visit dupont environmental education center (deec) and enjoy programs year-round!

Winter raptor Workshopwith Joe sebastiani

Join us for an afternoon of learning about raptors such as hawks, eagles, and falcons. This program is for the whole family, with multiple sessions happening at once. See a presentation on raptors to learn about their daily lives, featuring photos from our staff. Learn how to identify raptors in flight, see raptor taxidermy, and more. Snacks and beverages will be provided.

SuN 2/12:00 Pm – 4:00 Pm

AShlANdmEmBER NON-mEmBER Child Child

FREE* $5mEmBER NON-mEmBER

FREE* $5#v15005AS

Owl moonwith sue Bara

Who can swoop down and grab small running animals when it is pitch dark outside? Owls, of course! Visit Ashland in the evening to find out which owls are spreading their silent wings over the winter landscape. Learn about their calls and incredible night senses. Read the book Owl Moon before setting out on an owl prowl through Ashland’s forests.

SAt 2/76:30 Pm – 8:30 Pm



$7 $12#W15061AS


maple sugaring celebrationwith hannah Greenberg & rebecca Wadman

Work up an appetite while walking to our maple trees to learn how Native Americans developed the technique of producing sugar from certain trees. Observe tapped trees at Ashland, then boil down some sap into syrup and taste it before returning for a pancake and maple syrup brunch.

SAt 2/21 10:00 Am – 12:00 Pm



$7 $12#W15062AS


Programs


iking & m

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Birdinglittle ones


expeditions &

eco Toursfam

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(all ages)

adult programs


family timeGreen Thumb party (ages 6+)with dan O’Brien

Join our resident green thumb, Coverdale CSA Farmer Dan O’Brien, for one exciting planting party. Help get the 2015 farming season started by seeding spring beauties kale, cabbage, and broccoli. Sow summer delights like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant. Take a wintry tour of the fields and hoop houses, and warm up with a yummy snack.

SuN 2/22 1:00 Pm – 3:00 Pm



$5 $8#W15162CF

archery in amish country (ages 8+)with corey harrison

Spend an afternoon shooting bows and arrows at Lancaster Archery Supply - the world’s largest archery store. Test your skills with recurve and compound bows, with traditional targets and a challenging video archery course. Then head to the nearby Amish-style buffet at the famous Good N’ Plenty restaurant for an all-you-can-eat dinner. Range fees and buffet ticket included in fee.

SAt 2/28 12:30 Pm – 7:00 Pm



$45 $60#W15063AS

family Tim

e (all ages)

*Pre-register to ensure we have space & materials for you: 302.239.2334 | delnature.org/programs | [email protected]

egg drop challengewith delaware nature society staff

Compete in the DEEC Family Egg Drop Challenge! Family members earn team points and use them to purchase materials for the great drop. Will your egg survive a drop from the 2nd, then 3rd and finally 4th floor? The winning team gets an egg-travagant prize!

SAt 3/14 1:00 Pm – 3:00 Pm


$7 $12PAy ONly FOR Child WhO dROPS Egg, SuPERviSiNg AdultS ARE FREE

#W15260dC

Orienteering & Geocachingwith rebecca Wadman

Learn how to go Orienteering and try a simple course around Ashland. Afterwards, use a GPS to navigate to 3 “caches” on the property and learn how you can do this on your own anywhere on earth! Bring your own GPS or use one of ours.

SAt 3/21 1:00 Pm – 4:00 Pm

AShlANdmEmBER NON-mEmBER iNdividuAl iNdividuAl

$7 $12mEmBER NON-mEmBER FAmily FAmily

$15 $25#W15064AS

frog festivalwith rebecca Wadman

Join us for a fun afternoon of celebrating All Things Frog! Meet local favorites like Wood Frogs, Spring Peepers, and Pickerel Frogs. The marshes and puddles are full of frog activity and action, and we will search for our favorite amphibians in all their favorite hiding places.

SAt 4/11 2:00 Pm – 4:00 Pm


FREE* $5mEmBER NON-mEmBER

FREE* $5#v15008AS

delnature.org/Blogs





family time

Fun nature themes Meet live animals Your place or ours Beautiful scenery

Throw your child aBiRthdAy PARtyto remember

see our themes & learn more:delnature.org/Birthdays

Join the christina river cleanup & red clay valley cleanupLearn more on page 12


afternoon farm chores (ages 6+)with Jessica shahan

Help end the farm day with afternoon chores. Roll up your sleeves and lend a hand feeding and milking cows, bottle feeding calves, feeding pigs, chickens, chicks and sheep. We’ll clean water tubs, scrub the milking machine and sweep the barn. Help us with the work we do 365 days each year!

