Study tree identification during the dormant season through this Zoom lecture and field trip to Flint Woods Preserve. Become more proficient in identifying oaks, hickories, maples, and other trees by examining fallen leaves, buds, bark and twigs. Flint Woods Preserve is one of the best examples of old-growth forest in the Delaware Piedmont, with rolling hills, and a high biodiversity of plants and animals.
Zoom lecture:
Field trip:
Adults | $35 | Sign in for Member discount
Retreat to Ashland Nature Center for more than 24 hours of activities that will benefit your health, mind, mood, and soul. Forget about your day-to-day life and immerse yourself in the natural world, healthy food, nature observation, art, and more to give your mind and body a needed break. On Friday evening, enjoy a campfire circle and some astronomy with an expert. Stay the night at the Ashland Nature Center lodge (or sleep at home if you wish). On Saturday, wake up with an early gentle-yoga session that is suitable for all. After breakfast, relax with both Forest Bathing and Ornitherapy. Both activities are designed to put you in touch with nature in a mindful, relaxing, and rejuvenating way that you will love. After a catered lunch, take part in an outdoor art experience, as well as a session to learn about the benefits of essential oils. Take home products from both experiences. The program will end at the nearby Coverdale Farm Preserve where you will take a tour to learn about the process of growing organic vegetables, see the vegetable production facilities, and how we run our regenerative agriculture program to benefit people and nature at the same time. Finish with a dinner of Coverdale Farm Preserve products made by the Centreville Café. This experience includes an overnight stay in the Ashland Lodge, alcoholic beverages, breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Saturday. Eat dinner prior to arrival on Friday, or bring a bag dinner. Sleeping arrangements will be on cots in open-style bunk-rooms. Shared bathrooms with showers are available. For those of you that are going to sleep at home and come back Saturday, there is no difference in price, but it is an option.
Pre-registration is required and ends 24hrs prior to event. Capacity is limited.
Adults | $240.00 | Sign in for Member discount
Only a few have ever heard the ghostly tales of Ashland….the secret passageways, the unsolved mysteries, the buried treasures. Brave families can join a storyteller for a walk along dark trails with a candle lantern. Uncover the mysteries of Ashland …and be on the lookout for glowing skulls and chattering nighttime creatures! Price per family.
Family | $25 | Sign in for Member discount
Discover the wonders of nature with your little one! Enjoy hands-on nature activities outdoors with our professional team of Teacher Naturalists.
Preregistration required.
Registration includes one child and one adult.
Preschoolers (ages 3-5) | $15.00 | Sign in for Member discount
Who doesn't love a snow day! We'll have fun enjoying snow, no matter if its natural, pretend or created. Engage all of your senses as we enjoy the afternoon.
Children | $13 | Sign in for Member discount
It's “Groundhog’s Day!” Will Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow? We'll make a groundhog puppet, visit an outdoor burrow, play games and look for our own shadows! Price per person.
Family (all ages) | $15 | Sign in for Member discount
Meet our Animal Ambassadors. Come learn about some of the animals that live in and around the marsh.
There is no cost to this program, however registration is preferred.
All Ages | Free!
By registering, you agree to DelNature's liability waiver and policies.
Acting like animals. Welcome to another year of Knee Highs at Abbott's Mill Nature Center! This fall and early spring we will have a learning adventure every Wednesday from 10:00 to 11:30 AM. Our theme is biodiversity (native plants and animals, and habitats). This season will be full of hikes, observations, and fun learning activities for kids 2-5 with a parent. Discover the wonders of nature with your little one! Enjoy hands-on nature discovery outdoors with our Teacher Naturalists. Pre-registration required. All programs will be conducted fully outside, rain or shine, so please dress for the weather. Led by Abbott's Mill Teacher Naturalist.
Registration required. Registration includes one child and one adult.
Preschoolers (ages 2-5) | $15.00 | Sign in for Member discount
Kick off the season at Coverdale Farm Preserve! Find your perfect Christmas tree, create festive holiday crafts and gifts at our DIY Workshop, and explore specialty gifts at the Winter Market. Join us for a joyful holiday experience!
Selection of Christmas Trees are 6-10ft - majority of Frazier Fir.
DIY Workshop crafts/gifts - Sock Snowmen, Cinnamon Stick Ribbon Trees, Wood Coasters, Card Making, Candle Dipping; Herb Sachets and more! Pricing ranges $2-$6/item.
