Ashland Nature Center - Hockessin
Cooch-Dayett Mills - Newark
Coverdale Farm - Greenville
Dupont Environmental Education Center - Wilmington

ASHLAND NATURE CENTER

Old-time Music Hike and Happy Hour at Burrows Run Preserve
Program#: F09-023-BR    Max: 20    Location: BR    Difficulty: 2
Friday, September 11, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Member/Non-Member: $20/$30
Leaders: Margot Chalfant; Music provided by "Davy's Strings"

Enjoy an after-work nature walk around Burrows Run Preserve. Afterwards settle back at the pavilion in a meadow with some healthy snacks, local wine and beer and toe tapping old time music.

Delaware Agriculture Tour
Program #: F09-024-AS    Max: 10    Location: AS
Saturday, September 19, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Member/Non-Member: $20/$30
Leaders: Edwin Kee, Cabinet Secretary, Delaware Department of Agriculture; Brenna Goggin

Discover the amazing story of Delaware's agriculture and its contribution to feeding our country and to the state's environmental stewardship. The tour will visit poultry, crops and vegetable farms in Kent and Sussex Counties, as well as one stop at a vegetable processing plant. See and experience the challenge of commercial farming through the eyes of Delaware farmers. Through this experience, participants will begin to appreciate the positive environmental impacts of maintaining a viable agricultural industry. Lunch and snacks will be provided. Children over 12 are welcome, but due to OSHA and other regulations they will not be able to tour the processing plant. Please wear solid shoes (no open toe shoes or sandals).

Recognizing Sense of Place
Program #: F09-025-BR
Max: 20    Location: BR    Difficulty: 1
Saturday, September 19, 8:00 am - noon
Member/Non-Member: $20/$30
Leaders: Russ McKinney - published writer and accomplished artist, Margot Chalfant

Calling all writers! Learn the process of engagement with the natural world that captures its Sense of Place. Staged in our pristine Burrows Run Preserve, allow yourself to be guided through a series of experiences selected to deepen your perception and awareness of the natural world. Come to Play, come to write. Rain or shine. Note book and writing implements will be provided.



Dragon Run Canoeing - Dusk to Dark
Program #: F09-026-AS    Max: 12    Location: AS
Friday, September 25, 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Member/Non-Member: $25/$35
Leader: Jim White

Take a leisurely paddle on the Dragon Run, a freshwater marsh alive with birds, wildflowers, and wildlife such as beavers, muskrats, and even otters! Enjoy the experience of paddling into the marsh at dusk, then paddling out after twilight. This is an easy 2 mile paddle and no experience is necessary. Bring a bag dinner and a headlamp if you have one. Lights will not be used unless necessary so wildlife won't be spooked.

Canoeing and Cranberries: Fall in the Pine Barrens
Program #: F09-027-AS    Max: 12    Location: AS
Saturday, September 26, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Member/Non-Member: $45/$65
Leader: Mike Riska

Visit the New Jersey Pine Barrens during the height of cranberry season. Tour historic Batsto Village, and canoe Batsto Lake and River to find fall blooming wildflowers such as the ladies-tresses orchid. Bring lunch and water.

Astronomy at Granogue
Program #: F09-028-AS    Max: 12    Location: AS
Friday, October 30, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Member/Non-Member: $15/$22
Leader: Sheila Vincent

Join us for astronomy in one of Delaware's most spectacular settings - the stone water tower on the historic Granogue estate. Enjoy breathtaking views of Jupiter blazing bright in Capricorn, and a host of ghostly nebulae and glittering star clusters. Binoculars and a small telescope will expose unseen features and reveal hidden celestial gems.

Tour of the Ashland Hollow Gardens
Program #: F09-029-AS
Max: 12    Location: AS    Difficulty: 1
Monday, October 12, 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Member/Non-Member: $10/$15
Leaders: Bill and Nancy Frederick

Tour the 17-acre, 40-year-old Ashland Hollow Gardens, centered around a stream with waterfalls and plantings to enjoy in all seasons. The highlight at this time of year will be mums and asters, but enjoy a myriad of other landscapes, designed by Bill Frederick.

Champion Tree Tour
Program #: F09-030-AS
Max: 12    Location: AS    Difficulty: 1
Thursday, October 22, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Member/Non-Member: $18/$29
Leader: Joe Sebastiani

Delaware Champion Trees are the largest living specimens of each tree variety of their kind in the state. Tour several locations in and around Wilmington to see some of Delaware's Champion Trees. Receive a free book, Big Trees of Delaware. Bring lunch.

