Pages Categorized With: "Fish and Wildlife"
Statewide Conservation Actions
In the process of identifying conservation actions for SGCN and their habitats, recurring patterns and priorities emerged that cross between taxonomic and ecological boundaries. These more general, statewide conservation actions were recognized to have broad impacts across taxa and habitats. These broader conservation actions address the primary statewide issues identified in Threats to SGCN andPlants
Plant Diversity of Delaware Grass Pink Orchid (Calopogon tuberosus).Photo: Gary Stolz / USFWS Delaware’s plant species play a key role in supporting wildlife diversity. Although Delaware is small in land area, over 2400 species and varieties of plants have been documentedInvertebrates
Invertebrate Diversity of Delaware Invertebrates account for an exceptionally large proportion of the biodiversity of Delaware. In Pennsylvania, where invertebrate species numbers have been quantified, Rawlins and Bier estimate that invertebrates make up 53.2% of the state’s species diversity, with plants, algae, fungi, and lichens accounting for 40%, and vertebrate animals onlyFish
Fish Diversity of Delaware Hickory shad (Alosa mediocris)Photo: Ryan Hagerty / USFWS At least one hundred and seventy-seven species of fish have been documented in Delaware waters. One hundred of these are considered SGCN in the state. NOAA estimates that 130 speciesAmphibians and Reptiles
Amphibian and Reptile Diversity of Delaware Evidence indicates worldwide declines in amphibian (Stuart et al. 2004) and reptile populations and a need to identify the specific causes and impacts of these declines is warranted (Gibbons et al. 2000; LaRoe et al. 1995). There is a recognized national and regional need for advocacyLandbirds
Landbird Diversity of Delaware Horned Lark.Photo: Richard Szlemp / USFWS While best known for its waterbird habitat, Delaware also provides critical habitat for landbirds. Important groups for which Delaware has particularly high regional responsibility include neotropical migrant songbirds that use the state for stopover habitat, migrating and wintering raptors,Conservation Actions
Addressing Threats through Conservation Actions Conservation Actions are the measures taken to eliminate, minimize, or mitigate the impacts of the issues facing Delaware’s Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) and their habitats. This chapter addresses Element 4 and presents the actions the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Division ofThreats to SGCN and Habitats
Introduction Delaware’s Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) and their habitats face numerous issues that may adversely affect them and compromise their status in the state. Some issues are global or national in scale, while others may be regional, statewide, or local. Identifying issues affecting Delaware’s SGCN and habitats is an importantAmerican Barn Owl Monitoring and Management
The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife works with public and private landowners to study and conserve Delaware’s population of American Barn Owls. Photo: Steve Licata The American Barn Owl is listed as a Tier 2 Species of Greatest Conservation Need in Delaware. This Tier, describing Species of ModerateHabitat Condition
Forest and Upland Habitats and Condition Delaware contains approximately 1.25 million land acres, of which approximately 359,000 are forested. The definition of forest used to determine forest acreage includes traditional, non-urban areas with forest cover. Forest Extent Delaware, once mostly forested, has lost over half of its forests sinceHabitat Classification
Species – Habitat Associations Background The concept of habitat in ecology includes the geographic, biotic, and abiotic factors that determine the occurrence of a species at a given place and time. The habitat of a species can be defined by the relative presence or absence on the landscape ofNatural Disturbance Regimes in Delaware
Disturbance and Diversity Patterns of natural disturbance are vital in understanding the distribution of species and habitats on the landscape. Numerous birds, invertebrates, and other species depend on habitats shaped and maintained by disturbance, including early successional habitats, floodplains, coastal systems, and fire-maintained systems. These periodic disturbances create habitat heterogeneity, promote speciesPhysiography
EPA Ecoregions Woods et al. (1999) described the USEPA Ecoregions of the Mid-Atlantic. Delaware contains parts of three Level III EPA Ecoregions: the Northern Piedmont (64), the Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain (63), and the Southeastern Plains (65). Level III EcoregionLevel IV Ecoregion Approximate Acreage Northern Piedmont Piedmont Uplands (64c) 60,617Southeastern Plains Chesapeake Rolling CoastalDelaware Habitats in a Watershed Context
Delaware’s land area drains to three major watersheds, and contains four main drainage basins: the Piedmont, Delaware Bay, Chesapeake Bay, and Inland Bays/Atlantic Ocean basins. Managing Nature by the Basin: Delaware’s Big-Picture Approach Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) has been implementing a drainage basin approach to assess,Delaware Habitats in a Regional Context
