Dagsboro, DE – September 24, 2026 – The Delaware Botanic Gardens at Pepper Creek (DBG) installed a new Leadership team during its Annual Dinner on September 24. The new Co-Chairs of the Board of Directors are Mark Chura of Lewes, and Carol Zonko of Fenwick Island. The new DBG Executive Director is Mark Carter of Milton.
Mark Chura is co-owner of the Brush Factory in Lewes, and a well-known Sussex County conservationist. He was Executive Director of Sussex County Land Trust in 2014, when the Delaware Botanic Gardens leased 37-acres of farmland from the Land Trust for 100-years at $ 1, with two 100-year extensions. He also participated in the original DBG’ Master Planning sessions. The DBG site includes 12- acres of woodlands with 1,000 feet of Pepper Creek shoreline.
Chura said, “It’s an honor to be Co-Chair of DBG’s Board of Directors and support our volunteers and staff as we move forward into the next decade of growth. We are armed with a new Strategic Plan to guide us. We invite all to come visit this special Botanic Garden, featuring the Piet Oudolf Meadow, and the natural beauty of Sussex County.”
Carol Zonko retired from W.L. Gore and Associates, Newark, DE. Her background is in Human Resources, and specializing in Benefits and Payroll. She is a Founding DBG member. She has served in various positions over the past decade including Garden Steward, Director of Volunteers, Director of Tours and guide, Human Resources Advisor, Board Vice President and Board Vice Chair. An avid gardener, she is a member and past President of the Barefoot Gardeners Club in Fenwick Island, DE. She is also a Life Member of the Delaware Federation of Garden Clubs.
Zonko said, “I am incredibly proud and humbled to have been selected by DBG’s Board of Directors to be Co-Chair of the gardens. I look forward to continuing working with our Board, amazing staff and volunteers, as we continue our progress for our future. There are a lot of wonderful opportunities ahead for our beautiful Botanic Gardens. We’d love for you to come and visit.”
Mark Carter is well known in Sussex County as an active community leader. He became involved in supporting DBG in 2018, when he was head of Benevolence & Benevolence Outreach at Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, which was the first local business sponsor of the DBG’s Learning Garden. He then worked as Development Director at the Delaware Center for Inland Bays, before joining the DBG staff as Deputy Executive Director, Chief operating Officer in 2025. He assumed the Executive Director role at DBG on September 24.
Carter said, “I am excited to work with DBG’s small but highly capable team to help the gardens begin their next chapter. There is still much to create as DBG strives to become more fully integrated into the communities of Sussex County. This place is truly a special place of nature in Delaware. If you have not yet visited the gardens, please come. We are open until December 5 and would love to see you.”
The new DBG leadership team took office after the retirement of Ray Sander, former Chair of the DBG Board and Sheryl Swed, former DBG Executive Director, who had led the gardens for over a decade. Both Sander and Swed were presented with the honorary DBG titles of Founder Emeritus.
Delaware Botanic Gardens is located at 30220 Piney Neck Road, Dagsboro, DE 19939. Open Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. – sunset. Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays 9;00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
For more information, go to www.delawaregardens.org
