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 Pages Categorized With: "DFW Outreach"

Fly Fishing Lessons

Anglers aged 16 and older can learn about, and gain skills in, the increasingly popular sport of fly-fishing by attending free fly-fishing lessons for adults at the DNREC Aquatic Resources Education Center in Smyrna.
The 2024 fly-fishing class is set for Sept. 21 and 28, 2024, from 9


Aquatic Resources Education Center

The Aquatic Resources Education Center, operated by the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife, focuses on wetlands, fishing and other aquatic education themes.

Contact Us

Mary Rivera Aquatic Resources Education Center 2520 Lighthouse Road Smyrna, DE 19977 302-735-8666



Youth Fishing Programs

The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife offers free fishing lessons, aquatic adventures and explorations of the Delaware Bay for children and young teens. Once they are hooked on fishing, they can try one of Delaware’s kid-friendly fishing ponds for a great day at the water’s edge. Kids


Educational Programs for Grades K Through 12

The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife operates two educational centers that provide free programs and resources to schools and other educational groups. The Aquatic Resources Education Center (AREC) and DuPont Nature Center (DNC) offer a variety of programming focused on aquatic species and other environmental education topics, from microorganisms found in


2021 AREC Photo Contest Gallery

This page contains photographs submitted for the first annual Aquatic Resources Education Center (AREC) nature photography contest in 2021, including the winning submissions. The contest was open to photographers of all ages. Prizes were awarded in three categories (birds, nature, and people enjoying nature) and in three age groups (children, teens and adults). All


2022 AREC Photo Contest Gallery

This page contains photographs submitted for the 2022 Aquatic Resources Education Center (AREC) nature photography contest. All photos were taken in the Woodland Beach Wildlife Area. The contest was open to photographers of all ages through Sep. 29, 2022. In the Nature category, the winner was “Windy Morning Waves,” by Tracy Thompkins,


AREC Nature Photo Contest

DNREC’s Aquatic Resources Education Center (AREC) nature photography contest is now open for submissions from photographers and nature lovers. All entries must be photos taken in the Tony Florio Woodland Beach Wildlife Area.

Contact Us

Pearlie Franklin Aquatic Resources


Nature Photo Contest Entry and Release Form

This page includes the Official Rules and an online Entry and Release Form for the DNREC Aquatic Resources Education Center Nature Photography contest. Official Rules Deadline for Entry The photo submission and the completed Entry and Release Form(s) must be submitted by Thursday, Sept. 29, 2023 at 4 p.m.


Horseshoe Crabs, Shorebirds and the Delaware Bay

You can witness the amazing annual convergence of spawning horseshoe crabs and migratory shorebirds along the Delaware Bayshore every spring. DNREC’s DuPont Nature Center at Mispillion Harbor is one of the best places to observe this wonder of nature. The Horseshoe Crabs
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Eco-Explorers Virtual Field Trip Registration

This form is for teachers and homeschool groups to register for an Eco-Explorers virtual field trip with the Aquatic Resources Education Center. There is no charge for the field trip but please register if you plan to use the virtual field trip material. This will help us provide additional programs in the future.


Virtual Eco-Explorers Field Trip Program

The Aquatic Resources Education Center offers a virtual version of the Eco-Explorers field trip program. The resources of the virtual field trip are useful for students or school groups unable to attend traditional, in-person field trips and as supplementary and review material for in-person field trip participants.



Eco-Explorers Field Trips

Eco-Explorers is a free field trip program designed for fifth grade students in Delaware. Participants visit the Aquatic Resources Education Center (AREC), where they experience and explore connections between plants and animals within a tidal salt marsh ecosystem.

Contact Us

Mary Rivera Aquatic


Horseshoe Crab Education Resources for Teachers

Each spring during May and June, the ancient, amazing and globally significant ritual of horseshoe crab spawning and mass shorebird migration brings visitors from around the world to our Delaware Bayshore backyards. The Division of Fish and Wildlife offers a variety of resources to support teachers who are educating about this phenomenon. [column md=”5″


DuPont Nature Center

DNREC’s DuPont Nature Center is located in the beautiful Mispillion Harbor, part of the Milford Neck Nature Preserve, where the Mispillion River and Cedar Creek meet and flow out into the Delaware Bay. It is a science-based educational and interpretive facility with interactive exhibits designed to connect people with the Delaware Bay’s natural history and


Do Something Wild

Volunteer with the Division of Fish and Wildlife! The Division offers a variety of volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups, part of a larger, Department-wide network of volunteer opportunities.
Aquatic Resources Education Center


Delaware Trout Stamp Contest Rules

The next Delaware Trout Stamp Art Contest will take place during the week of Aug. 19, 2024 when judges will review the artwork. Contest Rules Summary Here are the basics. Please see the 2024 Stamp Art Contest Artist Agreement and Contest Entry Form for a full set of the


Delaware’s Trout Stamp Program

The DNREC Freshwater Trout Program is supported by funds derived from the state’s trout stamp program. Anglers fishing for trout have been required to purchase a Delaware Trout Stamp since 1955. Today, fees paid by anglers for trout stamps provide DNREC with an average of $50,000 annually to purchase trout from commercial hatcheries. Stamp revenues


Winning Waterfowl Stamp Contest Entries

The winning entries for the 2024/2025 edition of the Delaware State Waterfowl Stamp Contest were chosen by a panel of five judges who independently evaluated and scored the contest entries in person.  A painting of a redhead duck in open water by Jeffrey Klinefelter of Etna Greene, Indiana, will grace the 2024/2025 Delaware


Delaware Waterfowl Stamp Contest Rules

The Delaware Waterfowl Stamp Art Contest will take place during the week of August 19, 2024 when judges will review the artwork. Contest Rules Summary Here are the basics. Please see the 2024 Stamp Art Contest Artist Agreement and Contest Entry Form for a full set of the


Winning Trout Stamp Contest Entries

The winning entries for the 2024 edition of the Delaware Trout Stamp Contest were chosen by a panel of five judges who independently evaluated and scored the contest entries in person. The 2024 Delaware Trout Stamp will feature a painting of a rainbow trout by Trevor Dumaw of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Mr. Dumaw received $250


Delaware Hunting and Fishing Photo Contests

The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife has suspended its annual fishing and hunting photography contests for 2024. Please check back in the future for other photo contest


Delaware’s Waterfowl Stamp Program

DNREC’s Delaware Waterfowl Stamp Program helps raise funds for waterfowl conservation. Hunters and stamp collectors buy stamps and prints. The money raised is used to restore and improve wetland habitat vital for migratory waterfowl. DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife began the program in 1980, in partnership with Delaware Ducks Unlimited. The program has generated


DuPont Nature Center Events

The DuPont Nature Center offers educational programs and events from April through September. They include field excursions, lectures and hands-on activities. The DuPont Nature Center is located at the end of Lighthouse Road, at the mouth of the Mispillion River, on the Delaware Bay. For more information, call 302-422-1329. [eme_calendar full=true


Education and Outreach

The Division of Fish and Wildlife offers a variety of educational and outreach programs, including programs designed specifically for school groups in grades K through 12. Education Facilities DuPont Nature Center at the Mispillion Harbor Reserve Aquatic Resource Education Center





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