Wings Over the Water: A Dragonfly & Damselfly Workshop

Did you know that Sussex County, NJ has more dragonfly and damselfly species than any other county in the US? In fact, we have more “Odonata” in Sussex County than the entire state of California!

Spend a day alongside the ponds, streams, and wetlands of Stokes State Forest as you discover the remarkable world of dragonflies and damselflies — some of the most ancient and acrobatic insects on the planet. New Jersey is home to over 170 species of these stunning fliers, and this hands-on workshop gives you the tools and knowledge to find, identify, and appreciate them.

Led by experienced naturalists and odonate enthusiasts, Bruce Taterka and Tanya Sulikowski, the day blends classroom learning with time in the field. You’ll learn to identify and photograph dragonflies in lake, stream and meadow habitats. Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned naturalist looking to sharpen your skills, this workshop offers something for everyone.

Schedule for the Day

12:00p- Welcome & Orientation (Nature Center Classroom)

• Introductions and overview of the day
• Brief orientation to NJSOC grounds and habitats
• Safety briefing and field ethics

12:15-12:45pm Dragonfly Biology & Ecology (Nature Center Classroom )

• Dragonfly and damselfly morphology and behavior
• Life cycle: aquatic nymphs → aerial adults
• Predator–prey relationships and ecological roles
• Importance of habitat
• Distribution of the Pocket Guide to Dragonflies of the NJSOC and overview of New Jersey’s odonate richness

12:45-1:15pm Introduction to iNaturalist & MacroBlitz (Lab Classroom)

• Brief introduction (15 minutes) for participants to download the app and learn the basics of uploading observations
• Outdoor practice with iNaturalist around Lake Wapalanne

1:15-2:15pm Macroinvertebrate Sampling (Flatbrook River)

• Safety and ethics briefing
• Kick nets and rock-flipping
• ID keys, field guides, iNaturalist
• Photographing specimens
• Biotic index

2:30pm – 3:15pm: Odonata Exploration (Lake Wapalanne)

• Exploring the shoreline and emergent vegetation

3:15pm – 4:00pm: Odonata Exploration (Flatbrook River)

• Exploring the stream and adjacent riparian areas

4:00pm – 4:15pm: Wrap-up and Debrief

• Reflection on the importance of odes the insect community, and the impacts of habitat degradation
• Brainstorming conservation efforts and teaching and outreach strategies