New president and board members for DBG

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New president and board members for DBG

Raymond J. Sander was elected president of the Delaware Botanic Gardens at the March meeting of the organization’s board of directors. Susan Ryan, who led the group as president for nearly two years, passed the baton to Sander, who was serving as vice president and manager of the new garden's construction contracts.

"I am proud of our project and the accomplishments we have made over the last two years to get to this point,” said Ryan, owner of Good Earth Market and Organic Farm. “I appreciate the opportunity to have worked with so many talented people. On the eve of breaking ground, with a professional construction management team and most contracts and funds in place, this innovative project is well on its way to accomplishing the first part of its master plan in 2017.”

Sander announced that “a few of our stalwart board members have also justifiably asked to be relieved of their responsibilities. DBG says farewell to two board members who have contributed to many of our recent accomplishments. As treasurer, David Green has taken DBG from managing its finances in a checkbook to a fully automated accounting system managed by a professional accounting firm. He has overseen the CPA firm that has reviewed our financial records for two succeeding cycles.” The new president also noted that Diane Maddex, DBG’s webmaster, editor, and graphic designer, “recreated the DBG web site as an inspirational presentation of our project. Her creativity and long experience in the publishing industry have also been reflected in DBG's publications.”

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Master plan prepared

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Master plan prepared

A master plan presenting a detailed vision for the Delaware Botanic Gardens in Sussex County has been prepared by Robinson Anderson Summers, Inc., noted landscape architects in Wilmington, Delaware. The plan represents the contributions of RAS and the garden’s other team members: Piet Oudolf, an internationally renowned meadow designer; Lake/Flato, an award-winning architecture firm that promotes sustainable buildings; Pennoni Associates, a multidisciplinary engineering firm serving clients worldwide; and Bancroft Construction Company, whose related clients in the Mid-Atlantic region include Longwood Gardens. 

The public is invited to attend the release of the 32-page plan, to be held on March 30 at 6:30 p.m. and hosted by the Delaware Nature Society at its Ashland Nature Center, 3511 Barley Mill Road, Hockessin, DE 19707.  Rodney Robinson, FASLA, LEED AP, and Allan Summers, RLA, LEED AP, key principals of RAS on the project, will provide an illustrated lecture on the garden’s scope and attractions. The event is open to the public without charge. Please Rsvp to DBG Executive Director Sheryl Swed at sherylswed@delawaregardens.org or call 202-262-9856.

To read the complete master plan, click here.

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Dogfish Head to sponsor DBG's Living Outdoor Classroom

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Dogfish Head to sponsor DBG's Living Outdoor Classroom

When the Delaware Botanic Gardens opens, one of its most important features will be a Living Outdoor Classroom. This vital educational tool has moved closer to realization with the support of the Dogfish Head Companies, which has pledged $30,000 to create this learning center in the public garden being built along Pepper Creek. The natural area—centered on a freshwater intermittent wetland—will be named the Dogfish Head Outdoor Classroom.


Designed for visitors of all ages, this educational attraction was included in the garden plan to reconnect educators, children, and adults with nature. Studies show that natural spaces and materials stimulate imagination and spur inventiveness and creativity. Nature-based learning also calms and reduces stress while it promotes exploration and discovery.  


“We are thrilled to be able to contribute to environmental education in our region through this outdoor classroom,” said Mariah Calagione of Dogfish Head, the brewery and distillery in Milton that has brought national recognition to Delaware. “Motivating people to go outside more has become so important in our internet age. This feature of the garden will expand the area’s opportunities for learning about nature.”

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The Delaware Botanic Gardens launches phase one

/ Delaware Botanic Gardens/
The Delaware Botanic Gardens launches phase one

Governor Jack Markell and First Lady Carla Markell led a delegation of notable Delawareans to launch the first phase of the Delaware Botanic Gardens on December 1. More than 175 enthusiastic supporters turned out at the site along Pepper Creek to tour and show their support for this first public garden in southern Delmarva.

