Delaware Nature Society

Since 1964, Delaware Nature Society’s modest beginnings at Brandywine Creek State Park have evolved into environmental education programs and camps for more than 1.4 million people. The organization has facilitated preservation of more than 100,000 acres of open space and farmland. Stewardship of regional natural resources is effectively advocated. A few startup volunteers have grown into 21 full-time, 11 part-time and 120 seasonal instruction employees and more than 1,000 volunteers, located statewide at the Ashland and Abbott’s Mill Nature Centers, Coverdale Farm Preserve, Cooch-Dayett Mills and DuPont Environmental Education Center.

The Delaware Nature Society (DNS) owns or manages more than 1,100 acres of wildlife habitat and educational preserves. Farm education programming is held at our 352-acre Coverdale Farm Preserve. Abbott’s Mill’s historic, water powered gristmill is preserved and operational. Delaware Nature Society’s Burrows Run and Flint Woods Preserves in New Castle County and Marvel Saltmarsh and Cedar Bog Preserves in Sussex County provide extensive field study opportunities.

Encouraged by the Wilmington Junior League and a dozen nature and education-related organizations, DNS was incorporated on September 28, 1964. Its consistent mission has been to foster understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of the natural world, preserve ecologically significant areas and advocate stewardship and conservation of natural resources. Unlike many nature centers that offer environmental education only, DNS has Natural Resource Conservation and Advocacy components also. In addition, it is the Delaware affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), with input on national issues of concern in our region.