Seasonal Programs

Hiking and Cross-country Skiing Programs

Round out your exercise routine with a healthy, enjoyable hike at several beautiful natural areas. Hike through old-growth forests, meadows of grass, and diverse, scenic and often private properties not open to the public. Sturdy walking or hiking shoes are a must, as is a flashlight or headlamp for evening hikes. Bring binoculars and walking sticks if you wish. Meet at the sites, directions will be provided or can be found on our website.

Cross-Country Skiing at Coverdale
Date and Time to be announced when there is snow
Member/Non-Member: $12/$18
Leader: David Toman
Location: Coverdale Farm Preserve, Way Road Entrance and/or Bucktoe Creek Preserve

Ski the beautiful Coverdale Farm Preserve and/or Bucktoe Creek Preserve for a great workout and some of the best scenery around. Beginners welcome. We will notify you when skiing will occur based on snowfall. Click link to be notified of skiing opportunities.

Evening Walks
Program #: W12-011-AS
Thursdays, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

March 8 - Coverdale Farm Preserve (Ashland Clinton Rd. Entrance) - Joe Sebastiani
March 15 - Bucktoe Creek Preserve - Joe Sebastiani
March 29 - Flint Woods Preserve - Derek Stoner
April 12 - Red Clay Reservation - David Pragoff

Member/Non-Member (Series): $40/$60
Member/Non-Member (Single session): $12/$18

Hike through exclusive access properties at a time of high wildlife activity and beautiful evening light.

Hoopes Reservoir Hike (3 miles)
Program #: W12-014-AS
Wednesday, March 21, 8 am - 12:30 pm
Member/Non-Member: $15/$22
Leader: Sally O'Byrne and Joe Sebastiani
Location: Ashland Nature Center. Van transportation provided

An exclusive opportunity to hike the eastern half of the scenic Hoopes Reservoir, closed to the public since the 1970's, during waterfowl migration. Note: Terrain can be steep in several places.

Flint Woods to Granogue Hike and Lunch (3 miles)
Program #: W12-015-FW
Friday, March 23, Noon - 3:30 pm
Member/Non-Member: $25/$37
Leaders: Joe Sebastiani and Michele Wales
Location: Flint Woods Preserve. Return transportation provided from Granogue

Hike to the famous water tower on the Granogue Estate for amazing views of the Brandywine Valley. Gourmet lunch provided. Note: this is a strenuous hike with hills.

Ashland to Bucktoe Creek Preserve Hike (6.5 miles)
Program #: W12-019-AS
Wednesday, April 18, 12:30 - 5 pm
Member/Non-Member: $15/$22
Leader: Joe Sebastiani
Location: Ashland Nature Center. Return transportation provided from Bucktoe Creek Preserve

Hike through private property and wildlife preserves from Ashland Nature Center to the Bucktoe Creek Preserve near Kennett Square. Note: this is a strenuous hike with hills and off-trail occasionally.

Ashland to Coverdale Farm Loop Hike (4 miles)
Program #: W12-022-AS
Wednesday, April 25, 9 am - 1 pm
Member/Non-Member: $15/$22
Leaders: Joe Sebastiani
Location: Coverdale Farm Preserve - Main Entrance on Way Road

Hike through splendid private properties around the Red Clay and Burrows Run Valleys. Note: Be aware that there is a "wet foot" stream crossing over Burrows Run.

Botany Programs

Explore various properties from winter into early spring to see and learn about our diverse local flora. Identify trees, shrubs, wildflowers, grasses, and other plants as you stroll meadows, wetlands, and forested areas. During winter, learn how to identify plants based on berries and seeds that remain, as well as buds, bark, and dried leaves. In early spring, don't miss the emergence of spring wildflowers!

  NEW PROGRAM!!  

Philadelphia International Flower Show Trip
Program#: W12-501-AS
Thursday, March 8, 2012, 7:30 a.m. - 3:00 pm
Member/Non-Member: $50/$75
Leader: John Harrod
Meeting Location: Ashland Nature Center

Explore the Flower Show an hour before it opens to the public for a VIP tour of "The Best of the Flower Show" with Harriet Wentz, owner of Eco Design and Management and member of the Philadelphia Horticultural Society Floor Crew for the Philadelphia Flower Show. Enjoy this year's theme, Hawaii...Islands of Aloha, as you see a giant wave of orchids and towering waterfalls. Afterwards, join John Harrod, DNS Manager of DEEC, and Former Longwood Fellow for more touring of the ten acres of Flower Show. Enjoy a lunch at the Reading Terminal Market. Van transportation, parking, leadership, and entrance fee are included.

Copeland Native Plant Series (remaining series through March 2012)
Program #: U11-011-AS
Lectures/Workshops:

January 12, 2012, 7 - 8:30 pm - Rare and Endangered Plants of Delaware, William McAvoy, Botanist, Delaware Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife. Location: Ashland Nature Center

March 8, 2012, 7 - 8:30 pm - Meadow Creation and Management Techniques, Tom Brightman, Land Steward, Longwood Gardens. Location: Ashland Nature Center Member/Non-Member: $15/$22 for individual events. Longwood Gardens has one of the biggest, most diverse native meadows in our area. Learn how the meadow is being managed, including challenges, management solutions, and the role fire plays in the creation of this stunning meadow. What is Longwood Gardens doing to expand this already incredible area, and how has this expansion ensued. Get ideas for small-scale native meadows or large-scale projects incorporating native wildflowers and grasses.

Location: Ashland Nature Center
Partners: Delaware Nature Society, Mt. Cuba Center, Bucktoe Creek Preserve, University of Delaware, Delaware Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program - Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife, and Longwood Gardens.

If you are a native plant enthusiast, gardener, professional landscaper, land manager, or restoration ecologist, this is a series you do not want to miss. Improve your plant identification skills, get ideas for home gardening projects, enrich your landscaping business offerings, and get ideas for incorporating native plants in your home landscape. This program series qualifies for Continuing Education Credit for the NJ, DE, and PA Nursery and Landscape Associations.

New Year's Plant Count
Program #: W12-001-AS
Sunday, January 8, 1 - 3 pm
Member/Non-Member: $10/$15
Leader: Janet Ebert
Location: Ashland Nature Center

See how many species of plants can be found on the property during the middle of winter!

Winter Identification of Trees and Shrubs
Program #: W12-007-BK
Sunday, March 4, 1 - 4 pm
Member/Non-Member: $12/$18
Leader: William Ryan
Location: Bucktoe Creek Preserve

Learn identification basics of trees and shrubs in winter by walking native plant communities and a private arboretum.

Spring Wildflower Walk and Brunch
Program #: W12-021-BK
Tuesday, April 24, 9 am - Noon
Member/Non-Member: $15/$19
Leaders: Janet Ebert and Joe Sebastiani
Location: Bucktoe Creek Preserve

Enjoy the explosion of spring ephemeral wildflowers in old growth woodlands, and have a tasty light brunch at the conclusion.

Susquehanna Wildflower Adventure
Program #: W12-025-AS
Monday, April 30, 9 am - 3 pm
Member/Non-Member: $25/$40
Leaders: Janet Ebert and Joe Sebastiani
Location: Ashland Nature Center. Van transportation provided.

Travel with botanist Janet Ebert to several wildflower locations along the Susquehanna River to identify many spring wildflower species including some very colorful and spectacular ones like trillium. Bring a lunch.

Birding Programs

Visit some of the most scenic locations in our area, nearby preserves, and private properties known as great birding spots to look for migrants and overwintering species. These walks are especially suited to the beginner, but all skill levels are welcome.

FREE! Sunday and Monday Morning Birding at the Bucktoe Creek Preserve
Sundays and Mondays, 8 am (walk lasts ~ 3 hours)
Non-Members: Special price new DNS family membership offer by attending walk
Leader: Bucktoe Creek Preserve Birding Team
Location: Bucktoe Creek Preserve

Walk around the Bucktoe Creek Preserve to enjoy the diverse birdlife of this private 300-acre nature preserve near Kennett Square, PA.

FREE! Thursday Morning Birding at Ashland
Thursdays, March through May
8 am
Leader: Joe Sebastiani and Derek Stoner
Location: Ashland Nature Center

Join us on a walk around the Ashland property for a look at the birds through the seasons.

Owls and Other Winter Raptors
Program #: W12-003-AS
Sunday, February 26, 8 am - 7 pm
Members/Non-Member: $30/$45
Leader: Jim White
Location: Ashland Nature Center. Van transportation provided.