U.S. Northeast Region Delaware’s Outsized Role in Regional Conservation Delaware falls within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Northeast Region, which encompasses 13 states from Maine to Virginia. The Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (NEAFWA), the professional association that serves as the collective voice of the NortheastDelaware’s Wildlife Habitats
Delaware’s Ecological Setting Delaware is the second smallest of the United States with a land area of 1,982 mi², or just over 1.25 million acres. The state consists of three counties, New Castle, Kent, and Sussex. About 95% of the state lies within the Atlantic Coastal Plain province, and about 5% (northernMammals
Mammal Diversity of Delaware Swimming mink. Photo: USFWS Delaware is home to a wide variety of mammals. DFW serves as an important source of information about mammal populations hunted in the state. Species managed by the agency and hunted or trapped,Update and Revision of Delaware’s SGCN List
As part of the federal requirement to address conservation of the broad array of wildlife in Delaware, 688 species and subspecies were identified as SGCN during the 2015 Wildlife Action Plan Revision. Beginning in April of 2023, the criteria and SGCN list were reevaluated, resulting in a list of 1019 species, subspecies, and varieties ofReview, Revision and Working Together
Introduction This section addresses Elements 6, 7 and 8, discussing the process of developing, reviewing and revising the DEWAP, outreach and coordination with partners, stakeholders, and the general public both during the 2025 Delaware Wildlife Action Plan (DEWAP) revision process and the approach to be taken over the next 10-year implementation period.DEWAP Data
Species and Habitat Monitoring
Introduction Monitoring Delaware’s species of greatest conservation need (SGCN), their habitats, and the effectiveness of the conservation actions identified in the Delaware Wildlife Action Plan will provide information for Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) and its partners to measure success of theExecutive Summary
A Ten-Year Strategy for Wildlife and Habitat Conservation This Delaware Wildlife Action Plan (DEWAP) presents a 10-year strategy for keeping today’s wildlife from becoming tomorrow’s memory. It is comprehensive in terms of the species, habitats, issues, and actions it addresses, in order to fulfill a mandate making Delaware eligible for federal fundingWaterbirds
Waterbird Diversity of Delaware The North American Waterbird Conservation Plan, a project of the Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Initiative (www.waterbirdconservation.org), assessed the abundance and distribution of 210 waterbird species in North America and found that one-third of colonial nesting waterbirds are at risk of serious population declines. Eleven pelagic seabirds areBirds
Avian Diversity of Delaware Norther Bobwhite quail in flowers.Photo: Steve Maslowski / USFWS Species Richness The Delaware State List of Bird Species includes 429 species that have been accepted by the Delaware Bird Records Committee (DBRC) as of 2024. This official state list includes accidental andDelaware Wildlife and SGCN
Introduction The Delaware Wildlife Action Plan (DEWAP) provides information on the distribution and abundance of species, including those with low or declining populations, that exemplify the diversity and health of Delaware’s fish and wildlife. The DEWAP Revision process began with a review of current national, regional, and statewide information available for theThe 2025-2035 Delaware Wildlife Action Plan
Delaware’s Wildlife Action Plan charts a path toward a thriving future for fish, wildlife and the habitats they depend on. Rooted in science and shaped by collaboration, it focuses conservation where it matters most to protect the natural legacy we share. Welcome!Wildlife Action Plan Comment Form
Please use the form below to share your comments with the DNREC team working on the latest revision of the Delaware Wildlife Action Plan and the Wildlife Action Plan Database. Please review the draft Wildlife Action Plan including the data behind the plan and the functionality of the new interface. If youWilmington Falcon Fledge Watch Volunteers
The Wilmington Falcon Fledge Watch relies on community scientist volunteers who dedicate time each year to monitor young Peregrine falcons leaving their nest site – a nest box on the 19th floor of the Brandywine Building in Wilmington. Fledge Watch Training [eme_events template_id=15 category=90
Peregrine Falcon Monitoring and Management
The DNREC Division of Fish and wildlife works with volunteers and other partners to monitor and study Peregrine falcons. A young Peregrine falcon in flight (Photo: Steve Licata) Peregrine falcons are slowly recovering from a steep population decline that occurred between 1950 and 1970 due to the well-known (andWhen Wildlife Cause Problems
Delaware is home to diverse and vibrant communities of fish and wildlife. Thousands of visitors are drawn to Delaware for hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing and photography. As Delaware expands its urban and suburban centers, and the population grows, there is an increase in human-wildlife contact and, sometimes, conflict. The idea of “nuisance wildlife” has becomePrivate Lands Assistance
Delaware is a biologically diverse state with hardwood forests, swamps and coastal marshes that support over 400 species of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. Despite significant strides in conservation, much of the wildlife habitat in Delaware remains isolated, degraded and unprotected as more land is converted to urban, commercial and industrial uses.Boating and Fishing Access Locations
