DSA 2026 Meeting - June 24-28 in Hot Springs, North Carolina
Schedule of Events
Friday 6/26: Reception and Keynote Presentation
On Friday night, we’ll gather at Chestnut Hall in downtown Hot Springs to swap stories from our field trips, enjoy some refreshing local beverages and snacks starting at 6pm, and take in the keynote presentation at 7pm. Ed Lam, author of Dragonflies of North America, published by Princeton University Press (2025), has set a new standard for North American dragonfly field guides with this remarkable book. Wheelchair access at the venue.
Saturday 6/27: DSA Organization Meeting, afternoon Workshops and Presentations
The Dragonfly Society of the Americas will have its annual business meeting Saturday at 8:30am at the Laurel Community Center, 4100 NC-212, Marshall, NC 28753. Conference check-in will begin at 7:30am. After the business meeting we will have workshops and presentations at the same location. This is also an excellent spot for some nymph catching, as the Laurel Community Center sits beside Shelton Laurel Creek, a biologically exceptional mountain stream system. It is home to a number of rare odonates including Harpoon Clubtails, Maine Snaketails, and Mountain River Cruisers. Wheelchair access at the community center.
Genomics Lab and Workshop: Gray Petaltail (Tachopteryx thoreyi). 6/22-6/28
The Dragonfly Society of the Americas is hosting an immersive DNA Extraction and Analysis workshop at the DSA Conference . Over the course of an intensive week, students will collect dragonflies in the field, extract DNA and perform hands-on lab work, analyzing data and preparing results. Participants will gain real-world experience in evolutionary biology, contributing meaningful data to ongoing research efforts.
This free opportunity is open to high-school and undergraduate students, with boarding and meals included. Previous student-generated research has been published in leading scientific journals and featured by The New York Times. Participants will also prepare their findings for presentation at the 2026 Dragonfly Society of the Americas Conference. Join us to conduct authentic research, contribute to species conservation, and take your first step into the world of published science.
Field Trip Info
Wednesday 6/24: Max Patch and Harmon Den
This is a high elevation (4500ft) location with several beaver ponds, a human made pond and wetland and creeks. There are pond damselflies and skimmers at this location, possibly late Snaketails, but the best target at this location is Sable Clubtails which are generally gone by late June but at this location they are usually abundant into July.
Access: This is a moderately high elevation site (4500ft). There is a short hike through brushy terrain with no path to access the creek. The creek is brushy and moving around the area is easiest in the water. There is wheelchair access with a hard surface at a pond where visitors can watch skimmers and damselflies. Netting and collecting is permitted.
Morning Meet-Up: 8:00 to 8:45 a.m. at Broadwing Farm
8:00am We'll gather at Broadwing Farm between 8:00 and 8:45 a.m. There is a pond on the property, so there should be a few dragonflies and damselflies to enjoy while everyone arrives and gets organized for the day.
The drive to our first destination, the pond at Max Patch, is about 45 minutes. We plan to leave Broadwing Farm by 8:45 a.m. If you prefer to drive directly to Max Patch rather than caravan with the group, we will likely arrive around 9:30 a.m., give or take a few minutes.
Feel free to bring coffee and pastries. There is a nice porch where we can relax, visit, and discuss plans for the day. You're welcome to arrive a little early to enjoy the morning, look around the farm, and talk with others before we head out.
First Destination: Max Patch Pond
9:45am This small impoundment supports an unusual assortment of odonates due to its higher-than-usual elevation. Accessibility is better here than at our second destination, so some participants may choose to spend more time exploring this site. We will plan to move on to Harmon Den later in the morning.
Second Destination: Harmon Den
11:30am Harmon Den has a picnic area that would make a good place to regroup for lunch around 12:30 to 1:00 p.m. There is also the opportunity to observe lotic dragonflies in the vicinity of the picnic area. Beyond that, the site includes some walking through brushy fields, which may not be suitable for everyone. If you are hoping to find Sable Clubtails, this is the place to look
12:30pm Lunch
Additional Adventures
After Harmen Den, The Pigeon River is just down the hill from Harmon Den. This area was heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene, so it will be interesting to see how the odonate community has responded. Access may have changed since the storm, but there will most likely be a way to reach the river from the entrance and exit ramps nearby.
Thursday 6/25: Paint Creek, Shelton Laurel and the French Broad
On Thursday we can make a morning trip to two locations to track down the elusive Mountain River Cruiser. In the evening we can take in the sunset scenery and watch the Stygian Shadowdragons over the French Broad.
Access: Low elevation. All the locations involved in these trips are essentially roadside. Wheelchair access with a hard surface is available at some locations. Netting and collecting is permitted.
8:00am, Morning Meet-Up: 8:00 to 8:45 a.m. at Broadwing Farm.
We'll gather at Broadwing Farm between 8:00 and 8:45 a.m. We can enjoy dragonflies around the pond and talk about the plans for the day while we wait for the stragglers. Then it’s off to Paint Creek. Cell phone coverage is notoriously bad at today's destinations.
9:00am First Destination: Paint Creek
It’s a 15 minute drive to Paint Creek from Broadwing Farm. It’s a beautiful drive along the French Broad River. We will likely see some dragonflies as we go. It may be necessary to stop and catch one or 2 along the way. The goal at the Paint Creek corridor is M. margaritas. Also flying in that corridor now are Gomphurus, Progomphus, and Dromogomphus. Paint Creek is a long creek corridor with a road following the creek for several miles. There are many stopping points, bridges and an assortment of access points with drive up, wheel chair, and observation decks along this creek. We will maximize our chances by fanning out, and watching the roads as well as the creek and pools. We will have Giff Beaton along to advise us.