Join Jim in search of a variety of raptor species. Look for Great Horned, Eastern Screech, Barn, Barred, Short-eared, and possibly Long-eared and Saw-whet Owls. Watch the skies for diurnal raptors like Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Northern Harrier, and American Bald Eagle and more.

Breakfast and the Great Backyard Bird Count
Program #: W12-004-AS
Friday, February 17, 8 - 11 am
Member/Non-Member: $15/$22
Leaders: Joe Sebastiani, Derek Stoner, and Jim White
Location: Ashland Nature Center

Identify and help count birds for the Great Backyard Bird Count, a nationwide citizen science project, and enjoy a big, delicious breakfast at Ashland Nature Center.

Photography Series: Waterfowl and Raptors
Program #: W12-006-AS
Sunday, March 11, 9 am - 5 pm
Member/Non-Member: $20/$35
Leader: Derek Stoner
Location: Ashland Nature Center. Van Transportation provided.

Learn how to photograph local waterfowl and raptors during their peak period of activity in early spring. Visit wildlife refuges loaded with wildlife and learn techniques like digi-scoping, flight photography, and panorama assist. Bring a lunch.

Spring Migration in March Program #: W12-008-AS
Tuesdays 8 - 11 am

March 6 - Coverdale Farm Preserve - Ashland Clinton Road Entrance
March 13 - Flint Woods
March 20 - Winterthur
March 27 - Mt. Cuba

Member/Non-Member (Series): $30/$45
Member/Non-Member (Single session): $12/$18
Leaders: Joe Sebastiani and Bill Stewart
Location: Walks meet at the locations listed above. Directions will be provided.

Walk some of the most scenic, bird-filled locations in northern Delaware for the start of migration.

Chester County Waterfowl and Country Tour
Program #: W12-009-AS
Wednesday, March 7, 9 am - 3:30 pm
Member/Non-Member: $20/$30
Leader: Joe Sebastiani
Location: Ashland Nature Center. Van transportation provided.

Tour Chester County's best waterfowl locations including several lakes, a fish farm, and a water treatment plant during the height of duck migration. Bring binoculars and a lunch.

Woodcock Walks at Bucktoe Creek
Program #: W12-010-BK
Five Walks between Wednesday March 7 and Monday March 26, 5:30 - 8 pm
Member/Non-Member: $10/$15
Leader: Larry Lewis
Location: Bucktoe Creek Preserve

Be placed on the list to attend five Woodcock evening walks to witness the aerial courtship displays of this strange shorebird. You will be notified when the walks are going to take place based on the weather and location of the displaying Woodcocks.

John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge Birding and Green Building Tour
Wednesday, March 14, 8:30 am to 1:30 pm for Ashland, 9 am to 1pm for DEEC
Member/Non-Member: $15/$22
Leader: Sally O'Byrne
Location: Ashland Nature Center or DuPont Environmental Education Center

Explore this natural gem minutes from the Philadelphia airport with vast impoundments holding migrating waterfowl and a 'green' visitor center. Bring a lunch. Van Transportation provided.

Breakfast and Birding at Coverdale Farm
Program #: W12-109-CF
Friday, March 16, 8 - 11 am
Member/Non-Member: $15/$22
Leaders: Joe Sebastiani and Michele Wales
Location: Coverdale Farm Preserve - Main Entrance on Way Road

Enjoy a nutritious and delicious breakfast prepared by Farm Program Coordinator Michele Wales, and a late winter bird walk around Coverdale Farm Preserve.

Urban Birding in April
Program #: W12-016-AS
Tuesdays, 8 - 11 am

April 3 - Russell W. Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge
April 10 - Alapocas Woods
April 17 - Banning Park
April 24 - 7th Street Peninsula

Member/Non-Member (Series): $30/$45
Member/Non-Member (Single session): $12/$18
Leader: Sally O'Byrne
Location: Various locations. Directions will be provided.

As an urban explorer, bird some of the under-appreciated 'natural' areas of Northern Delaware from Wilmington's urban marshes to its deciduous parklands. Wear long pants and shoes that can get wet.

NEW PROGRAM! Daffodil Day Dig and Birdwalk
Program #: W12-502-AS
Saturday, April 7, 9 am - Noon
Member/Non-Member: $15/$25
Leader: Larry Lewis
Location: Bucktoe Creek Preserve

Walk the Bucktoe Creek Preserve to search for early returning songbird migrants and other birds that are still here from the winter. Will we see the first Chipping Sparrow of the year? Will the Tree Swallows be claiming nest boxes? Enjoy early blooming wildflowers and the trilling of Spring Peepers and possibly Wood Frogs and American Toads. At the end of the program, visit a huge area of daffodils and dig as many as you would like to take home for your garden.

Delaware Birding Trail Series
Program #: W12-020-AS
Thursday, April 19, 7:30 am - 5 pm (first in the series)
Member/Non-Member: $20/$30
Leader: Bill Stewart
Location: Ashland Nature Center. Van Transportation provided.

Explore Delaware's Birding Trail sites in this program series. Visit Woodland Beach, Bombay Hook, Little Creek, and Ted Harvey Conservation Areas in Kent County for lingering waterfowl, returning wading birds, shorebirds, songbirds and raptors. Bring lunch, water, and binoculars. Scope provided. Receive a free birding trail map/brochure.

Birds of Belleplain
Program #: W12-024-AS
Sunday, April 29, 7 am - 4 pm
Member/Non-Member: $20/$35
Leader: Derek Stoner
Location: Ashland Nature Center. Van transportation provided.

The vast Belleplain State Forest in southern New Jersey is home to many unique species of breeding birds like Yellow-throated Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, Hooded Warbler, and Summer Tanager. Search for newly-arrived neo-tropical migrants.

Astronomy Programs

Join us under the stars for some seasonal astronomy. The night sky should provide a perfect background for telescopic and naked-eye views of planets, constellations, nebulae, space aliens, and the Mother Ship. Telescope, binoculars, a green laser pointer, and some serious expertise will be provided.

Cool Configurations in a Nifty Sky
Program #: W12-005-AS
Friday, February 24, 7 - 9 pm
Member/Non-Member: $10/$15
Leader: Sheila Vincent
Location: Ashland Nature Center

Jupiter, Venus and a thin crescent moon will be clustered together low in the west with Mars rising in the east and the sparkling winter constellations above and beyond.

Planet Feast at Bucktoe Creek
Program #: W12-013-BK
Friday, March 16, 7:30 - 9:30 pm
Member/Non-Member: $10/$15
Leaders: Sheila Vincent
Location: Bucktoe Creek Preserve

Feast your eyes on Jupiter, Venus, and Mars, all of the great winter constellations, the Orion Nebula, Pleiades, and lots of deep sky wonders for dessert.

Two Bright Planets in an Early Spring Sky
Program #: W12-111-CF
Friday, April 20, 7:30 - 9:30 pm
Member/Non-Member: $10/$15
Leader: Sheila Vincent
Location: Coverdale Farm Preserve - Main Entrance on Way Road

Saturn and Venus will be up and blazing! The Orion Nebula will be visible along with the constellation Cancer, Taurus, Gemini. Be sure not to miss the Beehive star cluster. The spring sky will be visible with Leo overhead and the brilliant star Arcturus high in the east.

Kayaking / Canoeing Programs

Take a tour of woodlands and marsh by water with a kayak or canoe. Look for swallows, herons, egrets, and Red-winged Blackbirds defending their territories. Search for other wildlife such as beaver, muskrat, and river otter. No kayaking or canoeing experience needed. Bring a hat and sunscreen. Fee includes van transportation from Ashland Nature Center.

Canoeing the Christina River
Program #: W12-206-DC
Friday, April 27, 12 - 4 pm
Member/Non-Member: $30/$45
Leader: Jim White
Location: DuPont Environmental Education Center
Paddle the Christina River into the Russell W. Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge looking for wildlife such as birds of prey, waterfowl, and aquatic mammals and then travel further downstream seeing the Riverfront from a new perspective.

Kayaking Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge
Program #: W12-023-AS
Saturday, April 28, 7:45 am - 6 pm
Member/Non-Member: $40/$55
Leader: David Toman and Jason Beale
Location: Ashland Nature Center
Note: Joint program with Abbott's Mill Nature Center. Bring a bag lunch and water.

Ply the waters of this wildlife refuge that teems with herons, egrets, eagles, osprey, and mammals such as muskrat, beaver, and otter. Explore areas that are only accessible by water in one of Delaware's greatest natural secrets.

