50 Years of Protecting and Preserving Delaware’s
Fall of 2014 marked Delaware Nature Society’s
50th Anniversary. In 50 years, we have grown from a
handful of concerned citizens who felt their children did not
understand the natural environment and its principles, to an
organization that engages over 100,000 people annually,
statewide, and has impacted over 1.6 million individuals.
In the 1960s, connecting Delawareans to their natural
environment seemed to be a necessity. Americans began
waking up to the fact that with housing and commercial
construction popping up everywhere, natural spaces
needed stewardship and protection. Access to nature
became an American value. With start-up funds of
$500 donated by the Junior League of Wilmington, a group
of energetic and committed men and women worked to
start a local nature center. “It doesn’t seem like much
now,” says charter volunteer June Peterson, “but, we were
thrilled.” The Junior League was on the lookout for projects
that could benefit from a jump start and then transition
quickly to become self-sustaining.
Incorporation papers were filed on September 28, and by
December, the new non-profit had 41 charter members.
Several factors led to the early growth and viability of a new
environmental organization focused on conservation and
education. “We got the right people behind us,” Peterson
recounts. “Use of land was available to us not only through
generosity, but there were significant tax advantages of
using property for educational purposes.” Critical to success
was the organization’s commitment to hire a director and
create programs that focus on science-based programs
and advocacy. “We take positions based on science,”
says Williams, “This is how we continue to be a respected
voice on environmental issues.”
Before the new nature center was established,
the Junior League commissioned the National Audubon
Society to conduct a feasibility study. The study was led
by League member, and Delaware Nature Society’s first
president, Lynn Williams.
In 1974, Lorraine Fleming, whose graduate work was in
biological sciences education, joined as the first staff member
to focus on land conservation. Lorraine’s work included
coordinating the Natural Areas Study, which identified areas
in Delaware of natural significance. “Our mandate was
primarily ecological communities-based,” recalls Fleming.
“We wanted to encourage families who controlled precious
natural spaces to consider preservation as a long-term
goal.” In 1978, the report became published in a book widely
regarded today, titled: Delaware’s Outstanding Natural Areas
and their Preservation.
In May of 1964, over 100 community leaders representing
about 50 local organizations gathered to review the study
and make plans to turn a vision into an organization.
Since our modest start-up of $500 to now a $3.9 million
statewide non-profit, Delaware Nature Society has
helped to preserved more than 105,000 acres and impacted