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 Pages Categorized With: "About DNREC"

Office of the Secretary

The DNREC Office of the Secretary provides leadership, overall policy guidance and central administrative services to support the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). Secretary: Gregory Patterson Deputy Secretary: Dayna Cobb
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Secretary Gregory Patterson

Greg Patterson was appointed by Gov. Meyer in January 2025 to lead the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), which protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The Honorable Gregory Patterson Sec. Patterson


Public Meetings and Events

DNREC posts notices of all public meetings on the state’s Public Meeting Calendar on a number of division- and office-specific calendars.


DNREC Calendar: Public Meetings

A calendar of DNREC public hearings, community meetings and workshops and meetings of the various boards, councils, committees and task forces that advise the Department. DNREC public meetings are published on the state Public Meeting Calendar, as required by law, and on the DNREC Calendar of Events.



Monthly Calendar: Public Meetings

A calendar of DNREC Public Hearings, community meetings and workshops and meetings of the various boards, councils, committees and task forces that advise the Department. DNREC public meetings are published on the state Public Meeting Calendar, as required by law, and on the DNREC Calendar of Events.



DNREC Calendar: Education and Outreach

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) hosts education and outreach meetings to help inform the public about issues and opportunities, to provide hunter safety and boating safety training and to introduce related information. This calendar includes DNREC volunteer opportunities. This calendar is presented as a list of upcoming events (below) and


Monthly Calendar: Education and Outreach

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) hosts education and outreach meetings to help inform the public about issues and opportunities, to provide hunter safety and boating safety training and to introduce related information. This calendar includes DNREC volunteer opportunities. This calendar is presented as a month-to-month calendar grid (below) and as


DNREC Calendar: Outdoor Recreation

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) offers outdoor recreation classes and opportunities for children and adventurous adults at its several nature centers, outdoor education centers, the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve and via several educational programs. This calendar is presented as a list of upcoming events (below) and as


Monthly Calendar: Outdoor Recreation

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) offers outdoor recreation classes and opportunities for children and adventurous adults at its several nature centers, outdoor education centers, the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve and via several educational programs. This calendar is presented as a month-to-month calendar grid (below) and as a list of


Work for DNREC!

Join us at the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control! DNREC, an executive state agency, is broadly responsible for protecting the environment and providing outdoor recreational opportunities in our state. Our work includes studying flora and fauna, overseeing our award-winning


DNREC Calendar of Events

A month-to-month calendar of the meetings and events listed on the DNREC Calendar of Events. [eme_calendar full=1 long_events=0 htmltable=0


Young Environmentalist of the Year

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control honors young Delawareans each year who have put their passions into projects that benefit our environment. Young Environmentalist of the Year Award winners are honored in a special ceremony at the Delaware State Fair. The 2024 Young Environmentalists of the Year


DNREC at the Delaware State Fair

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control welcomes Delaware State Fair visitors to DNREC’s climate-controlled building on the fairgrounds at the corner of Holloway Avenue and East Rider Road. The 2025 State Fair runs from July 17 through July 26, 2025. Visitors will learn about the science


Earth Day 2025

Earth Day 2025 is celebrated on April 22. This year’s theme, Our Power, Our Planet, focuses on renewable energy and the need to commit to harnessing renewable energy to build a healthy, sustainable, equitable and prosperous future. At DNREC, Earth Day is What We Do All Year Long The


Be the First to Know

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) is a large agency with multiple divisions overseeing permits and regulations, natural resources assessment and protection, and outdoor recreation opportunities. There’s a lot going on and many opportunities for public participation. Part of the DNREC mission is to engage all stakeholders to


DNREC Regulations

The regulations that govern the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) are published by the Office of the Registrar of Regulations as part of the Delaware Administrative Code. DNREC


Brand and Visual Identity: Vibrant Delaware

For more than 50 years, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has worked to protect, preserve, and enhance Delaware’s environment for current and future generations. The key to DNREC’s efforts is our shared mission. We all must contribute to a shared brand experience, one that educates, engages and inspires others to support


Delaware’s Environmental Permitting Process

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) is an executive state agency with the responsibility to protect both the environment of Delaware and the health of our residents. When certain types of commercial or industrial facilities want to open or change their operations in Delaware, they must obtain a permit (or permits)


Floods: Are You Prepared?

Delaware has the lowest average land elevation in the United States. It is more susceptible to flooding and faces an increased risk from sea level rise. Be prepared. Know your flood risk and how to manage it. With Climate Change, and the uncertainty it brings, the saying “Where


The Croda Atlas Point Plant

Related News

Croda to Restart Ethylene Oxide Plant for Emissions Test, Then Shut Down
What happens at the Croda Atlas Point plant? Croda produces surfactants – short for surface-acting agents – which are used by other manufacturers


Statement from DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin

A statement from DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin opposing the Environmental Protection Agency’s action that rolls back vehicle emission standards.