Specialty Gifts include: Ornaments, candles, holiday party food, specialty soap, confections, and much more.
All Ages | Free!
Hungry after a busy Knee High Naturalist program? Swing by, unpack your lunch, and stay for a story! Families and kids are welcome to join a Delaware Nature Society guide for a fun story time after the program. At noon, feel free to check out The Market to grab some Coverdale eggs, our seasonal produce, and other delicious goods.
Thanks to DelNature Members there is no cost to the program, however we kindly ask that you register. Registration includes one child and one adult.
Preschoolers | Free!
By registering, you agree to DelNature's liability waiver and policies.
Hungry after a busy Knee-high Naturalist program? Swing by, unpack your lunch, and stay for a story! Families and kids are welcome to join a Delaware Nature Society guide for a fun story time after the program.
Thanks to DelNature Members there is no cost to the program, however we kindly ask that you register. Registration includes one child and one adult.
Preschoolers | Free!
By registering, you agree to DelNature's liability waiver and policies.
Let’s celebrate Earth Day together with spring cleaning around the farm. Join our Farm & Education Teams as we ready the Vegetable Production Gardens, Cut Flower Garden, Education Garden, and Farmyard Classroom for the busy summer season. Get your hands dirty with the Coverdale Crew accomplishing the many tasks that the farm has to offer. Wind down after with light refreshments and relaxation with newfound friends.
Preregistration encouraged.
Adults | Free!
By registering, you agree to DelNature's liability waiver and policies.
Middle Run Natural Area is an 880-acre New Castle County Park north of Newark. Delaware Nature Society has worked with the County for many years to plant and manage tens of thousands of trees here in an effort to re-forest large sections of the park. Join us to help plant trees in a new forest we are adding this fall! Registrants will receive directions on where to meet for the planting, as planning is still in the works. Bring shovels, a watering bucket, garden gloves and dress for the weather. We will be planting several hundred trees and we need your help on this fun and rewarding event. Led by Delaware Nature Society Staff.
Registration required. Children are welcome but each child must be accompanied by an adult.
Volunteers (ages 6+) | Free!
By registering, you agree to DelNature's liability waiver and policies.
Consisting of approximately 1.1 million acres of land in South Jersey, the Pinelands National Reserve is our nation's first National Reserve. Join DelNature’s Director of Education, and a local Pinelands trail guide, for a lively winter thru-hike to learn about this unique land management success story on a brisk 7-mile exploration along one of the Reserve's newest trails through forest, meadow, and swamp. Further details will be provided closer to the program date. We will be meeting in the Ashland Parking lot for prompt departure. Led by Todd Klawinski. Van transportation is provided.
Preregistration is required due to limited capacity. Registration closes 5 days before the event.
Adults | $50.00 | Sign in for Member discount
Most people think of New Jersey as a suburban-industrial corridor that runs between New York and Philadelphia. Yet in the low center of the state is a near wilderness, larger than most national parks, which has been known since the seventeenth century as the Pine Barrens. Consisting of approximately 1.1 million acres of land in South Jersey, the Pinelands National Reserve is our nation's first National Reserve. Join DelNature’s Director of Education, and St. Joe’s University Professor Christine Flanagan, for a driving and walking tour after reading The Pine Barrens by American writer John McPhee. McPhee’s book explores the history, people and biology of the New Jersey Pine Barrens that originally appeared in The New Yorker in 1967. We will learn about this unique land management success story through profiles of contemporary residents, local history and culture, unique geography and environment, and issues facing the region both then and now. Further details will be provided closer to the program date. We will be meeting in the Ashland Parking lot for prompt departure. Led by Todd Klawinski. Van transportation is provided.
Preregistration is required due to limited capacity. Registration closes 5 days before the event.
Adults | $100.00 | Sign in for Member discount
Butterflies will soon be fluttering around Ashland. Enjoy crafts, look for caterpillars, and drink tea! Plant a flower for the Butterflies to enjoy and take one home to start your own butterfly garden. Led by Erynn DeGennaro.
Family | $20 | Sign in for Member discount
Discover the wonders of nature with your little one! Enjoy hands-on nature activities outdoors with our professional team of Teacher Naturalists.
Preregistration required.
Adult participation required, free of charge.
