Nanticoke Watershed Alliance

09/02/2026

: Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) is a late summer bloomer, growing 4-6 ft tall along sunny thickets, streambanks, and meadows. This plant needs constant moisture, but has a low tolerance for standing water. Its long pointed textured leaves are joined across the hairy stem in a way that looks like they are one leaf perforated by the stem. Flat clusters of white tufted flowers draw multiple species of pollinators because of the easy access to boneset’s nectar. In late fall, hairy fruit (achenes) spread its seeds in the wind. Boneset makes an interesting addition to dried arrangements. Historically, the plant has been used in medicine, but all of its parts are potentially toxic. Caterpillars of several moths feed on boneset, including the Blackberry Looper. 📸Photo: H Zell CC-BY-SA 3.0

09/01/2026

: Possumhaw viburnum (Viburnum nudum) grows 12-20 ft. tall in moist soil and full sun to part shade conditions and can be found along ponds, bogs, and wet woodlands. It is a low-maintenance addition to a rain garden, attracting pollinators, birds, and small mammals (*possums) with its nectar and fruit. Spring brings creamy white flat-topped flower clusters and deep green glossy foliage. Then in late summer to early fall, red, black, blue, green, and pink berries form sometimes all at once, while the leaves turn deep red. Possumhaw viburnum’s tart fruit can be made into jams and jellies, and its roots have been used by Native Americans medicinally. It is a host plant for the Spring Azure butterfly and the Hummingbird Clearwing moth. 📸Photo 1: Stephanie Brundage; Photo 2: Alan Cressler.

08/28/2026

You're Invited to NWA's Native Plant & Seed Swap on October 24! - https://mailchi.mp/nanticokeriver/2026nativeswap

08/27/2026

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who joined us last Monday for our Rain Barrel Workshop, hosted in partnership with at the ! 🌧️

We had an amazing turnout and were so excited to send so many local friends home with their very own rain barrel!

Thank you for helping us make a difference for our environment by conserving water, & reducing runoff 💚

08/26/2026

: Blue mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum) can grow up to 3 ft tall in sunny, moist conditions. The rounded, triangular leaves have a tangy scent when crushed. Blue mistflower’s bright, light blue, fluffy flowers are a feast for pollinators from late summer through fall, and the seeds feed birds and small mammals over winter. Blue mistflower spreads quite rapidly once established, and can become a nuisance in small gardens. However, it is excellent for establishing ditch or stream banks, wet meadows, or wood margins!

08/25/2026

: Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) shrubs grow 5-12 ft. tall in full sun to part shade and moist, rich soils. They form colonies easily from root suckers, sprawling along the edges of streambanks, woodlands, pondsides, and ditches. The compound leaves can reach up to 12 in. long, with 4-10 large, oval leaflets each.

Early summer brings large clusters of tiny, white, lemony flowers that contain no nectar. Elderberry pollen is a rich source of protein for several bees and other palynivores (creatures that eat pollen.) Purplish-black fruit forms in late summer that is toxic to humans if eaten uncooked, but a feast for birds and wildlife!

Elderberry shrubs are also the sole larval host to the Elderberry Longhorn beetle (Desmocerus palliatus): the female lays her eggs near the base of the shrub, then the hatchlings bore into the roots to feed. Adult beetles eat the leaves and pollen, repelling their predators with elderberry’s toxic chemicals.

08/24/2026

The NWA team took a day trip to . Cuba Center to explore their amazing native gardens! It was a wonderful outing, and if you're interested in native plants, we highly recommend checking it out! We came back with lots of inspiration for future gardens right here at our own office! 🌼

08/21/2026

Join Wicomico Clean for a cleanup in Hebron on August 29!

Please join us Saturday, August 29th, picking up litter in Hebron.

08/21/2026

What's that sensor? 👀
You may have noticed a new little device on our office in Seaford!

We're excited to be hosting an air-quality sensor through DNREC Division of Air Quality. The sensor measures particulate matter (PM) and helps provide more local air-quality data for our community.

Want to check the air quality near you? You can explore Delaware's air-quality monitoring network and current readings through DNREC: https://dnrec.delaware.gov/air/quality/monitoring/

08/20/2026

Nanticoke Creekwatchers Sampling Period 12 Reminder - https://mailchi.mp/nanticokeriver/sp122026reminder