How to Find and Attend Events and Programs at Delaware Nature Society

Delaware Nature Society (DNS) lists upcoming events directly on its homepage under Upcoming Events, with each entry showing the activity, location, cost, and age range. To attend, open the event's Learn More link for full details and registration, or use View More to browse the complete calendar. This works for anyone looking for a specific outing, though you should check the site's Notice section first, since storm damage or maintenance can close individual facilities while trails stay open.

Where to Find Events

The homepage's Upcoming Events section is the starting point. It shows a short list of current programs, and View More opens the full events calendar. Each listing includes:

• Event name — for example, Bird Banding, Hawk Watch, or Knee High Naturalists
• Location — such as Bucktoe Creek Preserve, Ashland Nature Center, or Abbott's Mill Nature Center
• Cost — some programs are marked Free, others show a price
• Age range — listed alongside the program, such as ages 8–99 or ages 2–5
• Learn More — the link to the event's detail page

Examples from the Current Listings

These three show the range you can expect: a free citizen-science program, a free drop-in-style watch event, and a paid, age-targeted program for young children with a caregiver.

Step-by-Step: From Listing to Attending

1. Scan the Upcoming Events section on the homepage for a program that matches your interests, location, and schedule.
2. Check the cost and age range in the listing. Free events still require you to confirm details; paid events like Knee High Naturalists list the fee ($15.00 in the example above).
3. Click Learn More to open the event page. This is where you get the full description, meeting instructions, and any registration requirement.
4. Note the conditions. Bird Banding, for instance, is described as free but does not take place in windy or wet conditions — so confirm before traveling.
5. Check the Notice banner before you go. Closures are posted there, such as the Nature Nook, pollinator garden, and butterfly habitat at Ashland Nature Center being closed due to storm damage, or the DuPont Environmental Education Center closing for maintenance. Trails may remain open during normal hours even when buildings are closed.
6. Register or subscribe for updates if the event requires it. The site offers a Subscribe option under Get Involved to receive event and conservation updates by email.

Practical Points to Confirm Before You Go

• Weather-dependent programs: Bird Banding is cancelled in windy or wet conditions. If your event is outdoors, check the event page and the Notice section the day you plan to attend.
• Facility vs. trail access: A closed building does not always mean closed grounds. The Ashland notice specifies that trails remain open during normal hours while certain exhibits are closed.
• Visitor center hours can change day to day. The notice format shows specific dates (for example, lobby open one day, closed the next, normal hours resuming on a stated day), so verify the current notice rather than assuming standard hours.
• Age limits are stated per program. Hawk Watch lists ages 8–99; Knee High Naturalists is for ages 2–5. Bring the right participants for the listed range.

Beyond Single Events

If you want ongoing involvement rather than a one-time program, the Get Involved section offers ways to visit preserves, donate, become a member, or volunteer. The What We Do area describes the organization's three focus areas — education, conservation, and advocacy — each with its own Learn More link if you want to understand what your participation supports.