Preschoolers (ages 3-5) | $15.00 | Sign in for Member discount
Join DelNature Ornithologist Ian Stewart to see birds up close as we carefully measure, weigh and band them to track their movements and survival. Bird banding takes place every Wednesday morning from 7am until 10am at Bucktoe Creek Preserve (432 Sharp Road, Avondale PA 19311). All banding is conducted by trained professionals under the necessary permits. Please note that banding will not take place in windy or wet weather. Led by Ian Stewart.
Thanks to DelNature Members there is no cost to the program, however we kindly ask that you register. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
All Ages (ages 3+) | Free!
By registering, you agree to DelNature's liability waiver and policies.
Who's the best gobbler in your family? Get your Thanksgiving table ready with a turkey centerpiece from natural items, and craft a turkey snack!
Children | $14 | Sign in for Member discount
One of the most exciting signs of spring is the appearance and courtship flights of the American Woodcock. Join us as we explore Coverdale Farm Preserve at dusk to see and hear these odd, plump members of the shorebird family conduct their displays. Afterwards, enjoy a glass of wine to toast the exciting bird also known as the "Mudbat". Enjoy Aldo Leopold's wonderful description of the experience to get a taste of what we hope for: Knowing the place and the hour, you seat yourself under a bush to the east of the dance floor and wait, watching against the sunset for the woodcock’s arrival. He flies in low from some neighboring thicket, alights on the bare moss, and at once begins the overture: a series of queer throaty peents spaced about two seconds apart, and sounding much like the summer call of the nighthawk.
Suddenly the peenting ceases and the bird flutters skyward in a series of wide spirals, emitting a musical twitter. Up and up he goes, the spirals steeper and smaller, the twittering louder and louder, until the performer is only a speck in the sky. Then, without warning, he tumbles like a crippled plane, giving voice in a soft liquid warble that a March bluebird might envy. At a few feet from the ground he levels off and returns to his peenting ground, usually to the exact spot where the performance began, and there resumes his peenting. It is soon too dark to see the bird on the ground, but you can see his flights against the sky for an hour, which is the usual duration of the show. On moonlight nights, however, it may continue, at intervals, as long as the moon continues to shine…
Adults | $30 | Sign in for Member discount
Enjoy a bird walk at the Dupont Environmental Education Center along the Wilmington Riverfront. Walk parts of the Jack Markell Trail and the Boardwalk Trail at the Center to look for wetland species as well as birds of the nearby thickets and forests. Led by experienced birders who will help beginners identify birds, as well as look for rarer species.
Adults | Free
By registering, you agree to DelNature's liability waiver and policies.
Learn how to contact and meet with elected officials, present your issue, and keep in touch. These are tools and techniques anyone can use to influence positive action on the issues that matter most to them.
This advocacy webinar is a live, standalone, one hour program, and is offered multiple times every spring and fall. We encourage you to find the date that works best for you. If you would like to schedule a private webinar for your classroom, business, or community please let us know.
Led by Mark Nardone and Robin Glazer.
Preregistration required.
Adults | Free!
March in Coverdale’s Trick-or-Treat Parade. Follow the parade path to meet and treat the animals - and YOU! Stay after for Autumn Fun and have a ball this fall. Free, no registration, costumes encouraged!
All Ages | Free!
Abbott's Mill Nature Center is hosting this family-friendly fun event where participants, young and old alike, will use locally-sourced natural materials to construct a "hollyday" wreath. Come join the fun and note that space is limited so please register early.
Pre-registration ends 24 hours before event. Capacity is limited.
Families | $30.00 | Sign in for Member discount
Bring a packed lunch and join us for an unforgettable experience at Ashland! Help us feed the animals, enjoy a captivating story, and have lunch surrounded by friends. Meets in the Visitor Center. Free for all! Adult participation required.
Thanks to DelNature Members there is no cost to the program, however we kindly ask that you register. Adult participation required, free of charge.
Children | Free!
By registering, you agree to DelNature's liability waiver and policies.
Enjoy celebrating Valentines Day out in nature! Join us at Coverdale Farm for a night hike led by Ian Stewart through our 377-acre preserve on the search for Owls and other nocturnal wildlife! After the hike, enjoy refreshments and s’mores making while enjoying the sites and sounds of the farm at night! This is a Members only event and will run rain or shine. Led by Ian Stewart.
This is a Members only event.
Special Event (ages 21+) | Free!