SuN 3/22 4:30 Pm – 6:30 Pm



$5 $8#W15163CF

coverdale field party (ages 6+)with dan O’Brien

Get down and dirty with the coolest vegetable field party in town. Join Coverdale Community Supported Agriculture Farmer, Dan O’Brien to break ground and plant the spring seedling in our 7-acre production garden. Help us transplant the delicate greenhouse grown vegetables. Take a tour of the emerging crops and discover what will be growing in the 2015 season. Snacks included!

SuN 4/12 1:00 Pm – 3:00 Pm



$5 $8#W15164CF

earth day canoe Trip (ages 8+)with ed rohrbach & lesley Bensinger

Learn how to canoe while taking in the beautiful Riverfront view. Become an expert on how to prepare for a paddle, row up and down the river, and other basic techniques as you canoe on the Christina River.

SuN 4/191:00 Pm – 4:00 Pm



$15 $20#W15261dC


delnature.org/Birthdays

Programs


iking & m

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s & veg G

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Birdinglittle ones


expeditions &

eco Toursfam

ily Time

(all ages)

adult programs


family Tim

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little ones: preschool

little ones(ages 1.5-5)

Farm Preschool (ages 2 – 4)Join the farm fun at our Coverdale Farm Preschool. Your child will enjoy exciting farm activities with music, stories, snacks, arts and crafts, and exercise.

New theme each month...

EvERy OthER tuESdAyJAN – APR9:30 Am – 11:30 Am

COvERdAlEPRiCE PER ClASS:mEmBER NON-mEmBER Child Child

$6* $10*#W15131CF

EvERy OthER thuRSdAyJAN – APR1:00Pm – 3:00Pm

COvERdAlEPRiCE PER ClASS:mEmBER NON-mEmBER Child Child

$6* $10*#W15132CF

January: Winter & animalsTuesdays (9:30 AM – 11:30 PM) Jan 6 with Alyssa Molin-Graves & Robert Wiest Jan 20 with Alyssa Molin-Graves & Robert Wiest

Thursdays (1:00 PM – 3:00 PM) Jan 8 with Mary Boeni & Judi VanderWerff Jan 22 with Judi VanderWerff & Robert Wiest

February: Groundhogs & valentinesTuesdays (9:30 AM – 11:30 PM) Feb 3 with Alyssa Molin-Graves & Mary Boeni Feb 17 with Alyssa Molin-Graves & Judi VanderWerff

Thursdays (1:00 PM – 3:00 PM) Feb 5 with Mary Boeni & Joanne Smeltz Feb 19 with Joanne Smeltz & Judi VanderWerff

March: Weather & seedsTuesdays (9:30 AM – 11:30 PM) Mar 3 with Alyssa Molin-Graves & Mary Boeni Mar 17 with Robert Wiest & Alyssa Molin-Graves

Thursdays (1:00 PM – 3:00 PM) Mar 5 with Mary Boeni & Joanne Smeltz Mar 19 with Robert Wiest

April: farm Babies & springtimeTuesdays (9:30 AM – 11:30 PM) Mar 31 with Alyssa Molin-Graves & Robert Wiest Apr 14 with Alyssa Molin-Graves & Robert Wiest Apr 28 with Alyssa Molin-Graves & Robert Wiest

Thursdays (1:00 PM – 3:00 PM) Apr 2 with Joanne Smeltz & Robert Wiest Apr 16 with Judi VanderWerff & Joanne Smeltz Apr 30 with Mary Boeni & Robert Wiest

Meet Miss Joanne, Miss Judi, Miss Alyssa, Mr. Robert, & Miss Mary

Participating children ages 2 – 4 may attend without parent supervision. Parents and siblings under age 2 may stay and watch without participating. Walk-ins accepted. Pre-register to ensure we have space & materials for you: 302.239.2334 | delnature.org/programs | [email protected]

delnature.org/Blogs





little ones: parent & me

feathers, furs, and scaleswith susan ryan

Explore the different body coverings of mammals, birds, reptiles and fish. How do the different colors and patterns keep the animals safe? Find out! Snack included.

Drop-ins are welcome. Space is limited, pre-registration ensures your spot.

WEd 3/1810:00 Am – 11:30 Am


$6 $10#W15230dC

programs for parents with little ones (ages 1.5 – 5)

Winter Walk & story Time firewith Jessica shahan

Bundle up and head outside for a winter walk. Discover how plants and animals are surviving the season. Return inside for a story by a warm roaring fire and snack.