Hoopes Reservoir Hike
Program#: F09-031-AS
Max: 20    Location: AS    Difficulty: 3
Wednesday, October 28, 8:00 am - noon
Member/Non-Member: $15/$22
Leaders: Joe Sebastiani and Sally O'Byrne

Join us for an exclusive nature and history hike around the picturesque Hoopes Reservoir. This area has been closed to the public since 1971, and your hike will take you approximately 3 miles through wooded coves and small hills. Bring water, binoculars and wear hiking shoes.

Flint Woods to Granogue Hike and Lunch
Program #: F09-032-FW
Max: 12    Location: FW    Difficulty: 3
Saturday, November 7, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Members/Non-Members: $25/$37
Leader: Joe Sebastiani and Michele Wales

Enjoy a crisp fall day on a 3-mile walk from the Flint Woods Preserve to the Water Tower at the Granogue Estate. Finish the hike at the top of the stone water tower for an outstanding view and watching for migratory hawks. A gourmet lunch will be served.

Ashland to Bucktoe Creek Preserve Hike
Program #: F09-033-AS
Max: 12    Location: AS    Difficulty: 3
Friday, November 20, 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Member/Non-Member: $15/$22
Leader: Joe Sebastiani

Enjoy this exclusive 6-mile hike through land not accessible to the public. Hike along Red Clay Creek, through upland meadows, mature forests, and wetlands on private land and closed nature preserves. Road walking is very limited. Wear hiking boots/shoes and bring water.

Delaware Nature Society 2009 Travel Year-in-Review and Dinner
Program #: F09-034-AS    No Max    Location: AS
Wednesday, December 9, 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Member/Non-Member: $30/$46
Host: Joe Sebastiani and trip leaders

Enjoy a recap of the year in Delaware Nature Society travel programs through the photography of the trip leaders. A catered dinner and cocktails will be served followed by a scrumptious dessert. A short preview of the 2010 trips will be included.

COVERDALE FARM

Sunrise Yoga    Max: 20
Program #: F09-036-CF Friday, September 4, 11, 18, 25, 8:30 am - 9:30 am
Program #: F09-037-CF Friday, October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 8:30 am - 9:30 am
Program #: F09-038-CF Friday, November 6, 13, 8:30 am - 9:30 am
Program #: F09-039-CF Friday, December 4, 11, 18, 8:30 am - 9:30 am
Member/Non-Member: September: $32/$40; October: $40/$50; November: $16/$20; December: $24/$30
Leader: Stephanie Zenorini, Certified Yoga Instructor

Welcome the day at Coverdale Farm bringing your mind and spirit into harmony through Yoga. Learn the basics of breathing, posture alignment, strengthening, and stretching as well as balance and body awareness. Bring a Yoga mat and dress for easy movement. Registration can be taken on a monthly basis or you may register for the 4 month block.

Sunset Yoga
Max: 20    Location: AS
Program #: F09-040-CF Monday, September 14, 21, 28, 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Program #: F09-041-CF Monday, October 5, 12, 19, 26, 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Program #: F09-042-CF Monday, November, 2, 9, 16, 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Program #: F09-043-CF Monday, December, 7, 14, 21, 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Member/Non-Member: September: $24/$30; October: $32/$40; November: $24/$30; December: $24/$30
Leader: Stephanie Zenorini, Certified Yoga Instructor

Celebrate the end of day at Coverdale Farm Overlook bringing your mind and spirit into harmony through Yoga. Learn the basics of breathing, posture alignment, strengthening, and stretching as well as balance and body awareness. Bring a Yoga mat and dress for easy movement. Registration can be taken on a monthly basis or you may register for the 4 month block.

Heirloom Tomato and Wine Tasting
Program #: F09-044-CF    Max: 20
Wednesday, September 2, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Member/Non-Member: $25/$35
Leaders: Michele Wales & Joe Sebastiani

Enjoy a late summer evening strolling from the Coverdale farmstead to the Burrows Run Preserve. Relax at the Coverdale Pond stone fireplace for a delicious paired tasting of Paradocx wines and Coverdale Farm heirloom tomatoes. Delight in delectable local wines and tomatoes from delicate white to rich red.

Preserving the Harvest
Program # F09-045-CF    Max: 10
Saturday, September 26, 9:30 am - 2:00 pm
Member/Non-Member Price: $55/$65
Leaders: Michele Wales and Barbara Wales

Springtime had us dreaming of all the wonderful things we could grow. Harvest time has us wondering how to make use of the season's bounty! Discover the many creative ways to pickle, can, and freeze our freshly harvested ingredients. Return home with jars of garden delights to enjoy when the weather turns cold. All materials included in cost, please bring a bagged lunch.

