DNS Staff Members

Meet Our Executive Director

Brian Winslow has been named the new executive director of the Delaware Nature Society, effective Jan. 1, 2012. Winslow will succeed Michael Riska, who has been the executive director of DNS since 1984 and a member of the staff since 1969.Currently, Winslow is the director of the Asbury Woods Nature Center in Erie, Pa., which attracts more than 65,000 visitors annually. At Asbury Woods, Winslow spearheaded a successful capital campaign that raised $3.8 million for completion of a greenway trail, renovation of a farm site as a trail head and education facility, and expansion to the nature center.

A graduate of Ohio University, Winslow worked as a farm interpreter, naturalist and environmental education manager at facilities in Michigan and Ohio before joining Asbury Woods in 1997. He is a board member of the Association of Nature Center Administrators and the Lake Erie Regional Conservancy.Winslow and his wife, Carrie, and their children, Emily and Evan, enjoy cross-country skiing, hiking, biking, kayaking and other outdoor activities. They look forward to exploring and getting to know the trails and waterways of Delaware. Click to E-mail

Meet Our Associate Directors

Helen Fischel joined the Delaware Nature Society education department in 1980. Her undergraduate degree is a BS in Elementary Education from University of Delaware and she holds a MS in Education from Widener University. Helen oversees the education department staff at all sites (Ashland Nature Center, Abbotts Mill Nature Center, Coverdale Farm Preserve, DuPont Environmental Education Center) and coordinates the 21 credits worth of classes through the University of Delaware. Look for her each season on the trail teaching 1.5 yr old to teachers programs. Click to E-mail



Elizabeth Dougherty joined the Delaware Nature Society as Associate Director of Development and Marketing in 2011. She has been in fundraising for over ten years and has worked for many non-profit organizations such as Meals on Wheels and Produce for Better Health Foundation. During her previous position as Vice President of Development & Marketing for Planned Parenthood of Delaware, she received her CFRE certification (Certified Fund Raising Executive) and is currently a member of AFP (Association of Fundraising Professionals). She also has a degree in Marketing and Communications from Manhattan College and in her previous life, worked for DMB& B advertising in New York and Lyons Marketing & Communications in Delaware. Elizabeth will oversee all aspects of Fundraising, Membership, Marketing, Volunteering and Public Relations. Click to E-mail



Ginger North was recently appointed the Associate Director for Natural Resources Conservation, but she has been managing Delaware Nature Society's Citizen Science programs since 1995. She received a Master of Science degree in Genetics from the University of Delaware, and Bachelor of Science degree in Biology/Marine Biology from the University of Long Island. She taught biology laboratories for four years at the University of Delaware. She also has an extensive background in Quality Control, both in a clinical microbiology laboratory and in a hospital endocrinology laboratory. Click to E-mail

David Toman joined the Delaware Nature Society in August 2001 as a result of his mother's suggestion to respond to an employment advertisement for a job combining his love of nature and the outdoors with his accounting and business experience. David is the Associate Director of Business and Finance and is also responsible for Human Resources. He earned his accounting degree from Widener University and has specialized in non-profits working both in public accounting and as a non-profit business manager. Earlier experiences include managing a retail camping department and a resort real estate rental program in the mountains of West Virginia. David's life-long hobbies of camping, backpacking, canoeing, kayaking and cross-country skiing have proved to be an asset that has allowed him to lead members' trips for DNS. He has enjoyed canoeing Prime Hook and Dragon Run, and skiing the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge with fellow DNS members. Click to E-mail


Jim White has worked at the Delaware Nature Society since 1982. Currently he is the Associate Director for Land and Biodiversity Management overseeing the society's land and facilities. A native Delawarean, he graduated from the Salesianum high school and the University of Delaware. Jim's natural history interests include birds, insects, amphibians and reptiles. He teaches herpetology at the Delaware Nature Society and with his wife has published a field guide to the amphibians and reptiles of the Delmarva Peninsula. Jim also leads natural history trips to many natural areas in the US and in Central and South America. He is married and has two boys. Click to E-mail

Meet Our Staff Members