FRi 2/131:00 Pm – 2:30 Pm


$6 $10#W15030AS

dr. seuss’ Birthday partywith Judy montgomery

Help us celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday! Find a turtle that looks like “Yertle”, try to catch “One fish, Two fish” in our stream, make your own “Foot Book” of animal footprints, and hear an “ABC Book” about Ashland. Have a Seuss Snack and make a birthday hat. Bring your favorite Dr. Seuss books along.


tuE 3/31:00 Pm – 2:30 Pm


$8 $14#W15032AS

maple magicwith hannah Greenberg

The sap is flowing so let’s go tap a tree! Visit maple trees to collect sap and make some maple syrup to taste. Snack included.


mON 2/239:30 Am – 11:00 Am


$6 $10#W15031AS

Adult participation required. Free for parents and siblings under the age of 1.5 years.


Programs


iking & m

ore food, farm

s & veg G

ardeningBotany &


Birdinglittle ones


expeditions &

eco Toursfam

ily Time

(all ages)

adult programs


little ones: parent & me

little ones(ages 1.5-5)

meet the mallardswith Jessica shahan

Get up close with domestic Mallard Ducks at Ashland, and watch them swim, splash, eat, drink, and fly! Have your photo taken with these special ducks. Snack included.


WEd 4/89:30 Am – 11:00 Am


$6 $10#W15033AS

celebrate earth day!with lesley Bensinger

Save the planet one craft at a time! Read a story, plant a seed and make a pot from recycled paper. Snack included.


WEd 4/22 10:00 Am – 11:30 Am


$6 $10#W15231dC

froggy fun Timewith helen fischel

Go outside to listen for peepers, catch a tadpole, feel a toad and spot a newt. Enjoy a frog hoppin’ snack.


tuE 4/28 9:30 Am – 11:00 Am


$6 $10#W15034AS

check out our free weekly family programs

Learn more on page 21 – 22

Throw your child a

BiRthdAy PARtyto remember

see our themes & learn more:delnature.org/Birthdays

delnature.org/Blogs




animals in Winter day campwith hannah Greenberg

Discover winter wildlife on your day off from school. Look for animal tracks frozen in the marsh mud (or snow!), check the motion sensor night camera, and hike the refuge to find how animals survive winter in the marsh. Complete a camouflaged craft.

Camp activities last until 3:30 but campers are welcome to stay for fun until 5:00 at no additional charge.

Campers should bring a bag lunch and dress for outside.

mON 2/168:00 Am – 5:00 Pm


$45 $65#W15090AS

Parents’ Night outSet mom and dad loose to have dinner along Wilmington’s Riverfront while you stay at DuPont Environmental Education Center and have all the fun with games. Dinner provided. Parents receive a coupon for Timothy’s Riverfront Grill.

hearts in naturewith lesley Bensinger

Make a special valentine for our sweet marsh animals.

FRi 2/13#W15251dC

earth day with lesley Bensinger

Focus on creating a healthier planet for today and our future.

FRi 4/10#W15253dC

star Gazerswith lesley Bensinger

Discover the stars above.

FRi 3/13#W15252dC

PRiCE PER ClASS:mEmBER NON-mEmBER

$15 $206:30 Pm – 8:30 Pm

dEEC

just kids: ages 5-12

Throw your kid a nature-themed

BiRthdAy PARtydelnature.org/Birthdays

spring Break day camp

Explore wild wetlands of Wilmington during spring break with Megan Hawkins.

TUESDAY: Get muddy as you look for signs of spring in an aquatic investigation.

WEDNESDAY: a lesson in nature photography.

THURSDAY: Scavenger hunts. Can you get a shot of where the city, river and marsh meet? Geocache, letterbox and use photographic clues to find prizes.

Camp activities last until 3:30 but campers are welcome to stay for fun until 5:00 at no additional charge. Campers should bring a bag lunch and dress for outside.

thREE-dAy PRiCEmEmBER NON-mEmBER Child Child

$125 $185#W15290dC

tuE 4/7 – thR 4/9 8:30 Am – 5:00 Pm

dEEC

SiNglE-dAy PRiCEmEmBER NON-mEmBER Child Child

$45/day $65/day

#W15290dC



Programs


iking & m

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Birdinglittle ones


expeditions &

eco Toursfam

ily Time

(all ages)

adult programs


just kids: tweens & teensJust kids (ages 5-18)

Teen naturalists: adventure, nature study, and volunteering (ages 13–17)with carrie scheick, hannah Greenberg & steve rombach

Are you a teenager that likes hiking, kayaking, camping, wildlife, and just being outside? Join our group and make new friends that like to do the same thing!

We meet monthly and take a 5-day trip each summer into the wild. Adventure, nature study, and volunteering 10 hours for Delaware Nature Society during the year are all part of the club.

For information and the full schedule, call 302.239.2334 ext. 115.

mONthlyJAN - Aug timES vARy

AShlANdmEmBER

$100 mEmBERS ONlyreGisTraTiOn fee dOes nOT include cOsT fOr OccasiOnal OverniGhT Trips Or a Week-lOnG summer Trip.

