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Outdoor Delaware is the award-winning online magazine of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. Articles and multimedia content are produced by the DNREC Office of Communications.
We requested Delawareans send us their horseshoe crab art and they did so! Check out a stunning display of tattoos, clothing, paintings and more that demonstrate the connection Delawareans have to our state marine animal.
Every spring, millions of living fossils make their way to the beaches along the Delaware Bay, continuing a cycle that’s been underway for thousands of years. Creepy-crawlies more than a foot long clad in carapaces and trailing a tail-like spike emerge from the waves to gather along the shoreline en masse in hopes of finding a mate. These are horseshoe crabs, and the body of water dividing Delaware from New Jersey is home to their largest spawning grounds in the world.
Every year, thousands of people go crabbing for fun in the Delaware Bay. Unfortunately, whether from neglect or simple forgetfulness, not all those crab pots get picked up. Forgotten or abandoned traps can be hazards, both to boaters and to wildlife. That’s why the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has been working with partner organizations for several years to clean up derelict pots, including holding an annual event aimed at finding and removing these traps.
Significant progress in the shellfish industry has been made since the beginning of the 2010s, when Delaware was the only state on the Atlantic coast without shellfish aquaculture. Just a decade later, hundreds of thousands of oysters are being harvested via aquaculture and sold to restaurants and distributors right here in the state.
The state of Delaware recognizes two Native American tribes: the Lenape and the Nanticoke. Both groups descend from indigenous Americans who lived along the Delaware River and Delaware Bay for many centuries before Europeans arrived. Learn how the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control works to protect and promote their heritage in this offering from Outdoor Delaware.
Every week, thousands of tons of paper, glass, plastic, cardboard and aluminum make their way to a large facility sitting between Interstate 295 and Interstate 495 in New Castle near the Delaware River. This is the Materials Recovery Facility, and it processes much of Delaware’s recyclables.
The Delaware Hunters Against Hunger program is once again providing venison to people in need, an annual tradition during the holidays. The initiative has distributed almost 328 tons of venison to local food banks since 1996, totaling about 2.62 million meals.
Helpful information regarding air quality for your area is available online thanks to a tool from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. Accessible at de.gov/airdata and updated hourly, the resource provides a quick and easy way to check what’s in the air, which can indicate how conditions outside may impact your health.
Fifty years ago, roughly 1 in 20 Delawareans hunted, according to license data maintained by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. Today, that figure is more like 1 in 50. But that doesn’t mean hunting’s importance has diminished for those who do take part, as the director of the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife explains in this piece.
Significant progress has been made in combating forever chemicals in Delaware in recent years, and we continue to learn more about presence of these emerging contaminants in our land, water and bodies. Officially known as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances but more commonly referred to simply as PFAS, the chemicals have been used in thousands of products, including cookware, clothing and firefighting foam, for decades following their creation in the mid-20th century. Learn more about how the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is responding to these contaminants.
While people often think of factory smokestacks emitting gases into the sky or industrial facilities discharging wastewater into rivers when they hear of pollution, many of the contaminants that make their way into the environment originate as part of everyday activities. This is known as nonpoint source pollution, and it can be very difficult to stop. But the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control isn’t backing down.
Hundreds of people volunteer for Delaware State Parks every year, providing a crucial service that otherwise would cost the state hundreds of thousands of dollars more annually or require it to cease some of its offerings. In 2024, volunteers contributed 153,543 hours — the equivalent of 78 full-time employees. These valued volunteers sell park passes, pick up trash, help plan events and much more.
Every May, huge numbers of shorebirds like red knots, ruddy turnstones and sanderlings stop in Delaware as they migrate north to the Arctic to mate. Our state is a key rest stop for these species, which take advantage of the Delaware Bay’s location as prime horseshoe crab spawning grounds to feast on their eggs. What have scientists learned from carefully studying these birds for more than 40 years?
