About us
The Northeast Chapter of the Dragonfly Society of the Americas first gathered in 1990 in Westchester, New York. The chapter has met more or less annually since then in a different location every year, from New Brunswick west to Lake Superior, south to the DelMarVa Peninsula, and north to Chapleau, Ontario near the edge of the Arctic watershed. Our mission is to add to knowledge of Odonata, whether by investigating new places, contributing new data to update ongoing projects, or by hosting presentations by researchers studying dragonflies or damselflies.
In 2008 NEDSA hosted the first-ever NymphFest in Athol, MA, highlighting odonates’ aquatic larval stages rather than the winged adults. This was successful enough to inspire a sequel in 2016. The third, scheduled for 2020 in Ithaca NY but postponed by COVID-19 and will be rescheduled soon.
In its early years our group was called ‘the Northeastern Odonata Collectors’ Meeting'. Netting is still encouraged during NEDSA meetings, as some odonate species can only be identified in the hand. Non-collecting watchers and photographers are also welcome, and in recent years cameras and binoculars have outnumbered nets at our gatherings.
Join our Facebook group to be informed of upcoming NEDSA activities!
© Marla Garrison
NESDA Meetings Through Time
2025: Athol, MA
2020: *cancelled* NymphFest, Ithaca, NY
2019: Springfield, VT
2018: Ludlow, MA
2017: Lancaster VT
2016: NymphFest in Bennington, VT
2015: joint DSA-NEDSA meeting, State College, PA
2014: Binghamton, NY
2013: Griswold, CT
2012: Sault-Ste Marie, Ontario
2011: DelMarVa Peninsula, DE
2010: Orono/Bangor, ME
2009: Salem, NH
2008: NymphFest in Athol, MA
2007: Newton, NJ
2006: White Mountains, NH
2005: State College, PA
2004: Hartford, VT
2003: Marietta, OH
2002: Tug Hill Plateau, NY
2001: Williamstown, NJ
2000: Sterling Forest, NY
1999: joint DSA-NEDSA meeting in the Adirondacks, NY
1998: Fryeburg, ME
1997: Castleton, VT
1996: joint DSA-NEDSA meeting at St. Stephen, New Brunswick
1995: Lac Jean-Venne, Quebec
1994: Delaware River, NJ
1993: Adirondacks, NY
1992: Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, MD ("Northeastern Odonata Collectors' Meeting”)
1991: Pakim Pond, NJ
1990: Westchester, NY