Cooking

Winter Soups and Stews
Program #: W12-105-CF
Saturday, January 21, 10 am - 2 pm
Member/Non-Member: $40/$50
Leader: Michele Wales
Location: Coverdale Farm Preserve - Main Entrance on Way Road

Tis' the season for nourishing and warming one-pot meals. Working with the finest seasonal ingredients and organic items from Coverdale, stir up delicious dishes made for winter. Gather around the table to enjoy your creations paired with hearty bread and a crunchy salad. Recipes included.

Dinner for Two
Program #: W12-106-CF
Sunday, February 12, Noon - 3 pm
Member/Non-Member: $50/$60
Leaders: Dan O'Brien and Allison Mielke
Location: Coverdale Farm Preserve - Main Entrance on Way Road

Nothing says "I Love You" like food! Join this married chef team and make a romantic 3-course meal for two. From savory to sweet this beautiful, organic meal will be a seasonal treat. Come as a couple or come alone and re-create the meal at home. Recipes included.

Pysanky: "Magic Eggs"
Program #: W12-107-CF
Saturday, February 25, 2 - 5 pm; Sunday, February 26, 2 - 5 pm
Member/Non-Member: $55/$65
Leader: Jennifer Domal, Regional Artist
Location: Coverdale Farm Preserve - Main Entrance on Way Road

Pysanky is the millennia old Ukrainian tradition of decorating eggs. These beautiful "wax resist and dyed" eggs were believed to herald the spring season offering fertility and new growth of animals and crops. Create your own pysanky using Coverdale Farm eggs with shells in natural shades of brown, cream, white, and green. Bring a dozen, room temperature eggs; all other materials are included (including farm eggs). Old clothing is recommended.

Breakfast Breads
Program #: W12-108-CF
Saturday, March 10, 10 am - 2 pm
Member/Non-Member: $40/$50
Leader: Jane Griffin
Location: Coverdale Farm Preserve - Main Entrance on Way Road

Bagels and biscuits and butter, oh my! Add English muffins, scones and sweet rolls and you have an amazing catalog of morning fare. This hands-on class will teach you the tricks and give you the tips to making the best breads both yeasted and quick.
r A Culinary "Eggstravaganza"
Program #: W12-110-CF
Saturday, April 21, 10 am - 2 pm
Member/Non-Member: $40/$50
Leader: Jane Griffin
Location: Coverdale Farm Preserve - Main Entrance on Way Road

Spring is here and our hens are starting to lay more and more eggs. Collect these protein-packed organic delights from the chicken house and return to the Coverdale kitchen to transform them into a variety of dishes. Recipes included.

Specialty Programs

Backyard Beekeeping for Beginners
Program #: W12-100-CF

Saturday, January 7, Noon - 2 pm, lecture I
Saturday, February 4, Noon - 2 pm, lecture II
Saturday, March 17, Noon - 2 pm, lecture III
Saturday, April 14, Noon - 2 pm, field inspection I

Member/Non-Member (Single session): $20/$30
Member/Non-Member (winter series): $130/$160 materials included
Leaders: Dr. Don Coats & Michele Wales
Location: Coverdale Farm Preserve - Main Entrance on Way Road

Guillermo Fernandez, The Honeybee Conservancy correctly states: "Local beekeeping is the vibrant point where environmentalism, gardening and the local food movement intersect."

Join this new eco-movement through a multi-session, hands-on workshop that provides you with the tools and skills to successfully raise these fascinating insects while producing nutrient dense honey in your own backyard. Work with us through 3-seasons of bee husbandry beginning with the winter course which includes 3 lectures and 1 field inspection. Then look in our next brochure for the spring/summer course which includes 5 field inspections and a honey extraction workshop. We'll complete our 3-season workshop in the fall with 3 field inspections and 1 lecture Attend the individual sessions (materials not included) or sign up for the Winter series and the following materials will be included in the program cost: a folding hatless veil, a hive tool, a copy of Kim Flottum's "The Backyard Beekeeper."

Dragons and Damsels of Delmarva
Program #: W12-201-DC
Wednesday, January 11, 6 - 7:30 pm
Member/Non-Member: $10/$15
Location: DuPont Environmental Education Center
Leader: Hal White, University of Delaware Professor and author Natural History of Delmarva Dragonflies and Damselflies.

Join Hal White, lifelong odonate enthusiast and expert, as he skillfully and entertainingly shares the unique and interesting natural history of Delmarva's Dragonflies and Damselflies. Lecture followed by a book signing.

Going Green on a Dime
Program #: W12-202-DC
Tuesday, February 7, 6 - 7:30 pm
Member/Non-Member: $10/$15
Location: DuPont Environmental Education Center
Leader: Brenna Goggin

Spring cleaning does not have to be expensive or hazardous to your health! From window cleaner to unclogging pipes, cheap and environmentally safe methods to put that sparkle back into your house abound. Join us to slim down your footprint while expanding your wallet.

Advanced Naturalist Club (For Graduates of the Naturalist Certification Series)
Program #: W12-002-AS
Dates: February 9, 7 - 9 pm, April 12, 7 - 9 pm, June 9, 7:30 - 11:30 am, August 5, 11 am - 2 pm
Member/Non-Member (series): $40/$55
Leaders: Derek Stoner, Joe Sebastiani & Sheila Vincent
Location: Ashland Nature Center

Remember how much fun the Naturalist Certification Series field trips were? Join your fellow Naturalists to continue the learning and enjoyment of nature once per season. The first meeting will be a presentation highlighting the upcoming arrival of the Piedmont spring and citizen science opportunities by Derek Stoner . In April, enjoy a spring birding preview through Derek's photography. In June, do some citizen science for the Delaware Breeding Bird Atlas and go on a butterfly expedition at Bucktoe Creek Preserve in August.

Build Your Own Rain Barrel
Program #: W12-204-DC
Thursday, March 15, 6 - 8:30 pm
Member/Non-Member: $30/$45
Leader: John Harrod and Greg Gagliano
Location: DuPont Environmental Education Center

Convert a trashcan into a rain barrel much cheaper than buying a pre-made one. Bring your favorite plastic trashcan. All necessary parts provided.

Tracking Time
Program #: W12-205-DC
Sunday, March 18, 3 -5 pm
Member/Non-Member: $10/$15
Leader: Derek Stoner
Location: DuPont Environmental Education Center

Springtime is prime time to observe tracks made by mammals and birds. Explore the Marsh and field around DEEC as we learn to identify tracks made by deer, raccoons, possums, and more. Participants will receive a tracking guide and informational packet to advance their tracking skills.

Naturalist Certification Series
A training course for the public, DNS Teacher Naturalists, and School Teachers
Program #: W12-026-AS
March 2012 - September 2012
Member/Non-Member: $200/$250 (Tuition reimbursement for DNS employees and school teachers. Ask us about it!)
Location: Ashland Nature Center
Leaders: Joe Sebastiani, Derek Stoner, Kristen Travers, John Harrod, Lesley Bensinger and Jim White
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 successfully in order to become certified. Receive a certificate and patch upon completion of the course. School teachers can receive 60 hours of inservice credit. See the website for more details.

Aquatic Ecosystems: Study pond and stream life by learning the variety of macro-invertebrates that reside in our local waterways. Learn to identify aquatic insect larvae, crustaceans, worms, mollusks, and fish. Conduct a study on a local stream and pond to compare these living systems.

Terrestrial Ecosystems: Study piedmont forest types and a meadow to learn about plant and animal relationships in each. Focus on plant succession from meadow to old growth forest and how wildlife changes at succession proceeds.

Mammals: Learn the types of mammals that exist in the Piedmont of Delaware. Study each mammal's features and natural history so you will be able to tell a short-tailed shrew from a meadow vole from a white-footed deermouse. Birds: Learn the identification and natural history of 40 species of birds in the Delaware Piedmont. Discuss the basics of the major families of birds that reside here at different times of the year.

Reptiles and Amphibians: Experience the snakes, turtles, salamanders, and frogs that call Delaware home. Become familiar with the life cycles, identification, and habitat preferences of the "herps", through a lecture and a field trip.

Trees and Shrubs: Learn the basics of identifying the trees and shrubs of northern Delaware. Become confident identifying the oaks, hickories, maples, viburnums, and many others. Study the leaf, bark, fruit, and flowering characteristics of the major groups and individual species and learn the relationships between these woody plants and the insects and animals that feed on them.