Delaware is home to more than 2,800 known animal species. Many are doing just fine or even thriving, but some are experiencing harder times. About 700 of these animals, as well as some 300 plant species, are included in Delaware’s draft 2025-2035 Wildlife Action Plan as Species of Greatest Conservation Need. Learn more about how the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control uses the plan to preserve our flora and fauna, including 90 animal species designated as endangered, in this offering from Outdoor Delaware.
The sun rising over dozens of horseshoe crabs congregating on the beach, dolphins breaching the water with a lighthouse in the background and an idyllic scene of Assawoman Bay at twilight are among the five winning images out of nearly 500 entries submitted to the 2025 Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Photo Contest. See the winning photographs and learn about the artists who took them.
After six years, the sand bypass system at the Indian River Inlet is reopening. But what exactly is a sand bypass system, how does it help prevent erosion and what do beachgoers need to know? Find all those answers and more in this piece from Outdoor Delaware.
Here’s what’s on offer at the DNREC building during the annual Delaware State Fair from July 17 through 26.
In northern New Castle County, a tiny population of North America’s smallest turtle is receiving a lift thanks to efforts from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. While once home to populations at several different sites, today Delaware has only about 20 adult bog turtles across two habitats. However, DNREC is working to help the species thrive once more.
Many communities across the United States face challenges related to air quality and respiratory health, especially as it pertains to emissions from diesel engines. In Delaware, transportation is a major contributor to pollution, producing 75% of the state’s nitrogen oxide emissions, which contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone. But Delaware is also taking advantage of a federal program to clean up diesel pollution, replacing and retrofitting older diesel vehicles like school buses and trash trucks.
As anyone who’s searched for them knows, finding snakes, turtles, frogs and other reptiles or amphibians isn’t always easy. For conservationists, who must develop detailed plans around propagating species that are typically rare to begin with, it can be even more difficult. Experts have too often lacked good data about these critters, including where exactly they live. Mapping the range of every species in our state is a very big task. But, thanks to a very extensive project that took the better part of a decade, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control now has a better idea about the location of reptiles and amphibians here.
At the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Earth Day is far too important and multifaceted to be confined to a single 24-hour period. Though Earth Day normally takes place on April 22, in Delaware, this holiday is transformed into a monthlong event recognizing the importance of preserving our natural world. For 2025, DNREC has planned tree plantings, beach cleanups, hikes, talks and more.
DNREC staff have come up with an Earth Day playlist to help you get into the mood to plant some trees, pick up trash in your neighborhood or just enjoy nature.
The American kestrel is a pint-sized yet ferocious aerial predator notorious for taking out tree swallows or bluebirds in mid-air. About the size of a mourning dove, this raptor is the smallest and most colorful falcon in North America. But the species is also in danger. Kestrel populations have been falling, with the Mid-Atlantic region experiencing the greatest decline.
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control handles a lot of responsibilities, one of the most important yet often overlooked of which is ensuring companies and other entities are following environmental laws and regulations. This includes regularly inspecting boilers, septic systems, exhaust stacks and more around the state. Learn more about the dedicated professionals who handle these duties in this piece from Outdoor Delaware.
As part of its duties overseeing Delaware’s environment and wildlife, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control regularly responds to fish kills. These die-offs can occur in bodies of water as disparate as an ocean or a neighborhood stormwater basin and can consist of just a few fish or literal millions.
Do you know what chemicals are stored in your community? For four decades, the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act has helped keep Americans safe by requiring officials to track hazardous substances, develop emergency plans in case of spills or leaks and make information available to the public. That includes providing details about businesses, schools and other places storing chemicals, which Delawareans can now view through a new portal from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.
Virginia is named for Queen Elizabeth I of England, Pennsylvania is derived from proprietor William Penn, New Jersey takes its designation from a British island, and everyone knows the origin of Washington. But what about Delaware? And even if you are aware of where our state’s name comes from, how about the Murderkill River or Cape Henlopen? The origins of Delaware’s place names make for fascinating stories.