Indian Summer: Watercolors from the Autumn Vegetable Garden
Program #: F09-046-CF    Max: 10
Tuesdays, September 15 - October 27, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Member/Non Member: $200/$250
Leader: Diana Heitzman, local artist

Preserve the autumnal bounty from Coverdale Farm's heirloom garden in watercolor. Bring a camera to your first class photographing the likes of "Black Prince" tomato; "Amish Moon & Stars" watermelon and "Rostov" sunflowers. Learn the technique of working in watercolor while discovering the beauty of Coverdale in the fall. Please bring the following materials: watercolor paper & brushes, pencils, eraser, container for water, paper towels and photographs taken from first session.

Got Worms? Vermicomposting 101
Program #: F09-048-CF    Max: 10
Sunday, December 6, 10 am - 12 pm
Member/ Non-Member $35/$55
Leader: Jane Griffin

Looking for a way to be "green" in the kitchen? Recycle kitchen waste by building your own worm composter at Coverdale Farm. Turn food scraps into high quality compost for your houseplants or garden. This class includes bin construction, care, feeding, and maintenance of the worms and bin. All materials included in cost.

Not Your Ordinary Pumpkin Pie!
Program #: F09-049-CF    Max: 10
Saturday, November 21, 9:30 am - 2:00 pm
Member/ Non-Member: $45/$60
Leaders: Michele Wales & Barbara Wales

Seeking a solution for the same old pumpkin pie dessert this Thanksgiving? Coverdale Farm has the answer! Learn how to take an heirloom winter squash from field to table with delicious results. All materials included for baking, please bring a bagged lunch.

The Italian Kitchen
Program #: F09-050-CF    Max: 10
Saturday, October 10, 2 pm - 5 pm
Member/ Non-Member: $35/$50
Leader: Gloria Cooke

Experience field to table cooking Italian style. Join Gloria as she teaches you to prepare a fresh and delicious meal beginning with the harvest from the garden and ending with eating your European creation. All materials included for cooking.

COOCH-DAYETT MILLS

Ghost Hunting at Cooch-Dayett Mills
Program#: F09-030-DM    Max: 15    Location: DM
Saturday, October 24, 9:00 pm - 10:30 pm
Member/Non-Member: $15/$22
Leaders: Delaware Ghost Tours

Join us at the historic Cooch-Dayett Mill, nestled in the historic Welsh Tract of Pencader Hundred, and just yards away from Delaware's only Revolutionary War Battlefield. After years of accumulating paranormal experiences during our outdoor tours, we've now been allowed unprecedented access inside the mill and its outbuilding. In partnership with Delaware Nature Society, we are now offering exclusive tours of the mill and surrounding area. We'll tell you tales of fires and treasure, battles and ghosts, and then allow you to investigate the grounds. Bring your digital camera, and use our equipment for a paranormal experience unlike any we've ever offered before! Meet us at the Mill.

DUPONT ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER

NEW! Birding in Wilmington Marsh
Program #: F09-051-DC    Max: 12
Thursday, October 29, 8:30 am - 10:30 am
Member/Non-Member: $10/$15
Leader: Jim White

Search for migrating fall birds including hawks, ducks, and a variety of songbirds in the Russel W. Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge with Jim White. Meet at the DuPont Environmental Education Center.

NEW! Historic Christina River Cruise
Program #: F09-052-DC    Max: 34
Thursday, October 22, 5:00 pm - 6:45 pm
Member/Non-Member: $16/$24
Leader: Sally O'Byrne Host: John Harrod

Take a scenic cruise along the Christina River to learn about its rich cultural, agricultural and industrial history with Sally O'Byrne, local author of Wilmington's Waterfront. Light refreshments provided. Meet at the DuPont Environmental Education Center.

NEW! Ride the Tide on the Christina River
Program #: F09-053-DC    Max: 12
Saturday, October 31, 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Member/Non-Member: $30/$45
Leader: David Pragoff
Look for wildlife and enjoy the scenery by canoe as you paddle down a stretch of the Christina River. Meet at the DuPont Environmental Education Center and canoe from Churchman's road to the river walk area.

NEW! Waterfowl Watch
Program #: F09-054-DC    Max: 15
Sunday, November 8, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Member/Non-Member: $8/$12
Leader: Derek Stoner

Late fall is a great time to watch for migrating waterfowl in the marsh at the DuPont Environmental Education Center. This is a popular stopover for ducks, geese and other waterfowl.