Get smarter about our environment and enjoy the journey. Learn what makes our natural world tick and how we can help conserve and protect it.
STEM Women of DNREC-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.
To Accessibility and Beyond-Part of our mission is providing quality outdoor recreation for all Delawareans. Learn about our commitment to accessibility and recent improvements.
Exploring Delaware’s Open Spaces-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.
Drawn to Herons: An Illustrated Story-Join DNREC designer Christy Shaffer as she takes us on an illustrated journey to discover the beauty of herons found in Delaware.
Earth Day, 2023-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.
Top Spots for Your Valentine’s Engagement-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.
Turkeys Trot Into the Lead-A photo of three turkeys trotting down a misty country road took first prize in the 2022 Delaware Watersheds Photos Contest.
Sharks in Delaware Waters-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.
At One With Nature: Delaware’s Nature Preserves-Looking for special summer getaways off the beaten path in Delaware? We highlighted three beautiful state Nature Preserves – one in each county.
Planting a Pollinator Garden – Dig In With Our Expert!-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.
Operation Terrapin Rescue – Keeping Turtles Safe-The diamondback terrapins at Port Mahon in Kent County could use a hand during their upcoming nesting season. Learn more about how you can help.
The DNREC Earth Day Top 40-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.”
Tick-Tock – The Ticks are Waiting…-By Dr. Ashley Kennedy Last April, returning home after a day of work outdoors, I loosened my hair out of my ponytail and felt a familiar but unwelcome bump on my scalp. Based on the size and location, I immediately guessed what it could be – an adult American dog tick which often bites
Nourishing Delaware’s Beaches-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: What DNREC’s Doing to Help-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.
It’s a Big Year at DNERR-Calling all birders – experienced or not – to help the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve have a Big Year!
Good Eats from Nature’s Bounty-Looking for something different on your plate? We asked DNREC folks to share their most wildly delicious recipes for harvested game.
Great Blue Heron Steals the Show-A photo of the iconic great blue heron took first prize in the Watersheds Photos Contest, sponsored by the DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship.
Delaware Recycles!-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.
What We Do About Animal Strandings 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.
The Nitty-Gritty of the Estuary-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.
Hunters: What You Need to Know- Hunting season gets underway in Delaware on September 1. Get all the information you need to go afield.
Our Not So Secretive Marsh Birds-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?
How to Stay Safe on the Water-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.
Snakes to Watch Out For-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?
How to Prevent Backyard Mosquitos-zzzzz … slap. Sound familiar? The whine of buzzing mosquitoes followed by swats is a tell-tale sign of summer in Delaware. There's plenty you can do in your backyard to reduce populations of these pests. Our Mosquito Control Section has tips to share, along with the mosquitos to watch out for.
On the Move – Delmarva Fox Squirrels in Delaware-Delmarva fox squirrels are rare in Delaware. Just because you haven’t seen one of these large, silver-gray, fluffy-tailed squirrels doesn’t mean you won’t – especially if you live in Sussex County. Our Division of Fish and Wildlife just moved 15 more into the area, as part of an ongoing translocation program.
Meet the Lemurs (and More!) at The Brandywine Zoo-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.
Our Planet, Our Responsibility-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.
Playlist: Songs Inspired by Earth Day-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.
Spring – It’s Bird TV-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.
Four Tips for Fishing with Young Anglers-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.
The Transformers-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.
K-9s – DNREC’s Natural Resources Police Superpower-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.
More Than a Drink of WATAR- Safer water for us, less flooding and shad returning to their spawning grounds in the Brandywine River. Our WATAR team is making it happen.
Answering the Call 24/7 – Our Emergency Response Team-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.
