Delaware Nature Society

Delaware Nature Society Delaware Nature Society's mission is connecting people and nature to create a healthy environment for all through education, conservation, and advocacy.
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Delaware Nature Society works to improve the environment through education, conservation, and advocacy. www.DelNature.org

A 2025 Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) study led by NatureServe and collaborators found that 22.6...
08/31/2026

A 2025 Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) study led by NatureServe and collaborators found that 22.6% of native North American pollinators are at an elevated risk of extinction
(cornelisse-et-al-2025-elevated-extinction-risk-in-over-one-fifth-of-native-north-american-pollinators.pdf)

Overall risk: 22.6% of assessed pollinators face elevated extinction risk.
Most threatened group: Bees - 34.7% of native bee species at risk, with leafcutter and digger bees among the most imperiled.
Other at-risk groups: butterflies (19.5%), moths (16.1%), flower flies (14.7%).
All three pollinating bat species are at risk.

Want to make a difference in your yard to support pollinators?

Join us at our Fall Native Plant Sale where you can choose from a wide variety of regionally appropriate plant species to increase plant diversity and garden for wildlife!

Fall Native Plant Sale 2026:
Member Day: Friday, September 18: 3pm - 6pm
Public Sale Day: Saturday, September 19: 9am - 3pm

Learn More Here:
https://delawarenaturesociety.org/event/nativeplantsale
/

Spend September with DelNature! September kicks off our fall lineup of programs, and there’s always something for everyo...
08/28/2026

Spend September with DelNature! September kicks off our fall lineup of programs, and there’s always something for everyone. From events designed for adults to fun, family-friendly programs, there are plenty of ways to get outside, explore, and enjoy the season together!

Head to DelNature.org to see our calendar!

Due to damage caused by the storms yesterday, the Nature Nook inside the Visitor Center, the pollinator garden, and butt...
08/28/2026

Due to damage caused by the storms yesterday, the Nature Nook inside the Visitor Center, the pollinator garden, and butterfly habitat at Ashland Nature Center will be closed to the public until further notice. The lobby inside the Visitor Center will be open today (8/28) and closed tomorrow (8/29). The Visitor Center will resume normal hours on Sunday (8/30). Trails will remain open during normal hours. Thank you for your understanding.

08/27/2026

ATTENTION: Ashland Nature Center is closed today, August 27, due to severe weather. A tree is also blocking part of Barley Mill Road just beyond the Ashland Covered Bridge. Camp families should check the Homeroom app for more updates.

Join us on Thursday, September 10 from 6pm - 8pm, for our Backyard Garden Design Workshop! Join Habitat Outreach Manager...
08/27/2026

Join us on Thursday, September 10 from 6pm - 8pm, for our Backyard Garden Design Workshop! Join Habitat Outreach Manager, Kerry Wilson and other plant experts for a step-by-step workshop on designing your home native plant garden. Get help on the best plants for your space and what plants you need to attract your favorite birds and pollinators. By the end of the workshop you will create your own garden plan that includes what plants you need, where to plant them, and how to care for your garden!

Meet your instructor and plant experts!
Kerry Wilson: Kerry serves as the Habitat Outreach Manager for the Delaware Nature Society. She brings a strong scientific background and a career rooted in conservation and environmental education. In her role with DelNature, Kerry collaborates with individuals, neighborhoods, and community partners to create and enhance wildlife habitat through native plantings. Most recently, she has focused on expanding Wilmington’s urban pollinator corridor through a range of targeted habitat projects. Kerry is deeply committed to promoting equitable access to nature, providing immersive educational experiences, and strengthening the connection between native plants and local food systems.

Rachel: Rachel has focused on native plant gardening for over 20 years. "Although I have a small yard, I have managed to plant numerous native plants. I have been working at the Native Plant sale for over 15 years."

Mike: "I started my horticultural career as a fine gardener. I transitioned into native plants and habitat gardening in 2001 when I took a position at Flint Woods Preserve in Centerville, DE. Flint Woods is a 175 acre estate of woodlands and meadows managed for habitat. I retired in 2016 and continue to maintain my acre and half property in Avondale, PA as a Certified Wildlife Habitat."

Learn more here: https://tinyurl.com/5ax4cuf6

Our Fall Native Plant Sale returns September 19, bringing an exciting selection of native plants to help you create a be...
08/26/2026

Our Fall Native Plant Sale returns September 19, bringing an exciting selection of native plants to help you create a beautiful, thriving garden. Find plants suited to a variety of growing conditions that conserve water, add seasonal interest, and provide valuable food and shelter for birds, pollinators, and other beneficial creatures.

And this year, we’re excited to introduce our first-ever Member Day at the Fall Native Plant Sale! With the sale expected to be bigger and better than last year, there will be even more to explore. Don’t miss your chance to stock up on native plants and make your garden a haven for people and nature!

Fall Native Plant Sale 2026:
Member Day: Friday, September 18: 3pm - 6pm
Public Sale Day: Saturday, September 19: 9am - 3pm

Learn More Here: https://delawarenaturesociety.org/event/nativeplantsale/

From the Market this week! The Market is stocked with all the fresh, seasonal vegetables you need. Stop by this weekend ...
08/26/2026

From the Market this week! The Market is stocked with all the fresh, seasonal vegetables you need. Stop by this weekend and pick up some of your favorites!

The Market at Coverdale Farm Preserve
543 Way Rd, Greenville, DE

Hours
Friday: 12:00pm - 6:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am - 5:00pm
Sundays: 11:00am - 3:00pm

September marks the start of hawk watch season, where trained observers count the numbers of a variety of hawks as they ...
08/24/2026

September marks the start of hawk watch season, where trained observers count the numbers of a variety of hawks as they pass overhead on their southward migration. There are two long-time hawk watches in Delaware resulting from a partnership between Delaware DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife , the Delaware Ornithological Society, and the Delaware Nature Society. One is at Cape Henlopen State Park and the other at our own Ashland Nature Center. Hawk watches run 7 days a week from September 1st to November 30th. We are looking for volunteers with different levels of involvement, ranging from recording data, helping the counter spot hawks, or even being a substitute hawk counter!

DNREC has set up a training session to be held at Ashland Nature Center on Wednesday August 26th, from 6pm to 8pm. Learn what a hawk watch is, the history of our two hawk watches, and how you can get involved in this fun yet scientifically important activity. There is also a virtual option so you can watch from home!

Learn More Here: https://dnrec.delaware.gov/events/interest-meeting-2026-hawk-watch/

08/23/2026

Please be advised that the DuPont Environmental Education Center will be closed August 24–28 for maintenance.

08/21/2026

Thank you to Secretary Patterson and Delaware DNREC for visitng Johnston Park this week! Kerry Wilson and the DelNature team have been working hard to coordinate this project. We hope it continues to serve as a model for green infrastructure in the City of Wilmington while providing a beautiful space for the community.

Address

3511 Barley Mill Road
Hockessin, DE
19707

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+13022392334

Website

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