The 2003 Dragonfly Society of the Americas Northeast Regional Meeting will be held in Marietta, Ohio from May 23 to May 25, 2003.

Marietta is at the confluence of the Ohio and Muskingum Rivers and is directly across from West Virginia. Collecting locales include sites on the Muskingum River (home to large beds of endangered mussels) and the Little Muskingum River. Both rivers are dependable sites for Macromia, which is actually easy to catch in the limited confines of the Little Muskingum River. It might be a bit early for Macromia, but other May catches include Basiaeschna janata, Gomphus exilis and quadricolor, and Tetragoneuria cynosura (or whatever Nick is calling it this week). In addition to these sites, there are 3 lentic sites lined up for collections, as well as numerous smaller streams tributary to the Little Muskingum within the Wayne National Forest. Collecting permits are not required for Odonata in Ohio unless one is collecting on protected lands such as state parks; we will make arrangements for such permits. We are also hoping to make arrangements with the USFWS for transportation to the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge; several of the islands are adjacent to Marietta. Meeting and lab space will be available at Marietta College. There are many lodging possibilities ranging from typical chain motels near Interstate 77 to the Historic Lafayette Hotel located right at the confluence. Camping is available at private campgrounds and sites maintained by the Forest Service. When not collecting, Marietta is home to a number of antique stores (including one that specializes in tools) and museums. Across the river, Fenton Art Glass is located in Willamstown, WV (and they will be having a sidewalk sale that weekend). There are numerous restaurants, including one on a paddlewheel showboat moored in the Muskingum River. A website will be set up with meeting info, watch www.marietta.edu/~odonata/meeting/nedsa.html (this page) or contact Dave McShaffrey ( Click here to send email.) for details as they develop.