Wildflowers: Wildflowers are an enjoyable way to study local biodiversity. Study the main groups of flowers that bloom in the forest, and visit a local wildflower hotspot for identification and practice with different field guides. Insects and other invertebrates: Become familiar with the common orders of insects in our area and focus on butterflies that you can view through binoculars as well as insects that you can catch in a net.

Wilmington's Drinking Water Tour
Program #: W12-018-AS
Wednesday, April 11, 9 am - 2 pm
Member/Non-Member: $17/$25
Leader: Sally O'Byrne
Location: Ashland Nature Center

Follow the water as it flows from the Brandywine mill race to your kitchen faucet. Learn how drinking water is cleaned and stored as we visit the Porter filtration plant. Take part in a water tasting and walk to the top of Hoopes Reservoir dam. Bring a lunch and wear good walking shoes. Water provided. Van transportation provided.

Wild Food Dinner at the Backburner Restaurant
Featuring Lee Allen Peterson, author of the Peterson Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants of Eastern/Central North America
Program #: W12-027-AS
Tuesday, May 8
Walk Only - Member/Non-Member: $15/$20
Walk 1: 10 am - Noon, Walk 2: 2 - 4 pm, 6:30 Dinner Only - Member/Non-Member: $65/$75
Leaders: Lee Peterson, Joe Sebastiani, and the Backburner kitchen staff
Note: Program is moderately strenuous
Go on a foraging walk for wild edible plants with Lee Peterson. Learn the techniques and timing of harvesting wild foods. After the walk, enjoy a wild foods dinner at the Backburner Restaurant prepared by Chef Kristin McGuigan. Species of local wild plants and recipes featuring Coverdale Farm chicken eggs will be served. Signed copies of the field guide will be available for purchase, and during dinner, enjoy a short talk about the featured plants and collecting from Mr. Peterson. Wine provided by Paradocx Vineyard.

Spring Wildflowers of the Brandywine
Program #: U12-201-DC
Thursday, May 10, 9 - 11 am
Member/Non-Member: $10/$15
Leader: John Harrod

Explore, identify, and learn the beautiful spring ephemeral wildflowers of Brandywine Park in Wilmington. Meets at the park entrance on the corner of Lovering and Hancock.

Sunset Yoga

Program #: W12-101-CF Tuesday, January 10, 17, 24, 31 6:40 pm - 8:00 pm
Program #: W12-102-CF Tuesday, February 7, 14, 21, 28 6:40 pm - 8:00 pm
Program #: W12-103-CF Tuesday, March 6, 13, 20, 27 6:40 pm - 8:00 pm
Program #: W12-104-CF Tuesday, April 10, 17, 24 6:40 pm - 8:00 pm

Member/Non-Member: January: $36/$44; February: $36/$44; March: $36/44; April: $27/$33
Leader: Stephanie Pascavage
Location: Coverdale Farm Preserve - Main Entrance on Way Road

Harmonize your mind-body-nature connection in the open air through traditional Hatha and Vinyasa Yoga. All levels welcome. Bring a Yoga mat and dress for easy movement. Sign up monthly or for the 4 month block. Classes are indoors during cold months.

Children must be accompanied by an adult with no additional fee required. Snacks included. Two instructors will be present for each program. Member/Non-Member: $8/$14 unless otherwise noted.

Gingerbread Man
Program #: W12-130-AS
Wednesday, January 18, 10 - 11:30 am
Member/Non-Member: $9/$15
Leaders: Jan Vincins & Bethanie Delfunt
Location: Coverdale Farm Preserve - Main Entrance on Way Road

Run, run as fast as you can! Discover how the farmer, his wife and farm animals of all shape and sizes try to catch the Gingerbread Man. Bring this fairy tale to life through hands on farm exploration, art, and cooking. We'll make and bake our very own gingerbread men to catch and eat!

Into the Woods With Little Owl
Program #: W12-030-AS
Thursday, January 26, 9:30 - 10:30 am
Leaders: Judy Montgomery and Helen Fischel
Location: Ashland Nature Center

Whooo's ready to hike into the pine woods to look and listen? Learn about Great Horned Owls and Screech Owls that live at Ashland. Sit in an owl "nest" and see how many hidden mice YOU can find!

Farmer's Valentine
Program #: W12-131-CF
Tuesday, February 14, 9:30 - 10:30 am
Leaders: Bea Kaplan & Barbara Reader
Location: Coverdale Farm Preserve - Main Entrance on Way Road

Celebrate Valentine's Day the Coverdale Farm way. Deliver love to the pigs by giving them warm straw to sleep in; bring joy to the sheep and chickens by feeding them delicious grain; show love to cows by feeding them crunchy hay. Warm your heart with a yummy snack and make a farm valentines craft to take home to the ones you love.

Green Eggs and Ham
Program #: W12-132-CF
Friday, March 2, 10 - 11:30 am
Member/Non-Member: $9/$15
Leaders: Jan Vincins & Bethanie Delfunt
Location: Coverdale Farm Preserve - Main Entrance on Way Road

Green eggs and ham! Green eggs and ham! Where on earth can you find green eggs and ham? Why Coverdale Farm, dear Sam I am! Travel the farm here, travel the farm there looking for green eggs and ham everywhere! Discover the chickens with eggs that are green and find out the places where pigs can be seen. Listen to Seuss stories on this his birthday, create cool Seuss crafts, and celebrate....Hooray!

Come to Your Senses!
Program #: W12-031-AS
Friday, March 16, 9:30 - 10:30 am
Leaders: Austin Conley and Mary Trainor
Location: Ashland Nature Center

Test your sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell with different activities outside on the trails that highlight each one and then use all five senses on a delicious reward.

Maple Magic
Program #: W12-032-AS
Thursday, March 22, 9:30 - 10:30 am
Leaders: Helen Fischel and Phylicia Schwartz
Location: Ashland Nature Center

The sap is flowing so let's go tap a tree! Visit maple trees to collect sap and make some maple syrup to taste. Create a maple craft to take home.

Meet the Mallards
Program #: W12-033-AS
Wednesday, April 4, 9:30 - 10:30 am
Leader: Derek Stoner and Kelly Schaeffer
Location: Ashland Nature Center

Get up close with the Mallard Ducks at Ashland, and watch them swim, splash, eat, drink, and fly! Create a duck-y craft and have your photo taken with these special ducks.

The Icky Sticky Frog
Program #: W12-230-DC
Thursday, April 5, 9:30 - 10:30 am
Leader: Lesley Bensinger
Location: DuPont Environmental Education Center

Discover amphibians in this frog themed adventure! Read The Icky Sticky Frog and search for his relatives in DEEC's pond. After a marsh walk hop inside and make a froggy craft.

Nifty Nests
Program #: W12-133-CF
Thursday, April 12, 9:30 - 10:30 am
Leaders: Bea Kaplan & Barbara Reader
Location: Coverdale Farm Preserve - Main Entrance on Way Road

Spring is the season for building nests and nature's builders know what works best. Hike around the farm to find robins, bluebirds, tree swallows, and chickens and their homes. Sticks, feathers, hay, straw and mud are some of the materials used by our feathered friends, what will you use to craft your own nest?

Say Hello to Spring
Program #: W12-034-AS
Thursday, April 19, 9:30 - 10:30 am
Leaders: Derek Stoner and Helen Fischel
Location: Ashland Nature Center

Blooming wildflowers, wiggling tadpoles, chirping birds, and buzzing bees - Spring is bursting forth with activity! Join us for a Scavenger hunt to discover the wonderful animals and plants that make Spring so special.

Turtles, Snakes, Lizards, and Frogs
Program #: W12-035-AS
Thursday, April 26, 9:30 - 10:30 am
Leaders: Mary Trainor and Kelly Schaeffer
Location: Ashland Nature Center

Meet our live animals with scales! Watch them walk and slither, see them eat, discover the shell of a turtle and the skin of a snake. Take a short walk to look for wild reptiles!

Teen Naturalists: Adventure - Nature Study - Volunteering for the Environment
Ages 13-17
Program #: W12-073-AS
January - August 2012
Members Only: $75 (occasional overnights / weeklong summer trip not included)
Location: Ashland Nature Center
Leaders: Joe Sebastiani, Dave Pro, Phylicia Schwartz and Tom Chandler

Do you enjoy hiking, canoeing, wildlife, nature, or just being outdoors? Meet monthly for outdoor activities, volunteering at Nature Society events, and embark on a weeklong trip each summer. Contact us for a schedule.