12:30pm Lunch It’s a short drive back to the Murray Branch Picnic area. It is a great place for lunch and there are interesting odonates in the neighborhood.
1:30pm, Second Destination: Laurel Community Center
The Laurel Community Center is a public access point on Shelton Laurel Creek, also a place where M. margarita nymphs occur. It’s a 20 minute drive to the Laurel Community Center from Murray Branch, the lunch spot. The access is better in the Paint Creek Corridor so some folks may decide to return there after lunch. Others may decide to cut off and explore the Laurel River Trail (see below: Additional Adventures). The Laurel Community Center is also a great place for nymphs. Nymph hunting with a microscope setup under the pavilion is definitely an option at this location while we’re here. But the real goal is M. margarita.
Afternoon, Additional Adventures: Laurel River Trail
The Laurel River Trail is a long trail following the Laurel River which is a large creek/small river. There are many interesting dragonflies known from this area. Not good access for wheelchairs etc…
7:45pm, Evening Adventure: Stygian Shadowdragons
There is a beautiful overlook along the French Broad River where we can watch the evening activities of the Stygians. It is a peaceful and relaxing spot, offering a wonderful view of the river and the colors of the setting sun.
Friday 6/26: Davis Branch
Davis Branch watershed along the French Broad is a rich, unique watershed with a diversity of wetlands, ponds, river, and marshy meadow habitat.
Target species here include Tiger, Brown, and Twin-spotted Spiketails, Gray Petaltails, Ruby Meadowhawks, and both Swift and Allegheny River Cruisers, which will be cruising the French Broad. Blue-tipped, Dusky, and Blue-ringed Dancers, along with Appalachian and Ebony Jewelwings, are common along the river corridor. An assortment of skimmers, including Great Blue and Painted Skimmers, is also generally present. It is late for Sable, Green-faced, and Mustached Clubtails, but they are well known from the area and we may pick up some stragglers. Rapids Clubtails should still be flying, and Riverine Clubtails may be seen over the river. Special Damselflies from the area include Appalachian Jewelwings, Aurora Damsels and Eastern Red Damsel, and the rarely seen Furtive Forktail.
9:00am The Davis Branch Watershed
The goal for today is to see a wide variety of dragonflies and damselflies across the range of habitats found within the Davis Branch watershed. We will begin at Murray Branch and then explore on foot through a diversity of habitats, including ponds, creeks, fens, and the French Broad River. There is no telling what we might encounter along the way.
Participants are welcome to tailor the outing to their interests and mobility. Some may choose to remain near the road, where dragonfly activity is often excellent and access is easy, while others may venture farther into the watershed to explore additional habitats.
Lunch on the go.
6:00pm, The reception and keynote talk at Chestnut Hall.
The reception and keynote presentation will be held at Chestnut Hall, 70 S. Springs Street in Hot Springs, NC, beginning at 6:00 PM. We will have a keg of local beer, finger foods, and plenty of opportunities to catch up and share stories. And we have the keynote talk from the amazing Ed Lam.
Participants are encouraged to explore Hot Springs and enjoy the local restaurants before the reception. This event was made possible in part through a generous grant from the Madison County Tourism Development Authority, and the Town of Hot Springs welcomes you to support and enjoy its local businesses during your visit.
Saturday 6/27: Shelton Laurel Creek
After the business meeting on Saturday morning there will be an excellent opportunity for nymph hunting in the adjacent creek at the Laurel Community Center. Harpoon Clubtails, Piedmont Clubtails, Zebra and Laura's Clubtails, Allegheny and Mountain River Cruisers are usually on hand, to name a few.
Sunday 6/28: Greene County TN
Sunday might be a good day to chase some odes in Greene County, with Cherokee Clubtails chief on the list. Also, Southern Sprites are in the neighborhood. But there are other opportunities in the area we could turn to instead.
Access: Low elevation. This location is essentially roadside. Wheelchair access with a hard surface is available. Netting and collecting is permitted.
Meeting Registration - LIVE!
Not a Dragonfly Society of the Americas member yet? No problem!
Purchase the non-member meeting registration for the 2026 DSA meeting in Hot Springs, North Carolina. This registration guarantees you entry to all events and field trips. Have fun!
Hey, Dragonfly Society of the Americas member! Thanks for supporting the DSA through your annual society membership. We’re excited to have you join us for the meeting on in Hot Springs, North Carolina!
Want to just attend the Dragonfly Society of the Americas business meeting? This registration is for you. Come catch up with returning and new friends and enjoy great presentations and refreshments.
Abstract submission
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Meeting T-shirt
If you pre-ordered a shirt, they will be available for pickup at the event!
Silent Auction Info
Please indicate on the meeting registration form whether you intend on bringing a silent auction item or not. Thank you!
Genomic Sequencing Workshop - June 22-28
Local Information
Lodging
A locally owned booking agent for vacation rentals: https://www.hsgetaway.com
Things to do
The Hot Springs Tourism Association’s nonprofit website: https://www.hotspringsnc.org
Things to do in Hot Springs: https://www.hotspringsnc.org/things-to-do-in-hot-springs-nc
Madison County Tourism Development Authority’s website: https://visitmadisoncounty.com
A helpful Asheville-based site for regional info: https://www.romanticasheville.com