Delaware Coastal Cleanup

Trash on our beaches and in our waterways isn’t just unsightly – it’s also potentially dangerous to marine life and in some cases harmful to water quality. The annual Delaware Coastal Cleanup offers volunteers an opportunity to help make a difference for Delaware’s shoreline and waterways while joining an international effort to clean up the


Boards, Councils, Committees and Task Forces

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control works with several boards, councils, committee and task forces to help it stay in touch with the public and the regulated community and ensure that Departmental policies and regulations serve the needs of all constituents. The bodies are listed by where they are hosted


DNREC Divisions

The mission statement of Department along with the over-all structure and details on sections within each Division.


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Information for Businesses

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control permits and regulates many business activities. It also offers assistance programs to help business and industry thrive in Delaware. Administrative Law DNREC Regulations Public Hearings Public Notices Secretary’s Orders Assistance and Advice


Outdoor Enthusiasts

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control offers information and programs for hunters, anglers, bird-watchers, campers, bikers, hikers, swimmers and people who like to lie on their backs in the grass and gaze up at the clouds. Choose Your State Park Alapocas Run State Park


Information for Government

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Works with county and local governments to help improve the lives of Delaware residents, and the state’s natural resources. Wetlands, Flooding and Land Use Learn about freshwater wetlands and view wetland maps with the Delaware Wetland Toolbox. Find out which laws and


Information for Homeowners

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has a number of programs for homeowners. The Department regulations onsite wastewater systems and asbestos. It provides grants and homeowner assistance. And it offers guidance on a wide variety of subjects of interest to homeowners. Your Property


Q and A: Croda Ethylene Oxide Release November 25, 2018

Updated: November 13, 2019 Printable (PDF) Version
What happened at the Croda Atlas Point plant? At 4:15 p.m., Sunday, November 25, 2018 ethylene oxide (EO) was accidentally released into the air from Croda’s ethylene oxide plant. Since EO is very soluble in water,


New Employee Orientation

Welcome to the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. We’re glad you are joining us here at DNREC, as we call ourselves. This page will help get you started with us.
… a healthy environment where people embrace a commitment to


Delaware Natural Resources Police 411

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Natural Resources Police offer a smartphone app, Tip411, to give the public an easy way to report environmental crimes and concerns. The Delaware Natural Resources Police (DENRP) Tip411 app also gives Natural Resources Police a tool to share important information with the public. [column


Children in Nature

Delaware Children in Nature has merged into the Delaware Association for Environmental Education (daeeonline.org) which helps to ensure that every citizen in Delaware has the opportunity to become involved in meaningful outdoor experiences.        


DNREC Newsroom

The latest news and information from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.
DNREC Media Contacts Nikki Lavoie Chief Communications Officer Michael Globetti Media Relations Manager 302-739-9902 DNREC on the Delaware News Server  Sign up for the


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You can use your back button to return to the form and try again, or reach out to our staff to see if there’s a larger problem. If


Thank You

Your form has been successfully submitted. We appreciate your help. Where to Next? DNREC Home Page DNREC Contact Information  Topics of Interest


DNREC Digital Newsletter

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) provides e-mail list subscriptions on a variety of subjects.


Your Guide to Nature, Conservation and Fun

Outdoor Delaware, Delaware’s award-winning conservation magazine, is published four times each year and presents stunning photography, detailed feature articles, regular columnists, and more.


DNREC FOIA Requests

FOIA, the Delaware Freedom of Information Act (29 Del. Code, Chapter 100), ensures that the public has “easy access to public records” held by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and other state agencies. This page offers options for making a FOIA request to DNREC.


Doing Business With DNREC Online

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control offers a number of online applications and tools to make it easier to interact with the agency.


Vision, Mission, Values and Priorities

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) envisions a Delaware that offers a healthy environment where people embrace a commitment to the protection, enhancement and enjoyment of the environment in their daily lives; where Delawareans’ stewardship of natural resources ensures the sustainability of these resources for the appreciation and enjoyment of future generations; and where people recognize that a healthy environment and a strong economy support one another.


DNREC Open Data

DNREC has added a number of datasets to the Delaware Open Data Portal and will continue to add data based on agency priorities and public requests.


DNREC Social Media

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) maintains many social media accounts across its varied divisions and offices that provide updates on issues, activities, and volunteer opportunities, among other subjects. Follow the Department (@DelawareDNREC) on several major social media platforms. [button type=”primary”


How Can We Help?

We’re here to help. The people of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) provide information and assistance across a wide spectrum of topics and for specific needs. You can get immediate help with environmental issues, search for contacts by subject, or find contact information by Division and program.





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