Young Naturalists Club Ages 9-12
Program #: W12-070-AS
Dates: Monthly, Jan 29, Feb 26, March 25, April 29, and May 20
Members Only: $60
Leader: Kristen Sensabaugh
Location: Ashland Nature Center


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.

Wizards and Lizards Overnight Ages 9-12
Program #: W12-071-AS
Sunday, February 19, 3 pm - Monday, February 20, 5 pm
Member/Non-Member: $65/$95
Leader: Judy Montgomery
Location: Ashland Nature Center

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.

Survival Skills Overnight at Ashland Ages 9-12
Program #: W112-072-AS
Saturday, April 21, 3 pm - Sunday, April 22, 3 pm
Member/Non-Member: $30/$45
Leader: Kathy Szczerba
Location: Ashland Nature Center

Do you have what it takes to survive out in the wild? Come learn some important basic skills. Try your hand at fire building and cooking outdoors. Learn how to safely use a pocket knife. Do you have what it takes to survive the elements? Join us for an overnight in the lodge and then spend the next day building a shelter and then find out how well it stands up against our mock weather scenario. Wander the trails of Ashland learning about few wild edible plants and how to track animals. Explorers should arrive at Ashland Lodge at 3:00 pm on Saturday with a side dish to share for dinner.

Winter Hike and Lunch
Program #: W12-160-CF
Sunday, January 15, 11 am - 1 pm
Member/Non-Member: $9/$15
Leader: Mary Ann Levan
Location: Coverdale Farm Preserve - Main Entrance on Way Road

Take a hearty hike through the 352-acre winter landscape discovering the beauty of this sparse season. Return to the Coverdale Farm kitchen and craft a seasonal soup guaranteed to warm you up! Pair your soup with a delicious salad, bread, and dessert to make it a wonderful winter meal.

Snow Science
Program #: W12-261-DC
Saturday, January 21, 10:30 am - Noon
Member/Non-Member: $7/$12
Leader: Lesley Bensinger
Location: DuPont Environmental Education Center

Examine snowflakes under a microscope, learn how animals survive Wilmington's winter and make your own ice cream.

DEEC Mammal Detectives
Program #: W12-262-DC
Saturday, February 4, 10:30 am - Noon
Member/Non-Member: $7/$12
Leader: Lesley Bensinger
Location: DuPont Environmental Education Center

Are mammals active in the marsh during winter? Discover what the red fox, raccoon, and beaver do for the long winter and look for clues they leave behind. Learn what all mammals have in common. Touch animal furs, play a mammal game, look for tracks and more!

Owl Moon
Program #: W12-060-AS
Saturday, February 11, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Member/Non-Member: $7/$12
Leader: Sue Bara
Location: Ashland Nature Center

Who can swoop down and grab small running animals when it is pitch dark outside? Visit Ashland in the evening to find out which owls are spreading their silent wings over the winter landscape.

DEEC Family Naturalist Series
Saturdays, 10 am - Noon

Program #: W12-263-DC February 18, Winter Photography
Program #: W12-264-DC March 17, Duck Migration Madness
Program #: W12-265-DC April 28, Amphibian Exploration

Member/Non-Member (Single Session): $8/$14
Member/Non-Member (Series): $20/$35
Leader: Lesley Bensinger
Location: DuPont Environmental Education Center

Calling all nature enthusiasts! Explore the marsh as a family focusing on a new topic each month. Photograph wintry marsh scenes, look for many kinds of migratory ducks, and hunt for southern leopard frogs in spring. Sign up for one program or the whole series.

Cooking for the Birds
Program #: W12-161-CF
Sunday, February 19, 1 - 4 pm
Member/Non-Member: $12/$18 (supplies included)
Leader: Ellen Bacino
Location: Coverdale Farm Preserve - Main Entrance on Way Road

Hike around the farm to discover our wild and domestic feathered friends of winter. Learn what they eat during the chilly months of the year then make tempting snacks just for the birds. Working with suet, seeds and dried fruits you'll leave with all the tools you need to be a winter backyard birder. All materials and supplies are included. Please come dressed to be outdoors for a portion of the program and wear comfortable walking shoes.

Animal Defenses and Trickery
Program #: W12-061-AS
Saturday, February 25, 2 - 4 pm
Member/Non-Member: $7/$12
Leader: Austin Conley and Mary Trainor
Location: Ashland Nature Center

Meet live animals with ingenious defenses. Explore amazing animal adaptations for defense like unbreakable armor and even shooting blood out of the eyes! Take a hike and see how animals use mimicry and other defenses.

Movie Monsters...Live at Ashland!
Program #: W12-062-AS
Saturday, March 3, 6:30 - 8 pm
Member/Non-Member: $10/$15
Leader: Austin Conley
Location: Ashland Nature Center

Meet the greatest creatures of the silver screen and meet their real-life counterparts. Learn the difference between real and fictitious animals and take part in creating your own movie poster! Popcorn included.

Worms in your Kitchen?!
Program #: W12-162-CF
Sunday, March 11, 1 - 3 pm
Member/Non-Member: 1st adult registration - $35/$55
Member/Non-Member: Each additional registrant - $5/$8
Leaders: Jane & Robert Griffin
Location: Coverdale Farm Preserve - Main Entrance on Way Road

Become a vermicomposter and turn your kitchen scraps into vitamins for the garden soil. Build your own small bin, learn how to care for these compost creating creatures, and how to harvest their "garden gold." Cost includes bin, worms, and all materials.

Flint Woods Hike and Hot Dog Roast
Program #: W12-063-FW
Saturday, March 24, 5:30 - 8 pm
Member/Non-Member: $10/$15
Leader: Sue Bara
Location: Flint Woods Preserve

Enjoy a hike through a forest of huge trees listening for emerging Chipmunks, barking foxes, and hooting owls! Near sunset, start a fire in an outdoor fireplace and roast hot dogs to finish out the day with some hot chocolate.

Bird Box Building for Families
Program #: W12-064-AS
Sunday, April 1, 2 - 4 pm
Member/Non-Member: $10/$20
Leader: Gordon Fisher
Location: Ashland Nature Center

Invite house wrens and chickadees to your yard and help reduce insect populations and enjoy watching the parents busily feed hungry babies. Craft your own bird house using simple hand tools. Cost includes materials for one box per registrant.

Busy Beavers
Program #: W12-267-DC
Saturday, April 7, 1 -3 pm
Member/Non-Member: $7/$12
Leader: Nancy Carol Willis
Location: DuPont Environmental Education Center

Learn about the habits of beavers and hike to a beaver lodge. Discover how these "engineers" construct their lodge and protect their young. Finish the day with a beaver craft.

Spring Break: Nature Day Camp at the Riverfront Ages: 6-12
Program #: W12-268-DC
Monday, April 9 - Friday, April 13, 8 am - 5 pm
Member/Non-Member: day: $55/$70, full week: $250/$325

Monday: Reptiles and Amphibians     Leader: Laurie Curl
Tuesday: Aquatic Ecology     Leader: Nancy Carol Willis
Wednesday: Mammals     Leader: Nancy Carol Willis
Thursday: Geocaching and Letterboxing     Leader: Lesley Bensinger
Friday: DEEC Photography     Leader: Bethanie Delfunt

Location: DuPont Environmental Education Center

Spend all or part of your spring break exploring a freshwater tidal marsh and Wilmington's Riverfront! Each day will be filled with nature discovery, crafts, and games.

Spring Break: Herp Hunters Day Camp (Children Only (recommended for 6-8 year olds)
Program #: W12-065-AS
Wednesday, April 11, 8:30 am - 3 pm
Member/Non-Member: $35/$45
Leader: Kelly Schaeffer
Location: Ashland Nature Center

Head out to Ashland's marsh for a wetland exploration and locate different life stages of frogs and toads. Keep your eye out for newts, turtles, and other water creatures as we explore their habitat. Meet amphibians and reptiles from Ashland's collection.

Mining and Minerals
Program #: W12-066-AS
Sunday, April 22, 2 - 4:30 pm
Member/Non-Member: $10/$15
Leader: Sue Bara
Location: Ashland Nature Center

Dig for mineral treasures like mica, quartz, and garnet at a unique feldspar quarry near the Brandywine River. Learn why these minerals are here and how they were mined. Bring your rock hammer or borrow ours. Transportation provided.