Experience a scenic, mid-impact hike that changes weekly based on participant interest. Explore the farm or venture into the preserve to discover the natural beauty of the land. Enjoy fresh air, peaceful views, and a deeper connection with nature. Hikes occur every week from April to Mid-November but will vary based on participant interest.
There is no cost to this program, however registration is preferred.
Adults | Free!
By registering, you agree to DelNature's liability waiver and policies.
Immerse yourself in the captivating world of marsh ecosystems! Use dip nets to get up close and personal with diverse aquatic life, from tadpoles and fish to snails and bugs. This is 30 minutes of hands-on fun you don't want to miss!
Registration is not required, but please sign up to reserve your spot and stay up to date.
There is no cost to this program, however registration is preferred.
All Ages | Free!
By registering, you agree to DelNature's liability waiver and policies.
Winter brings many new secrets to explore at Ashland. Learn how native animals survive in the winter, build forts to keep warm, and discover the world of maple sugaring. Gather round a campfire for s'mores and stories. Play and explore on this winter adventure!
Preregistration is required. This event is expected to sell out.
Children (grade completed K-3) | $70.00 | Sign in for Member discount
Shop our Native Plant Sale for plants for a variety of growing conditions that help you Garden for Water and Wildlife.
Adults | Free!
Decorate an assembled house with all the fixins to create a beautiful house for your backyard birds! Enjoy a crackling fire and refreshments! Price is per family.
Registration required.
Families | $35.00 | Sign in for Member discount
Does it make you feel good to help both people and nature thrive in your community? With guidance from professional land stewards and environmental educators, this program series will encourage and enable diverse communities to get more involved in local conservation efforts right in our own neighborhoods. Enhancing underutilized areas of school grounds as outdoor learning spaces for the community offers many wonderful opportunities for all. Learn how to bring folks together and get involved as we review some proven campus projects tied to the land through geography, science, and cultural experiences. There will be a separate field-experience program date related to this lecture that will be available through Delaware Nature Society.
Led by Todd Klawinski. Preregistration required.
Adults | Free!
Registration via application only...
Craving creativity? Tired of crafting alone or zoning out in front of the TV? Connect and mingle with fellow makers, share your skills, and spark new ideas in a fun, welcoming space. Bring a craft project from home- or just bring yourself! Want to bring extra materials to share? Optional but always appreciated. Whether you're a seasoned creator or a curious beginner, there's a spot for you. Craft, chat, and unwind with light refreshments and great company. Led by Isi Schweiger and Staci Pinkowitz.
Registration required.
Adults | $7.00 | Sign in for Member discount
Enjoy a pancake breakfast featuring live music by The Sugar Maples then tap into the hidden art of the forest. Explore the rich diversity of local trees, learn spring tree identification, and the craft of natural sugaring. Visit various tree species in their natural habitat, and dive into the secrets of how trees produce sap for syrup. Sample a variety of syrups, each made from a different tree species, and discover how the flavors vary with each.
Registration required. This is a Members only event.
Adults | $35.00
Enjoy a bird walk around the Middle Run Natural Area through forest restoration areas, thickets, and meadows. Look for migrants such as warblers, orioles, flycatchers, sparrows and other species that are passing through. Meets Tuesday mornings, September and October, at the parking lot of the 'Middle Run Birding Trail' off of Possum Hollow Road in Newark. Led by DelNature Adult Education Team.
Thanks to DelNature Members there is no cost to the program, however we kindly ask that you register.
Adults (ages 16+) | Free!
By registering, you agree to DelNature's liability waiver and policies.
Learn how to contact and meet with elected officials, present your issue, and keep in touch. These are tools and techniques anyone, including non--voters, can use to influence positive action on the issues that matter most to them. Led by Mark Nardone and Robin Glazer.
Registration required. Adult participation required with minors.
All Ages (ages 12+) | Free!
Embark on a culinary adventure with our Young Chefs Cooking Class! Tailored for budding chefs, grades 3-6, this program provides an exciting opportunity to explore the world of cooking. Participants receive a new cookbook and cook several recipes while learning fundamental kitchen skills, experimenting with ingredients, and creating tasty dishes. Join us for a delicious journey!
Led by Farm Staff.
Pre-registration ends 24 hours before event. Capacity is limited.
Children (grades 3-6) | $50.00 | Sign in for Member discount
Bring your family and enjoy a guided stroll around the farm! This low impact hike offers a chance to explore the happenings on the farm, visit with the animals, and take in the natural beauty. Perfect for all ages, this relaxing adventure provides a fun and educational experience for the whole family. Feel free to join us every Saturday from April to mid-November.