“I’m so impressed with what you’ve done here,” said Governor Markell, who called the garden’s initial development over the past four years “an awesome job.” As he told the garden leaders—including President Susan Ryan, Executive Director Sheryl Swed, and Vice President Ray Sander—“You had a very compelling vision.”

Markell also called his wife, Carla, “a great cheerleader” in her role as chair of the DBG Advisory Council. Among her contributions to the project was persuading the noted landscape architect Rodney Robinson of Robinson Anderson Summers in Wilmington to take the lead in refining the garden's original site plan and in creating its master plan.

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Delaware Botanic Gardens goes over the top

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The Delaware Botanic Gardens has leveraged a $750,000 grant from the Longwood Foundation into $1.25 million to help it open Delmarva’s first botanical garden. The foundation challenged the nonprofit organization to raise a 2-to-1 match for a $250,000 portion of the grant. The garden went over the top of the challenge, amassing some $560,000 in less than a year, exceeding the goal by $60,000.

“To add to our achievement,” responded DBG President Susan Ryan, “we reached this amazing level with six months to spare.” When the Longwood Foundation, based in Wilmington, announced its award in November 2015, it set a deadline of March 25, 2017, for the garden to reach the matching requirement. “For this feat, heartfelt thanks are due our dedicated business and individual supporters, members, and volunteers,” added Ryan.

Well over half of the fundraising total was raised from pledges and pledge payments to support development of the garden. Another large portion represents grants from the Welfare Foundation ($75,000) and the Marmot Foundation ($40,000). The remainder originated in other donations, memberships, and event income.

The annual Good Earth Market Farm Dinner, held this year on September 15, brought in about $50,000. A challenge made at the dinner from Chuck Coltman of Bethany Beach, president of the Coltman Family Foundation, raised $31,000, including his $10,000 challenge. Sponsorships, ticket sales, and a silent auction increased the evening’s total.

Presenting sponsors for the farm dinner were Bancroft Construction Company, Banks Wines & Spirits, the meadow designer Piet Oudolf, Pennoni Associates, Robinson Anderson Summers, and SoDel Concepts. Other key sponsors were Coastal Tented Events, Good Earth Market and Organic Farm, and the Sussex County Land Trust. In all, 43 individuals and businesses served as sponsors for this popular local event.

“We are indeed over the top at this great accomplishment,” said Raymond J. Sander, DBG vice president and chair of its capital campaign committee. “These funds move us much closer to opening the garden gates. But beyond that, this phenomenal support shows how much people and organizations across Delmarva understand what a great addition this garden will be to our region and how much it’s needed.”

Other members of the DBG Capital Campaign Leadership Committee are Susan Ryan, David Green, Kathy Green, Sheryl Swed, Gregg Tepper, and Cam Yorkston.

Over the top! With six months to spare.

Over the top! With six months to spare.

DeWitt and Riska named to Advisory Council

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DeWitt and Riska named to Advisory Council

The Delaware Botanic Gardens has added two new members to its Advisory Council, Henry DeWitt and Michael E. Riska.  The additions bring to fourteen the number of professionals who provide their expertise to further development of Delmarva’s first botanical garden. Delaware First Lady Carla Markell serves as chair of the Advisory Council.

The new members bring long service to the environmental community as well as nonprofit and financial management experience.


Henry DeWitt, of Henlopen Acres outside Rehoboth Beach, founded DeWitt & Associates, a company whose software is used by NASA ground networks to control satellites. In addition to currently consulting with NASA, he is a former commissioner of Rehoboth Beach who now serves on the Henlopen Acres Tree Committee. DeWitt is also a member of the Rehoboth Art League finance committee and is a former chair of its audit committee.

Michael E. Riska, of Hockessin, was awarded the Nature Conservancy’s Lifetime Conservation Achievement Award in 1997. He retired in 2011 as executive director of the Delaware Nature Society, where he had served since 1984, including directing its education programs. The Delaware Nature Society works to improve the environment through conservation, advocacy, and education.