Ashland Detectives
Program #: W12-067-AS
Sunday, April 15, 10 am - Noon
Member/Non-Member: $7/$12
Leader: Kristen Sensabaugh
Location: Ashland Nature Center

Hike around the Ashland Nature Center looking for signs of animals and help a naturalist find out how and why they got there. After hiking, play a game to test your nature detective skills!

Streamside Fun for the Family
Program #: W12-068-AS
Saturday, April 28, 10 am - Noon
Member/Non-Member: $7/$12
Leader: Kristen Sensabaugh
Location: Ashland Nature Center

Have you ever wondered how healthy Ashland streams are? Learn how to test the health of a local stream and catch and learn about the creatures that live in this important and amazing ecosystem!

Family Farm Chores
Program #: W12-163-CF
Saturday, April 28, 3:30 - 5:30 pm
Member/Non-Member: $6/$8
Leader: Ashley Harrell
Location: Coverdale Farm Preserve - Main Entrance on Way Road

Put on your boots, roll up your sleeves and head out to Coverdale Farm to help with the daily afternoon farm chores. Help milk the dairy cow, feed calves, pigs, chickens, chicks, and sheep, bed pens, and wash milking equipment.

Family Marsh Trek
Program #: Program #: U12-261-DC
Saturday, May 5, 10:00 - 11:30 am
Member/Non-Member: $7/$12
Leader: Lesley Bensinger
Location: DEEC

Lace up your sneakers for an hour long hike into the rarely traversed North Marsh.

FREE! Children's Bird Walk at Bucktoe No registration required
Last Saturday of each month, 9 - 10:30 am
Leader: Holly Merker
Location: Bucktoe Creek Preserve

Take a short bird walk to find birds of all shapes and sizes and learn how to tell one kind from another. A snack will be available after the walk.

Parents Night Out (Ages 5 and up)
Fridays, 6:30-8:30 pm

Program #: W12-280-DC     January 13, Let it Snow
Program #: W12-281-DC     February 10, Nocturnal Animals
Program #: W12-282-DC     March 9, Star Gazers
(*Parents invited to register and participate, telescope and binoculars provided)
Program #: W12-283-DC     April 13, Spring has Sprung

Member/Non-Member: $15/20
Leader: Laurie Curl, Sheila Vincent (DNS astronomer), Lesley Bensinger
Location: DuPont Environmental Education Center

Set mom and dad loose to have dinner along Wilmington's Riverfront while you stay at the DEEC and have all the fun with games, a scavenger hunt and an evening hike. Dinner provided. Parents receive a coupon for Timothy's Riverfront Grill.

Night at the Nature Center
Program #: W12-080-AS
Friday, February 10, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Member/Non-Member: $12/$18
Leader: Austin Conley and Judy Montgomery
Location: Ashland Nature Center

Come to a one-night-only exhibit of creatures from the Ashland Nature Center vault! Bring your flashlights and see (find!) live animals, taxidermy with big teeth, heads without bodies, claws that have killed, and animals bigger than you.

Maple Sugaring and Pancake Breakfas

Program #: W12-081-AS Saturday, February 11, 10 am - Noon
Program #: W12-082-AS Sunday, February 12, 10 am - Noon

Member/Non-Member: $7/$12
Leaders: Phylicia Schwartz & Ingrid Jackoway (Saturday), Kelly Schaeffer & Phylicia Schwartz (Sunday)
Location: Ashland Nature Center

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.

Farm Breakfast for Dinner
Program #: W12-180-CF
Saturday, February 11, 3:30 - 6:30pm
Member/Non-Member: $9/$15
Leaders: Bea Kaplan
Location: Coverdale Farm Preserve - Main Entrance on Way Road

Explore the farm to discover where eggs, bacon, sausage, milk, butter, yogurt, corn muffins and other delicious breakfast fare comes from. Return to the Coverdale kitchen and make your very own breakfast...for dinner!

Live Animal Night for Families
Program #: W12-083-AS
Saturday, February 25, 7 - 9 pm
Member/Non-Member: $9/$15
Leader: Derek Stoner and Mary Trainor
Location: Ashland Nature Center

Enjoy an exciting live animal presentation and get your photo taken with the animal of your choice. See snakes, lizards, turtles, a big roach, and a Tarantula.

Extravagant Eco-Easter Eggs
Program #: W12-181-CF
Saturday, March 31, 1- 4 pm
Member/Non-Member:$12 /$18
Leaders: Bethanie Delfunt
Location: Coverdale Farm Preserve - Main Entrance on Way Road

Enjoy an "Eco-Easter" using natural dyes to decorate Easter eggs. Make dyes and color eggs using spinach, beets, onion skins, red cabbage, and other vibrant edibles. Visit with our resident hens to see what color eggs they lay and craft a basket to fill with your egg creations.

Welcome Back Osprey
Program #: W12-284-DC
Saturday, March 31, 1 - 2:30 pm
Members/Non-Members: $7/$12
Leader: Lesley Bensinger
Location: DuPont Environmental Education Center

Celebrate spring migration and the return of the DEEC osprey. View the spring migrant through binoculars, play an osprey game and read an osprey story.

C&D Canal Fossiling
Program #: W12-084-AS
Saturday, April 14, 1 - 4 pm
Member/Non-Member: $9/$15
Leader: Sheila Vincent
Location: Ashland Nature Center

Take home part of Delaware's distant past as we explore an ancient sea bed that is now the C&D Canal near St. Georges, DE. Rich in Cretaceous marine fossils, this area has belemnites (Delaware's State Fossil), clam shells, and other treasures to be found. Dress in comfortable clothing and sturdy walking shoes. Bring a collecting bag and gloves if you wish. Transportation provided.

Free Programs

Weekly Bird and Nature Walk
Thursdays, January 5 - April 26, 8 - 9:30 am
Member/Non-Member: Free
Leader: Jason Beale

Explore the swamps, forests, and fields of the Milford Millponds Nature Preserve for migratory and resident birds. Learn about the trees, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals. Binoculars are available for use.

Full Moon Walk

Monday, January 9, 5:30 - 7:00 pm
Tuesday, February 7, 5:30 - 7:00 pm
Thursday, March 8, 7:30 - 9:00 pm
Thursday, April 5, 8:00 - 9:30 pm

Member/Non-Member: Free/$5
Leader: Abbott's Mill staff
Note: walk may fall one day prior to the full moon to accommodate earlier viewing.

Take in the march of the seasons by experiencing the natural world in a way people seldom do - walking moonlit trails. Visit different areas of the Milford Millponds Nature Preserve to listen for the calls of roosting birds at dusk or the call of an owl.

Running of the Mill (March - April only)
3rd Saturday of the month, 2 - 3 pm
March 17, April 21Member/Non-Member: Free/$5
Leader: Abbott's Mill staff

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.

Adults

Naturalist Certification Series
Program #: W12-300-AM     Max: 10
March 2012 - October 2012

-Mammals - Lecture: March 15, 7 pm - 9 pm
Field Trip: March 17, 10 am -2 pm
-Terrestrial Ecosystems - Lecture: April 25, 7 pm - 9pm
Field Trip: April 28, 10 am - 2 pm
-Amphibians and Reptiles - Lecture: May 16, 7 pm - 9 pm
Field Trip: TBA
-Birds - Lecture: June 20, 7-9pm
Field Trip: June 23, 8:30am-12:30 pm
-Insects - Lecture: July 18, 7 pm - 9 pm
Field Trip: July 21, 10 am - 2 pm
-Wildflowers - Lecture: August 15, 7 pm -9 pm
Field Trip: August 18, 10am-2pm
-Trees and Shrubs - Lecture: September 12, 7 pm - 9 pm
Field Trip: September 15, 10 am - 2 pm
-Aquatic Ecosystems - Lecture: October 10, 7 pm - 9 pm
Field Trip: October 13, 10 am - 2 pm

Member/Non-Member: $200/$250 (Tuition reimbursement {minus $50} for DNS employees and school teachers. Ask us about it!)
Leader: Jason Beale

Whether you are just beginning your interest in nature, or wish to gain greater depth of understanding of local ecosystems, take advantage of this Fall-Spring course! Learn about the ecology of the Coastal Plain region during nine lectures and field trips led by a naturalist. Each participant will complete a field and classroom notebook in order to become certified.

Wild Edibles of the Month Club
Program #: W12-301-AM

Sunday, January 15, 2 - 4 pm
Sunday, February 12, 2 - 4 pm
Sunday, March 18, 2 - 4 pm
Sunday, April 22, 2 - 4 pm

Member/Non-Member: $20/$30 (entire series)
Member/Non-Member: $7/$10 (per individual session)
Leader: Jeffrey Moore

Have you ever wondered what was edible in the Delaware wilds from winter to spring? Join us monthly as our roaming naturalist takes you through forest and field searching for gastronomic delights and follow nature's bounty as it changes through the season.