Fishing access locations in the State of Delaware include locations on the Atlantic Ocean, the Delaware Estuary, and several rivers and ponds. The access areas shown on the map on this page include both state-owned and municipal-owned areas. Please be aware of any boat ramp fees or permits thatSpring Turkey Season Hunting Permit Lottery
The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife conducts an annual lottery to issue permits to allow hunters to hunt turkeys on state wildlife areas during the spring wild turkey hunting season, which runs from April 10 to May 9 in 2027. These permits allow a hunter to harvest a wild turkey inAvian Influenza and Wildlife
Avian influenza, also known as “bird flu,” is a term for a group of influenza strains that occur naturally in wild aquatic birds and that may spread to other bird and animal species, including domestic poultry. It is a serious disease concern for poultry producers and animal health officials. [column md=”5″ xclass=”col-xs-12Adult Fishing Classes
The DNREC Aquatic Resources Education Center offers periodic classes for adults in several kids of fishing. These, combined with fishing classes and events for kids and families, help bring more people to the joy of fishing in Delaware. Each class has its own age and eligibility requirements.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. Come Find Us Salt Marsh Field Trips [button type=”primary” block=”true”Family 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. KidsTrapping and Furbearers
Technically, furbearers include all mammals that “bear fur.” However, furbearers have traditionally been classified as mammals that are trapped or hunted primarily for their economic value – their fur. Like many other species, furbearers must be managed in a sustainable and ecologically sound manner to ensure healthy populations throughout Delaware. Mink inDelaware Boat Registration Agents
There are authorized boat registration sales outlets throughout Delaware. Most offer both boat registration and boat ramp certificates. A few only offer boat ramp certificates. Kent County DNREC Boat Registration Office(Boat registration and ramp certificates)89 Kings Hwy SWDover, DE 19901Phone: 302-739-9916Fax: 302-739-1317Delaware Wildlife Action Plan
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has given formal approval to Delaware’s 2025 Wildlife Action Plan (DEWAP), which will be the State’s conservation blueprint for wildlife diversity for the next 10 years – through 2035. The Plan is required for Delaware to remain eligible for the USFWS’s State Wildlife Grant Program funding.Division of Fish and Wildlife
The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife conserves and manages Delaware’s fish and wildlife and their habitats, and provides fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and boating access on approximately 68,000 acres of public land. The division oversees wildlife resource conservation and control of mosquito populations and offers hunter, boating and aquatic education programs. It provides licensesAmerican Oystercatchers
American oystercatchers are black and white shorebirds with bright orange beaks that feed and nest on the beach. The Beach-Nesting Bird Program monitors the population and productivity of American oystercatchers in Delaware. An American oystercatcher incubating a nest. (Photo: Henrietta Bellman) These birds begin arriving in Delaware in March, startLeast Terns
Least terns are the smallest species of tern in North America, with an orange-yellow beak and mask-like black markings on the head. The Beach-Nesting Bird Program monitors the population and productivity of least terns in Delaware. A male and female least tern conducting a courtship ritual. The male presents the female withBeach-Nesting Birds
Dwindling shorebird populations have landed several species on Delaware’s Endangered Species List. The DNREC Beach-Nesting Bird Program monitors the endangered breeding shorebirds, provides habitat protection, and provides information to the public about beach-nesting species. Signs posted at the Point of Cape Henlopen State Park. (Photo: DNREC Staff) The Beach-Nesting BirdEducational 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 inBands and Special Markers on Migratory Gamebirds
Delaware hunters may find GPS transmitters, bands or other human-created additions on migratory gamebirds they encounter during hunting seasons. Harvesting such gamebirds is legal, but hunters should report what they find to state and federal biologists. Migratory gamebird hunters should be aware of specially marked ducks, geese andMosquito Control
DNREC’s Mosquito Control Section provides mosquito control services throughout Delaware to maintain quality of life and protect public health by reducing the possibility of mosquito-borne illnesses. For help with nuisance mosquitoes where you live, call one of our field offices: The Northern Delaware Office, 302-836-2555, serving New Castle CountyHunter Harvest Survey
This page holds the annual Hunter Harvest Survey from the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife. The survey helps state biologists track hunter harvest and activity for game species in Delaware.Contact Us
DNREC Hunter Surveys 302-735-3600