Delmarva fox squirrels are rare in Delaware, but just because you haven’t seen one of these large, silver-gray, fluffy-tailed squirrels yet doesn’t mean you won’t, especially if you live in Sussex County. The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife has moved 123 squirrels into the area over the past few years as part of a translocation program aimed at bolstering the formerly endangered species’ numbers.
Delaware marshes are chock-full of phragmites, a mostly invasive plant species that threatens to disrupt ecosystems throughout the state. First identified in Delaware in the 1840s, it is ubiquitous near waterways in our state today. That’s why the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has for decades worked to control the population and manage habitats, in the process preserving a delicate balance.
Perhaps few natural sights are more beautiful than the changing leaves in autumn. In Delaware, there are myriad locations to see the warm reds, oranges and yellows of oaks, beeches, maples, poplars and more, including numerous state parks and wildlife areas managed by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.
From Laurel to Wilmington, Delaware has an array of natural spots, including parks, nature reserves and wildlife areas. And between these sites, there are more than a handful of notable trails, including wilderness treks and historic strolls. While few of them can really pose the challenge that experienced hikers used to genuine mountains may prefer, they’re certainly worth checking out if you like the outdoors (and who doesn’t?).
Delaware is home to more than 100 different tree species, from the bald cypress to the American holly to the yellow poplar. Trees have always played a significant role in human society and culture, and the First State is no exception in that regard. In this piece, Outdoor Delaware takes you inside Delaware’s forests. By the way — do you know what our state tree is?
For more than 30 years, Delaware’s Coastal Cleanup has removed literal tons of garbage from our state’s coastal areas. In the 2024 event, held after the prior year saw a cancellation due to bad weather, more than 1,000 people gave their time to help pick up litter (including a couch and a mannequin head) at almost 50 sites up and down eastern Delaware.
Invasive species threaten to outcompete native species, could carry disease and generally risk disrupting the fragile ecosystem. In this piece from Outdoor Delaware, experts offer an overview of what qualifies as an invasive species, how these plants and animals can harm the environment and what Delawareans should know about them.
When the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control needs to test water samples for contaminants, it turns to its Environmental Laboratory, which has been helping protect the state’s natural resources for 75 years — and will, before long, move into a new home. In this piece, Outdoor Delaware takes you inside the lab to elucidate its important duties.
You don’t need to know much about mosquitoes to appreciate efforts to prevent the insects from spreading and sucking blood. But how exactly does the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control go about controlling the mosquito population? Learn all about mosquito control in this article from Outdoor Delaware.
Prior to 2016, black bears had not been spotted in Delaware in more than a century. Over the past eight years, however, four different juvenile male bears have ventured into Delaware, capturing the public imagination. Is this a trend residents can expect to continue?
Around two-thirds of American households have pets, mostly dogs or cats, and many consider them just as much a part of the family as human members. But for a few people, even some of the more unique animals sometimes owned as pets like snakes, parakeets and hamsters aren’t enough — they want to keep wildlife. Find out why animal experts say it’s generally bad to take in wild animals in this offering from Outdoor Delaware.
Delaware’s last official drought emergency came in 2002. That was also the worst drought here since well before Delaware became a state. Learn more about drought in this article from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.
Meet the winners of DNREC’s Haiku Poetry Contest, which celebrates June’s Ocean Month.
Delaware’s beaches are home to a dizzying array of wildlife that might surprise even many Delawareans, from fish to birds to crabs to mammals and more. This summer, visitors to the state’s beaches will have a chance to observe many critters in their natural habitats.
The bald eagle population plummeted greatly in the middle of the 20th century but has since rebounded. In 2023, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control conducted a count of eagles’ nests in the First State.
Everybody is affected by the state of our environment. Today, young people are often leading the charge in environmental action, getting involved in the annual school Envirothon competition, tackling individual projects aimed at benefiting nature and pursuing environmental-based careers.