Primitive Beer Brewing (Ages21+)
Program #: W12-302-AM
Saturday, January 21 - 9 am - 4 pm
Member/Non-Member: $25/$40 (New lower price!)
Leader: Jeffrey Moore

Learn the ancient art of fermentation and take home samples. Participants will get hands-on experience in the basics of making beer. Please bring your own (cleaned) 1 liter or 750 ml bottles.

Birding by Bike
Program #: W12-303-AM
Saturday, April 21, 7:30 - 10 am
Member/Non-Member: $7/$10
Leader: Jason Beale

Take a guided bicycle tour of varied bird habitats through the farms and forests around Abbott's Mill. Visit the new Isaacs-Greene Preserve and explore the trails for marsh, swamp, and forest birds. This will be a moderately strenuous outing with periodic stops. Participants should be able to bike 15 miles and will need to bring a bicycle (hybrid recommended) and water bottle.

Birds about Town: Goat Island Preserve
Program #: W12-304-AM
Tuesday, April 24- 8 - 10 am
Member/Non-Member: $5/$7
Leader: Jason Beale

Take a tour from Abbott's Mill to Milford Parks and Recreation's Goat Island Preserve. This unique piece of land was created during World War II as the Mispillion River was channelized to allow more direct access to the Delaware Bay. Search the island's forest and tidal marshes for migrating and resident birds. We'll also do some bird watching along the Riverwalk. Binoculars will be provided if needed. In-town participants can arrange to meet at the Goat Island Preserve.

Kayaking Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge
Program #: W12-305-AM
Saturday, April 28, 9 am - 5 pm
Member/Non-Member: $35/$45
Leader: David Toman and Jason Beale
Location: meets at Abbott's Mill Nature Center

Ply the waters of this wildlife refuge that teems with herons, egrets, eagles, osprey, and mammals such as muskrat, beaver, and otter. Explore areas that are only accessible by water in one of Delaware's greatest natural secrets.

Last Child in the Woods: Nature Deficit Disorder Workshop
Program #: W12-306-AM

Tuesday, January 24, 7 - 8:30 pm
Tuesday, January 31, 7 - 8:30 pm
Tuesday, February 7, 7 - 8:30 pm

Member/Non-Member: $15/$25
Leader: Amy Weissenfluh

Examine the changing attitudes and interactions between families and the natural world using Richard Louv's ground-breaking book, Last Child in the Woods, a catalyst for discussion. The three sessions will cover the causes of Nature Deficit Disorder, trends, and solutions to reconnect people to the natural world. There will be some "homework" activities and warm beverages will be provided for discussions around a raging fire. Participants will need to purchase a copy of the book and have it read for the first session.

19th Century Technology at Abbotts Mill
Program #: W12-307-AM
Saturday, February 18, April, 2 - 4 pm
Member/Non-Member: $5/$7
Leader: Stephen Childers

Oliver Evans of Newport, Delaware received U.S. Patent #0003, signed by then-President George Washington. His invention allowed one man to operate an entire grist mill without additional help. See how it all works in one of the best preserved mills in Delaware. Abbott's Mill is complete with water turbine, grind stones, roller mills, grain elevators, diverters and a one-cylinder Morse-Fairbanks diesel engine.

Woodcock Watch Call List
Program #: W12-308-AM
February and March, ~5:30 - 7 pm (Exact dates and times will be determined based on bird activity)
Member/Non-Member: Free/$5
Leader: Jason Beale

The American Woodcock is one of North America's most unique shorebirds. Forsaking mudflats and beaches, it is at home on swamp forest margins and shrubby fields. Their late winter/early spring migration features an impressive courtship flight display and dance. Sign-up for the call list for your opportunity to witness a naturalists' rite of spring.

Woodpeckers of the Isaacs-Greene Preserve
Program #: W12-309-AM
Saturday, March 10, 9 am - Noon
Member/Non-Member: $5/$7
Leader: Jason Beale

Participate in the final year of Delaware's 2nd Breeding Bird Atlas by learning to identify and interpret the breeding behavior of the woodpeckers. Listen to and observe Downy, Hairy, Red-bellied, Northern Flicker, and Pileated Woodpeckers as they begin their courtship.

Owls of the Milford Millponds
Program #: W12-310-AM
Wednesday, March 7, 7 - 9 pm
Member/Non-Member: $5/$7
Leader: Jason Beale

Participate in the final year of Delaware's 2nd Breeding Bird Atlas by learning to identify and interpret the breeding behavior of the owls of the Milford Millponds Nature Preserve. Practice calling for Eastern Screech-owl, Barred Owl, and Great-horned Owl after dark.

Parent(s) & Children Ages 1 - 2

Parent participation required (no extra fee)

Footprints in the Snow
Program #: W12-320-AM
Wednesday, January 11, 10 - 11 am
Member/Non-Member: $4/$6
Leader: Magritte Beale

One, two, three, how many footprints do you see? We'll follow the footprints of some animal friends, and make our own tracks.

Feeder Friends
Program #: W12-321-AM
Wednesday, February 8, 10 - 11 am
Member/Non-Member: $4/$6
Leader: Magritte Beale

Feel bird seed, fill the feeders, and see what feathered friends come to eat. Make a pinecone feeder to take home.

The Wind Blew
Program #: W12-323-AM
Wednesday, March 14, 10 - 11 am
Member/Non-Member: $4/$6
Leader: Magritte Beale

Read this classic storybook and make our own wind with bubbles, straws, and scarves. Hike to listen for the wind as is blows through the woods.

The Busy Tree
Program #: W12-324-AM
Wednesday, April 4, 10 - 11 am
Member/Non-Member: $4/$6
Leader: Magritte Beale

Act out the life cycle of a tree, name six tree parts, and meet some animals that call a tree home. Hike and see some real busy trees!

Parent(s) & Children Ages 1½ - 5

Warm in Winter
Program #: W12-322-AM
Wednesday, February 15, 10 - 11 am
Member/Non-Member: $4/$6
Leader: Miss Jackie, special guest instructor

This special pre-school story time includes sing-a-long songs and finger plays about winter weather and wonderfully illustrated storybooks about snowy days and animals in winter. Miss Jackie, Assistant Children's Librarian at the Dover Public Library, will accompany her songs with guitar and auto harp.

Parent(s) & Children Ages 3 - 5

Parent participation welcome but not required (no extra fee)

Stranger in the Woods
Program #: W12-330-AM
Wednesday, January 25, 10 - 11:30 am
Member/Non-Member: $5/$7
Leader: Magritte Beale

Read the winter classic, Stranger in the Woods, accompanied by games, crafts, and songs that bring the story to life. Create your own "stranger" in the woods if the weather cooperates!

Bird Beak Buffet
Program #: W12-331-AM
Wednesday, February 22, 10 - 11:30 am
Member/Non-Member: $5/$7
Leader: Magritte Beale

Manipulate tools to learn how birds use their beaks to eat, snack on a bird food "buffet", and fill the feeders for our wild bird friends.

Weather Watchers
Program #: W12-332-AM
Wednesday, March 28, 10 - 11:30 am
Member/Non-Member: $5/$7
Leader: Magritte Beale

Read the wind, make clouds, measure puddles, talk about temperature, and meet some animal forecasters, as we learn to notice the weather. Don't forget to dress for the weather!

Ready, Set, Recycle!
Program #: W12-334-AM
Wednesday, April 18, 10 - 11:30 am
Member/Non-Member: $5/$7
Leader: Magritte Beale

Turn "trash" into toys, art, and treasures. Learn how compost is made, and eat "dirt". End our earth day celebration with a hike to a Native American site, where everything is made from natural recyclable materials.

Ages 9 - 17

Teen Naturalists Ages 13-17
Program #: W12-370-AM
Meets monthly January 2011 - August 2011
Members Only: $50
Leaders: Jason Beale and Megan Furman

Do you enjoy hiking, canoeing, wildlife, and being outdoors? Meet monthly for outdoor activities, volunteering at DNS events, and embark on a special summer trip. A campfire cookout information session will be held in September. Outing dates will be sent to registrants. Registration fee does not include cost for occasional overnight trips or a weeklong summer trip.