#W15050AS

young naturalists club (ages 9–12)with ashley kennedy & Jeff haas

Join this group of nature lovers, bug collectors, snake finders, and explorers. Look for wildlife, take hikes, go fishing, cook over a fire, and enjoy outdoor games. Explore streams, woods, fields, and wetlands searching for reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals. This club for nature kids meets the last Sunday of each month.

mONthly ON lASt

SuNdAySJAN – mAy9:00 Am – 12:00 Pm

AShlANdmEmBER

$60 mEmBERS ONly

#W15051AS

survival skills Overnight (ages 9–12)with kathy szczerba

Do you have what it takes to survive out in the wild? Join us for an overnight to learn some important basic skills. Try your hand at fire building, learn how to safely use a pocket knife and build a shelter. Explore the trails of Ashland learning about wild edible plants and how to track animals. A list of what to bring will be sent.

SuN 4/25 – mON 4/263:00 Pm – 3:00 Pm


$30 $45#W15053AS

Wizards & lizards Overnight (ages 9–12)with Judy montgomery

Pack your wands and your sleeping bags. Join us for this classic wintry Wizardry event. Spooky spells, fireside readings, a starlit hike and classes in the Ashland Lodge are all included. Bring a “wizard’s” dinner to swap. Breakfast, lunch and snacks included. Registrants will receive a list of what to bring.

SuN 2/15 – mON 2/163:00 Pm – 5:00 Pm


$65 $95#W15052AS

delnature.org/Blogs


We’Re PRePARInG FOR OuR JOuRney AHeAD

Priorities for 2015

Connect people with nature We’ll open our nature centers and preserves to you more with increased hours and more hands-on open-houses and events

Collaborate with our neighborsWe’ll work together with our local groups and neighbors for clean water

Conserve natural habitatsWe’ll help you and your neighbors create natural habitats in your back yards and communities

Build our capacity to help We’ll show more local groups how they can help create a healthy, sustainable environment for us all

We need your support to continue our journey

delnature.org/Donatedelnature.org/Donate

Thank you to our sponsors

A N N I V E

RS

AR

Y

Celebrating 50 years of excellent programs, fun annual events, and conservation and advocacy efforts to increase our region’s environmental health and beauty.



Programs


iking & m

ore food, farm

s & veg G

ardeningBotany &


Birdinglittle ones


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eco Toursfam

ily Time

(all ages)

adult programs


you may also register online at:


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For a

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All programs must be paid in full at the time of registration either by check or credit card. We cannot hold spaces pending receipt of payment. To receive member discount rate, your membership must be current through the date of your scheduled program. Delaware Nature Society reserves the right to charge the non-member rate for programs that occur after the expiration date of your membership. Refunds and Cancellations: Requests for withdrawal 5 business days or more prior to the scheduled program date will be honored. Requests less the 5 business days will be issued if the slot is filled or at the discretion of the Education staff. Programs may be cancelled due to low enrollment. Full refunds will be issued for program cancellations.Photographs/Video: Delaware Nature Society reserves the right to use any photos/video/artwork of program participants to promote our mission unless otherwise notified in writing.

delnature.org/Blogs





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Nature of delaware BlogYour source for local natural happenings, tales from the outdoors, expert naturalist photos, and field trip reports.

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A special thanks to contributing photographers! See our featured photographers at delnature.org/Photographers

Blooms with imPACtplants for people & pollinators

d e l A W A r e N A T u r e S o C i e T y

Native Plant Sale2015

apr 30 – may 1: members only | may 2 – 3: open to publiccoverdale farm preserve, 543 way road, greenville, de

delnature.org/nativePlantSale >

Summer Camp

Open House

See you there!

Ashland Nature Center

WeD, MARCH 25 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

live animals, dip-netting,

camp instructors &

refreshments.

ATTeNdeeS GeT A

cOupOn (for camp, 1 per family)$25 “My son enjoyed the highly

creative offerings of this camp.- SummER CAmP PARENt, 2014

delaware nature societyp.O. Box 700hockessin, de 19707

delnature.org/Blog >

Cooking, nature exploration, camping, canoeing, kayaking,

survival skills, and so much more

Get outdoors, explore & discover at our

Summer Camp

delnature.org/SummerCamp >Camp signup starts January 12, 2015


delnature.org/Photographers

delnature.org/NativePlantSale

delnature.org/Blog

delnature.org/SummerCamp

delaware nature society 2015 winter to spring program guide

Documents

seasonal programs

adults programs

kids programs

coverdale farm preserve

family time programs

little ones programs

coverdale farm adultsee

aprat coverdale farm