The Delaware Native Plant Society hosts events as the opportunities arise. Our field trips have become member-driven events. Events will be advertised through our email list. We will normally advertise them as a To Be Announced affair, then will add details later when we firm up plans. If you would like to lead a field trip, or something similar, please contact us.
The DNPS likes to schedule at least 2 or 3 field trips each year, but we have changed our format for doing these, and they are now member-driven events. Past field trips have gone to the botanically rich Trap Pond, the floristicaly varied Cape Henlopen State Park, and vegetatively unique pine barrens in New Jersey. We also like to do kayak/canoe trips as they are always a great way to see sections of habitat that one can’t normally get to on foot.
If you have any suggestions for a field trip, or would like to lead one, please contact us. We are always looking for knowledgeable leaders and interesting places.
Each year the DNPS hosts a symposium in the autumn. Past symposiums have focused on collecting and germinating native plant seeds, the biology and ecology of orchids, palynology, and the biology and ecology of the Ericacae family.
Each seminar is led by an expert in the field who gives a slideshow/PowerPoint presentation. Then we typically have a question and answer segment, then a buffet/potluck type lunch, followed by a field trip.
2025 Annual Symposium
The topic for this year was Submerged Aquatic Vegetation, and we had two excellent presentations.
Our first presenter was Brittany Haywood. She is a Coastal Ecology Specialist with Delaware Sea Grant at the University of Delaware and co-Leader of the Delaware Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) Workgroup. Whether restoring vital underwater habitats, tackling marine debris, or leading community science initiatives, she works to connect people with the coastal environment in meaningful ways. With over 15 years of experience in habitat restoration, project management, education, and outreach, Brittany specializes in SAV research, restoration, and monitoring across both freshwater and marine ecosystems. She also brings expertise in GIS, tidal and non-tidal wetlands, water quality, and drainage, having worked across state and university sectors to bridge science with real-world conservation efforts.
You can watch her presentation here: Overview of SAV in Delaware
Our keynote speaker was Edna Stetzar. She is a is a Program Manager with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Division of Fish and Wildlife, where she oversees freshwater and diadromous species projects along with associated staff. She holds a master’s degree in biology from Delaware State University and a bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources from The Ohio State University.
Since joining DFW in 1992, Edna has contributed to a wide range of research projects and serves as a technical resource for pond owners on issues related to aquatic vegetation, water quality, fish populations, and habitat management. A strong advocate for aquatic habitat conservation, she actively participates in several state and regional work groups focused on fish habitat and fish passage and represents Delaware on the Northeast Fisheries Administrators Association.
You can watch her presentation here: Ecological importance of SAV in Delaware, and species highlights