Fire Making for Kids
Program #: W12-371-AM
Monday, January 16, 10 - Noon (Martin Luther King Day)
Member/Non-Member: $10/$15
Leader: Jeffrey Moore

Learn the art of fire making using various methods such as flint and steel, battery and steel wool, magnifying lens, and bow drill friction fire kit. The program also covers fire building techniques and safety concerns.

Tin Can Stoves and Can Cookery
Program #: W12-372-AM
Monday, January 16, 1 - 3 pm (Martin Luther King Day)
Member/Non-Member: $10/$15
Leader: Jeffrey Moore

Reuse and recycle by experiencing the joy of cooking over an inexpensive stove made from a tin can. Build several different styles of tin can stoves. Try out your stove by cooking some gourmet food.

Slate Knife Workshop
Program #: W12-373-AM
Monday, February 20, 10 - Noon (President's Day)
Member/Non-Member: $10/$15
Leader: Jeffrey Moore

We get down to basics by fashioning an ancient knife design from slate. Create your own ulu chopping knife using primitive methods. This class is messy, so dress accordingly.

Celt Ax Workshop
Program #: W12-374-AM
Monday, February 20, 1 - 3 pm (President's Day)
Member/Non-Member: $10/$15
Leader: Jeffrey Moore

Make your own Celt-styled ax head. This useful tool and its variations were used by many primitive cultures. This class is messy, so dress accordingly.

Archery Basics
Program #: W12-375-AM
Sunday, March 25, 2 - 4 pm
Member/Non-Member: $7/$10
Leader: Jeffrey Moore

Learn the fundamentals of archery on a recurve bow or bring your own. Refine your form with target shooting. Head out to the trails at Abbott's Mill to try your skills on a roving archery course. Practice stalking and shooting from different angles. All levels welcome.

Surviving Spring Break: Primitive Survival Day Camp
Program #: W12-376-AM

Monday, April 9, 9 am - 3 pm
Tuesday, April 10, 9 am - 3 pm
Wednesday, April 11, 9 am - 3 pm
Thursday, April 12, 9 am - 3 pm
Friday, April 13, 9 am - 3 pm

Member/Non-Member: $30/$40 per day
Member/Non-Member: $125/180 per week
Leader: Jeffrey Moore

If you are looking for adventure, learning through hands-on activities and exploring nature the way your ancestors did, then our day camp is for you. Each day we will focus on a different primitive skill such as fire making, stone tools, archery, canoeing, hide tanning and coal burning spoons. Bring a lunch and clothing that can get dirty.

Frogs after Dark
Program #: W12-377-AM
Wednesday, April 18, 7 - 9 pm
Member/Non-Member: $5/$7
Leader: Jason Beale

Venture into the forest at night and follow your ears to find the frogs. Wade in a swamp and vernal pool. Spot, catch, and identify the different species of breeding frogs. Bring a flashlight. Chest waders will be provided or bring your own.

Families With Children of All Ages

Late Winter Night Sky
Program #: W12-380-AM
Wednesday, March 14, 7 - 9 pm
Member/Non-Member: $5/$7
Leader: Jeffrey Moore

Gaze at the beautiful winter night sky. Venus and Jupiter will be highlights for the night. Learn about the constellations of winter and listen to ancient stories of heroes and villains. Participants will have the opportunity to use binoculars and telescopes. Dress for the weather.

Early Spring Night Sky
Program #: W12-381-AM
Sunday, April 15, 7:30 - 9:30 pm
Member/Non-Member: $5/$7
Leader: Jeffrey Moore

Gaze at the beautiful spring night sky. Saturn and its moons take center stage. Learn about the constellations of winter and listen to ancient stories of heroes and villains. Binoculars and telescopes provided. Dress for the weather.

Isaacs-Greene Pond Fishing
Program #: W12-382-AM
Sunday, April 29, 4 - 6 pm
Member/Non-Member: $5/$7
Leader: Jason Beale

Gear up for another fishing season by casting your line at the Beaver Pond in our new Isaacs-Greene Preserve pond. Learn different fishing techniques and try your luck for panfish, bass, and pickerel. Participants over 15 years of age must have a valid Delaware Fishing License to fish.

Canoeing the Murderkill (Ages 9 and up)
Program #: W12-383-AM
Saturday, April 21, 10 am - 4 pm
Member/Non-Member: $15/$25
Leader: Stephen Childers
Note: Children must be at least nine years of age.

Spend 3 - 5 hours canoeing down the Murderkill River from Coursey Pond into Frederica. On the way we will take a side trip up Browns Branch to just below McColley Pond. The program will begin at the Coursey's Pond dam (directions will be provided). Participants will be shuttled back to their cars at the end. Pack a lunch.

Art and Architecture of Buena Vista
Feb. 11, 1:30 - 3:30 pm

Discover one of Delaware's best-kept secrets - the lovely Colonial Revival mansion at Buena Vista! This 19th-century gem houses works old and new, by local artists, and a rich history that includes the Clayton, DuPont, and Buck families. Learn the story of the home, the history, and the art at the core of this beautiful country estate.

Parade of Planets
March 30, 7:00 - 9:00 pm (Rain date: March 31)

Use telescopes and binoculars to witness a spectacular parade of planets (Venus and Jupiter in the west, Mars very close to the bright star Regulus, and maybe even Saturn late and low in the east); a waxing first-quarter moon; and the constellations and deep-sky wonders of the early spring sky. Hot chocolate and cookies will take the chill off afterward.

Dairy Delights
April 21, 1:30 - 3:30 pm

Join us as we hark back to the days when Buena Vista was a bustling dairy farm. Get ready for plenty of shaking, stirring, mixing, and squeezing, while learning to make your own butter, yogurt, ricotta, and ice cream. Recipes and instructions will be provided; bring along a couple of quart-size containers for a take-home treat or two.

Breeding Birds of Buena Vista
June 7, 5:30 - 7:30 pm

Contribute to science! Walk the open spaces of Buena Vista in search of breeding birds to help with the final year of the Delaware Breeding Bird Atlas Project. Look for birds carrying food to hungry nestlings, search for nests, and listen for males singing back and forth establishing their territories. Expect to see colorful orioles, indigo buntings, blue grosbeaks, and other birds of forest and thicket. Afterwards, any observations we make will be entered into the Atlas project and become part of a new book about Delaware birds.

Firefly Frenzy
July 13, 8:00 - 9:30 pm

Buena Vista's meadows are a great place to watch fireflies light up the night! Bring the family and watch the landscape come alive with the bright flashing of these fascinating insects.

Butterflies and Insects of Buena Vista
Aug.11, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm

Bring the family for an exploration of Buena Vista's meadows and gardens. Discover beautiful butterflies, crawly caterpillars, darting dragonflies, and other insects in this lovely landscape.

Creatures of the Night
Sept. 8, 7:30 - 9:00 pm

Celebrate Halloween early with a family trip to Buena Vista! Meet creepy creatures including a live tarantula, millipede, and hissing cockroach, and a taxidermied bat. Venture out for a night hike and use a special detector to track down bats like Little Browns and Eastern Pipistrelles. Finish the evening with a marshmallow roast and a scary story or two.

Monarch Migration
Sept. 22, 1:00 - 3:00 pm

Every year millions of Monarch butterflies migrate 3,000 miles to overwinter in the mountain fir forests of central Mexico. Be a part of this amazing journey by learning to capture, tag, and release these butterflies in conjunction with the Monarch Watch "citizen science" program. Meet some live specimens from Ashland Nature Center's Butterfly House and learn the secret of lepidopteran wings.

Harvest Time at Buena Vista
Oct. 12, 6:00 - 7:30 pm

Tour the grounds and check out the farm fields to discover how the land was used in Buena Vista's early days, what has changed, and what has remained the same. Celebrate the harvest using old-fashioned techniques to create a familiar treat - popcorn! Remove corn from the cob by hand, pop over a campfire, and make your own butter to top it off.

Winter Astronomy
Nov. 16, 7:30 - 9:30 pm

Where can you experience summer and winter at the same time? In the mid-November night skies over Buena Vista! Join us as we view summer constellations like Cygnus, Lyra, and Aquila as they disappear into the west, and harbingers of winter like Orion, Taurus, and Gemini rising in the east. We'll use telescopes and binoculars to observe brilliant Jupiter and its Galilean moons, and deep-sky gems such as the Andromeda Galaxy and Orion Nebula.

Holiday Open House
Dec. 8, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Tour Buena Vista at its most beautiful - decorated for the holidays - then create a holiday ornament using natural materials.