For more information contact Jennifer Holmes, Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve, 302-739-3436; or Melanie Rapp, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Join the St. Jones Reserve for an Open House Nov. 6

DOVER (Oct. 29, 2010) – The St. Jones Reserve will host a free Open House and the Delaware Native Plant Society’s 10th Annual Native Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6. The Open House and plant sale will be held rain or shine at the Reserve located at 818 Kitts Hummock Road near Dover.

Held every year on the grounds of the St. Jones Reserve, the Delaware Native Plant Society’s Annual Plant Sale is a much anticipated event that offers beautiful native plants for sale for home landscapes. Native trees, shrubs, and perennial plants, including ferns, cardinal flower, pawpaw, and other difficult-to- find plants, will be available to purchase at exceptionally low prices. For the best selection, buyers are encouraged to arrive early.

According to Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve’s Education Coordinator, Jennifer Holmes, the Reserve will hold its second annual Open House and invite the public to tour the buildings and grounds and enjoy the beauty of autumn in the St. Jones estuary.

 “We are pleased to invite the public to the Open House to explore the St. Jones Reserve.” said Holmes. “We welcome families to join us on guided nature walks, visit our discovery lab and learn about the amazing creatures that inhabit our estuary and view exhibits about the Reserve,” said Holmes.

With activities planned for all ages, visitors can:

- tour the St. Jones Center for Estuarine Studies, a building dedicated to understanding Delaware’s coastal areas, including its research laboratory, exhibits and classrooms;

- discover the wonders of the Reserve by participating in a guided walk

-make wreaths with Diane Crom (Horticultralist with Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs) from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. (Pre-registration for wreath making is required by calling 302-739-3436.)

- watch as real-time weather and wave conditions are reported to the internet from sensors at the Reserve and in the Delaware Bay;

- explore the amazing creatures that live in our estuaries;

- learn about the many ways that you can enjoy getting involved; and

- watch the video about the National Estuarine Research Reserve system and explore estuaries around the country.

"The Delaware Native Plant Society and the St. Jones Reserve share the same goals of protecting and conserving our native plants, and this event is a wonderful opportunity for us to work together to promote stewardship,” said Eric Zuelke, nursery manager for the Delaware Native Plant Society.

Organized in 1998, the Delaware Native Plant Society, a non-profit organization, has a statewide membership and encourages the use of native plants and works to preserve, conserve, restore, and propagate native plants and native plant communities in Delaware.
Plants are grown in the Delaware Native Plant Society’s nursery from locally collected seed, have been donated by members, or have been rescued from sites scheduled for clearing and development. This is one of only a handful of sources for plants collected and grown in the Delmarva region. The sale is the society’s only fundraising event; all proceeds go back into nursery operations. For more information, visit www.delawarenativeplants.org.
 
The Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve (DNERR) was established in 1993 to promote the stewardship and understanding of Delaware’s coastal areas through science and education.  DNERR is a cooperative program between the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Delaware Coastal Programs and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It is one of 28 National Estuarine Research Reserves across the country. For more information, visit http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/swc/coastal/dnerr.

Vol. 40, No. 369