Dagsboro, DE. Delaware Botanic Gardens at Pepper Creek (DBG) kicks off its 2026 Educational Pavilion Lecture Series with a talk by William A. “Bill” McAvoy, retired Delaware State Botanist on Thursday, April 16th at 5:30 p.m. His lecture is about “Delaware’s Coastal Plain, habitats, plant communities and flora.” Bill is a native Delawarean, who served as State Botanist for over 35-years, and is an expert on Delaware and Delmarva flora and rare plants. He received a BS in Botany with an emphasis on vegetation management from Delaware State University. He is the primary author of online Delaware flora. Go to www.delawaregardens.org to purchase lecture tickets, which are $15 for DBG members and $20 for non-members.

Ray Sander, DBG Chair said, “Bill is an insightful conservationist. He inspires us to better understand the importance of native plants, and protection of habitats and flora. He will call us to action to preserve and maintain natural habitats which also serve wildlife.”

Bill McAvoy said. “The flora. habitats and plant communities of Delaware’s Coastal Plain province are quite diverse, and fascinating ecologically. My presentation will describe many of these habitats, along with their associated flora, and tie in how the Delaware Botanic Gardens is helping to educate the public on these important natural resources and their great need for conservation.”

Sheryl Swed. DBG Executive Director said, “Bill is a conservation champion. As State Botanist, and former DBG Board Member, he has been involved with DBG since 2014, when he participated in a revision to the original site plan that resulted in the current visitor-friendly gardens. He did an initial inventory of the 12-acre woodlands, helped site the Learning Gardens’ Outdoor Classroom, and encouraged DBG to build the Inland Dunes Garden. Bill is an educator who was the driving force to encourage DBG volunteers to participate in the University of Delaware’ Master Naturalist Program. Come join us to learn together from Bill.”

Delaware Botanic Gardens at 30220 Piney Neck Road, Dagsboro, DE 19939 is open to the public Thursdays through Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.