There is no cost to this program, however registration is preferred.
All Ages | Free!
By registering, you agree to DelNature's liability waiver and policies.
Red leaves, yellow leaves, green leaves or no leaves! Come take a hike through the preserve with Joe to see all the fun fall foliage! Led By Joe Sebastiani.
Adults | $20 | Sign in for Member discount
Explore Monarch butterflies and awesome animals that call the Russell W. Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge home. The event is free and open to the public – no registration required, just show up! Enjoy activities for all ages:
- see live butterflies, turtles, and frogs
- tag and release monarch butterflies
- view nature center exhibits
- try beginner canoeing
- and more!
Registration is not required, but we will send email updates to those who have pre-registered.
All Ages | Free!
An evening of owls! Learn about their calls and incredible night senses. Read “Owl Moon”, then take a night hike in search of owls. Led by Courtney McKinley.
Family | $14 | Sign in for Member discount
Shake off those mid-winter blues and start dreaming about a garden filled with bees and butterflies! We will share a simple method of growing native wildflower seeds during the winter so your dream garden can become a reality. All materials provided. We will end with a walk around Ashland to search for winter birds. Led by Ian Stewart.
Preregistration is required due to limited capacity. Registration closes 24 hours before the event.
Adults (ages 16+) | $25.00 | Sign in for Member discount
Learn about the maple sugaring process, boil sap, taste it. Then, warm up with a pancake breakfast complete with maple syrup. Price is per person.
Family* (all ages) | Members $12 | Non-members $15
Member Discount will be applied in the Shopping Cart (must be signed in)
Take a free, guided bird walk at the privately-owned Bucktoe Creek Preserve in Chester County, PA. Enjoy several habitats including thickets, fields, mature forest, and stream corridors. Learn some new skills about bird identification as we look for common resident birds as well as birds migrating from the north. Colorful warblers, flycatchers, vireos, thrushes, and raptors will be some of the highlights. Meets at 432 Sharp Road, Avondale, PA. Led by DelNature Adult Education Team.
Thanks to DelNature Members there is no cost to the program, however we kindly ask that you register.
Adults (ages 16+) | Free!
By registering, you agree to DelNature's liability waiver and policies.
Visit Ashland Hawk Watch any day from September through November to see raptors migrating south. Experienced Hawk Watchers are here every day identifying and counting the multiple species passing overhead. Come join the fun and see some great birds! Chairs, picnic tables, and even binoculars are provided. Bring a picnic basket and a friend.
Thanks to DelNature Members there is no cost to the program, however we kindly ask that you register.
All Ages | Free!
By registering, you agree to DelNature's liability waiver and policies.
Join us for a day of community service on the 3rd Saturday of the month for DEEC Days of Service! Let's work together to improve urban marshlands, protect wildlife, and create a greener future. As a team, tackle different tasks like cleaning up trash, fighting plastic pollution, and enhancing spaces for education and exploration. Your commitment matters—let's make a positive impact on our environment and connect with the wonders of the marsh! Led by Thea Lopez.
Preregistration encouraged.
All Ages (ages 5+) | Free!
Does it make you feel good to help both people and nature thrive in your community? With guidance from professional land stewards and environmental educators, this program series will encourage and enable diverse communities to get more involved in local conservation efforts right in our own neighborhoods. Enhancing underutilized areas of school grounds as outdoor learning spaces for the community offers many wonderful opportunities for all. Learn how to bring folks together and get involved as we review some proven campus projects tied to the land through geography, science, and cultural experiences. There will be a separate field-experience program date related to this lecture that will be available through Delaware Nature Society.
Program meets at Wild Birds Unlimited, 100 Evergreen Drive, Suite 109 Glen Mills, PA 19342. Led by Todd Klawinski. Preregistration required.
Adults | Free!
Kick off the weekend at your favorite farm with friends and conviviality. Join the Coverdale Farmers for hands-on delicious & artistic experiences that will relax and revive your spirit. Enjoy fantastic light refreshments alongside the evening’s activities. Come with friends or come to make friends, this will be an evening of farm fun! Throughout the season take one or all of the many offerings. Led by Logan McCabe.
Preregistration required.
Adults | $60.00 | Sign in for Member discount