This Mother’s Day, Outdoor Delaware is highlighting some of the state’s most fascinating animal parents, from the pouch-packing Virginia opossum to the solo-singing spring peeper.
Delaware is home to more than 1,600 native plant species. Of those, upward of 650 are considered rare here, including 47 thought to be completely extinct in the state.
Flooding is already a problem in Delaware, the lowest-lying state, and it is expected to worsen over time due to climate change. That’s why the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has launched a new flood planning tool, known as I-ADAPT, or the Individual Adaptation and Decision Planning Tool.
Every March for more than three decades, hundreds of volunteers have gathered at beaches along the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean to plant Cape American beach grass.
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is working alongside partners to clean up the Christina and Brandywine rivers in an ambitious initiative known as CBR4.
Delaware doesn’t have many “true” hibernators, but it does have its share of critters that use long naps as a winter survival strategy.
Every year on International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we’re proud to celebrate DNREC’s women scientists, engineers, biologists, directors and others in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math. Learn more about how some of them got started, their advice for girls and what they love about their work.
The Delaware Estuary Water Quality Monitoring Program, informally known as the boat run, is one of the longest-running water quality monitoring programs in the world.
An intimate moment with a white-tailed deer is captured by Delaware photographer Kimberly Barksdale.
With help from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Faithful Friends Animal Society has a new shelter in New Castle.
Want to learn more about wetlands, the natural filters of Delaware? Read all about them at Outdoor Delaware.
Are you looking for a haunting adventure? Come with us on a spine-tingling paranormal investigation at the haunted Fort Delaware.
Wondering what to do with your pumpkins after the season is over? Learn how to recycle them with these easy tips.
Part of our mission is providing quality outdoor recreation for all Delawareans. Learn about our commitment to accessibility and recent improvements.
Angela Flynn, winner of our Ocean Photo Contest, shares with Outdoor Delaware about her beach adventures and love of photography.
Take a journey with us as we explore some of the unique properties acquired through the Delaware Open Space Program administered by the DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation and the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife.
Join DNREC designer Christy Shaffer as she takes us on an illustrated journey to discover the beauty of herons found in Delaware.
Flood Awareness Week was May 20-24, 2024. Are you prepared for flooding?
As we renew our commitment to our planet this Earth Day, we can be proud of the progress we are making toward reducing emissions by focusing on clean transportation, energy efficiency, clean energy, offsetting carbon emissions and more.
It’s estimated that more than 6 million couples will get engaged on Valentine’s Day. The prep work is a big deal – picking the ring, choosing the words and finding the perfect spot. We can help with some great location ideas.
A photo of three turkeys trotting down a misty country road took first prize in the 2022 Delaware Watersheds Photos Contest.
If you’re swimming in Delaware waters, particularly in the ocean, you’re probably swimming near sharks. But they actually have more to fear from us than the other way around.
Looking for special summer getaways off the beaten path in Delaware? We highlighted three beautiful state Nature Preserves – one in each county.
We all want to help bees and other pollinators that produce the food we eat. Planting a pollinator garden is a great way to do that. Our DNREC expert has some tips to help you dig in.
Got your reusable bags? Don’t forget them when you go shopping, as Delaware has banned stores from providing plastic bags since 2022.
The diamondback terrapins at Port Mahon in Kent County could use a hand during their upcoming nesting season. You can help.
For Earth Day, 2022, Gov. John Carney and DNREC Sec. Shawn M. Garvin wrote an article on the need to take bold action on climate change.
How about some musical inspiration for Earth Day? We asked our DNREC colleagues for their Earth Day song suggestions and we created an “Earth Day Top 40.”
It’s that time of year – we’re spending more time outdoors hiking and biking, hunting and fishing, gardening in our backyards and enjoying picnics in our parks. It’s also the time for unwelcome visitors – of the tick variety. Ticks are uninvited hitchhikers that can cause us a great deal of trouble.