As Carla Markell, Advisory Council chair, notes, “The Delaware Botanic Gardens is fortunate to gain the wisdom of these talented people. I’ve had the pleasure of working directly with Mike Riska as cochairs of the Ambassadors Group for Children in Nature/No Child Left Inside. Both he and Henry DeWitt are environmental leaders and hands-on gardeners who will only enrich the programs of this exciting new garden in our state.”

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Delaware Botanic Gardens adds two new board members

/ Delaware Botanic Gardens/
Delaware Botanic Gardens adds two new board members

The Delaware Botanic Gardens board of directors has elected two new members, Ruth Rogers Clausen and Janet Meenehan Point.  The additions bring to ten the number of board members, who are working to open the garden along Pepper Creek in Dagsboro. An Advisory Council adds a dozen professionals to the project’s expertise....

As Susan Ryan, president of the Delaware Botanic Gardens, noted, “These individuals bring both a depth of gardening expertise and important managerial and marketing know-how.”

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Longwood Foundation awards $750,000 to the garden

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Longwood Foundation awards $750,000 to the garden

The Longwood Foundation has approved a $750,000 grant to the Delaware Botanic Gardens to help it begin work on Phase One of the garden, located on Pepper Creek near Dagsboro, Delaware. The grant will be provided in two components: an immediate grant of $500,000 plus the remaining $250,000 when the garden has raised an additional $500,000 in cash or pledges. This two-for-one challenge expires March 25, 2017. 

"On behalf of my dedicated Board, our outstanding Advisory Council, and our hundreds of loyal members and supporters, we are humbled and honored by this Longwood Foundation Leadership Grant,” said Susan Ryan, president of the Delaware Botanic Gardens. 

"The next eighteen months will be our greatest challenge,” she continued. “We must start and complete the construction of Phase One of the garden. We must raise an additional $500,000 by March 2017 to qualify for the $250,000 challenge grant. We must begin the Piet Oudolf Meadow Gardens. And we must continue to attract members and donors to help fulfill our plans to open this inspiring garden." 

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Delaware Botanic Gardens attracts a "rock star" for its meadow

/ Delaware Botanic Gardens/
Delaware Botanic Gardens attracts a "rock star" for its meadow

Piet Oudolf—considered the finest designer of naturalistic meadows in the world today—is preparing a proposal to create one of his famous meadow designs for the forthcoming Delaware Botanic Gardens at Pepper Creek. “This would be an incredible asset for our community and all of Delmarva,” said Susan Ryan, DBG’s president. “A lush, colorful meadow like those he has created around the world would attract visitors from all over the country to southern Delaware and to our garden.”

Oudolf, who achieved international acclaim for his elevated garden along the High Line in New York City, visited the Delaware garden site on October 18 and 19 to familiarize himself with the 37-acre property. The site plan calls for a large meadow near the Woodland Gardens. At the property, he walked the uplands, the paths through the woodland, and down to the wetlands-buffered waterfront on Pepper Creek, which flows into Indian River Bay. Noted horticulturists on the DBG board and advisory council joined him to discuss the site’s possibilities.

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What the professionals are saying

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What the professionals are saying

Professor Douglas W. Tallamy, University of Delaware:

“I have learned over the years that the general public considers the plants in our landscapes only in terms of their decorative value, with no idea about their role in delivering essential ecosystem services. … Although they find the natural world interesting, people do not really believe it is necessary for their well-being. These are all issues that will be addressed year in and year out by the establishment of a coastal plain botanic garden in Delaware."

Holly H. Shimizu, Director Emerita, United States Botanical Garden

“When I walked the site I became really excited about the possibilities for the botanic garden. There are extraordinary native plants on the site in a variety of habitats. Being right on the water, it offers excellent opportunities for learning about the coastal plain environments, the native Delaware ecosystems,  and provides a place to appreciate the Delaware Inland Bays.   

With a focus on native plants, I envision this as a place for many of the school children to come and learn about the natural history of the region, to be exposed to the magic of gardens, the richness of plant-animal interactions, and the importance of the natural world."

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