Our beaches and dunes need protection to prevent erosion especially after severe coastal storms. Learn how DNREC works to provide beach nourishment to Delaware’s shoreline.
Delaware’s Endangered Species – there here are 86 animals on Delaware’s endangered species list, including the American kestrel, the northern long-eared bat and the barking tree frog. Learn more in Part 1 of a special two-part series.
The red knot, monarch butterfly and Delmarva fox squirrel are among the nearly 100 animals on Delaware’s endangered species list. Learn more about what DNREC is doing to ensure thriving wildlife diversity in Delaware.
Calling all birders – experienced or not – to help the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve have a Big Year!
Looking for something different on your plate? We asked DNREC folks to share their most wildly delicious recipes for harvested game.
A photo of the iconic great blue heron took first prize in the Watersheds Photos Contest, sponsored by the DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship.
America Recycles Day, November 15, is a reminder to reduce, reuse and recycle. We have some tips to help you remember how to recycle right in Delaware.
An endangered fin whale was spotted struggling in the waters of Cape Henlopen State Park. Both the Delaware Natural Resources Police and the Marine Education, Research & Rehabilitation Institute responded. Learn what happened and how we respond to animal strandings in Delaware.
“Ghost forests.” Salty-tasting well water. Saltwater intrusion is a growing issue in Delaware due to sea level rise and climate change. Here’s what DNREC is doing about it.
Photo Contest Winners! See nature’s beauty at DNREC’s Aquatic Resources Education Center near Smyrna.
As we mark National Estuaries Week on September 18, learn more about estuaries of Delaware – unique ecosystems that many people, plants and animals call home.
Hunting season gets underway in Delaware on September 1. Get all the information you need to go afield.
DNREC scientists are unlocking some of the mysteries of Delaware’s secretive marsh birds. Clapper rails, saltmarsh sparrows and other species are facing many challenges. How are they faring?
Delaware’s waterways are packed with boat traffic this summer. Here are some tips and requirements you need to know to stay safe and enjoy your nautical adventures in the First State.
There are 19 species of snakes slithering around Delaware. Which ones should you watch out for and what are the best ways to avoid them?
Bzzzzz ….. slap. Sound familiar? The whine of buzzing mosquitoes followed by swats (and maybe even expletives) is a tell-tale sign of summer in Delaware. There is plenty you can do in your own backyard to reduce the populations of these pests and our Mosquito Control Section has tips to share, along with the mosquitos to watch out for.
They have long striped tails, intense eyes and they’re full of antics. Meet the lemurs – and the other animals – at the Brandywine Zoo’s new Madagascar Exhibit.
The first week of May marks the beginning of Air Quality Awareness Week. DNREC ‘s Air Quality Monitoring Stations, located throughout the state, are helping us breathe easier.
Most of us do the best we can to reduce our carbon footprint by recycling more, taking more public transportation, or using less electricity to heat and cool our homes. But what else can we do? Outdoor Delaware asked our experts for a list of the best ways we can help our planet.
Now is a great time to grab your binoculars to witness the spectacle of the return of our migrant bird species throughout the state. Outdoor Delaware sat down with our staff birders to talk about spring birding and what makes it so special.
Fishing is a great activity for young people to jump-start interest in the natural environment. Our staff agree, there is no time like the present to encourage the next generation of environmental stewards.
You may not have heard about them, but there are brownfields all over Delaware. They’re neither pretty nor healthy. That is, until we step in to clean them up and make way for redevelopment.
They find lost children and suspects, sniff out illegal drugs and perform many other law enforcement tasks. But instead of two legs, they have four. They’re enforcement officers like any other with our Natural Resources Police.
Safer water for us, less flooding and shad returning to their spawning grounds in the Brandywine River. Our WATAR team is making it happen.
Our Emergency Response Team is the state’s designated first responder for environmental emergencies. The team is on call 24/7 to respond to emergencies from oil spills to clandestine drug labs, chemical leaks, radiological incidents and many more that may occur.
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