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.
STEM Women of DNREC-On Feb. 11, as we mark the 7th annual International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we recognize the role of women and girls in science. At DNREC, we’re proud to celebrate our very own 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.
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.
Flooding – What You Can Do-Flood Awareness Week is May 9 to May 15, 2022. Are you prepared for flooding?
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
PFAS – Fighting Forever Chemicals in Delaware-By Todd Keyser Beginning in the 1970s, firefighters used a special foam to put out jet fuel fires at Dover Air Force Base (DAFB). That foam figured prominently in 2006, when a C-5 cargo plane crashed just short of a runway after developing problems during takeoff. Fortunately, all 17 onboard survived the
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.
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.
Mother’s Day in Delaware Wetlands-It’s Mother’s Day and American Wetlands Month. We thought we’d combine the two to bring you one article about some of the moms who raise their young in Delaware’s marsh areas – osprey, spring peepers and muskrats.
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.
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.
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.
Microplastics: A Not So Tiny Tale-What happens to plastic after it fulfills its original purpose? Recycling gives many plastic items a second use but vast amounts are discarded and make their way into the environment. Some of this becomes microplastics. DNREC scientists are working on ways to clean them up.
Hanging with the Bats-Many of us are scared of bats. But they’re far more beneficial than harmful – and they’re not out to get us.
“Not My Trash – But I Picked It Up.” Coastal Cleanup 2020-For 32 years, volunteers cleared tons of trash from Delaware beaches in single-day events. In 2020, to make the Coastal Cleanup accessible and safe for everyone, the effort transitioned to a month-long campaign.
Our Own Toliara-Toliara is a radiated tortoise who lives at the Brandywine Zoo. Radiated tortoises are reptiles and considered among the most beautiful in the world. His ancestors emerged on land shortly after dinosaurs became extinct some 65 million years ago.
What About Kestrels? The Brandywine Zoo is Finding Out-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.
Jellyfish to Watch Out For-Are you planning to go for a swim? If so, you may encounter jellyfish because they love warm water. And there are several species of jellies you should keep a watchful eye on as you venture out for a dip.
Everything Including the Kitchen “Sink” — Delaware’s Artificial Reefs-Over 20 years, Delaware has recycled more than two million tons of rock, 100,000 tons of concrete, 86 tanks and armored personnel carriers, 1,329 retired subway cars and 27 retired vessels to create new, artificial reefs.
Electric Vehicles – On the Move in Delaware-Our relationship with electric automobiles has run hot and cold over the last 100 years, with gas-powered vehicles always winning in the end. Now people are looking for cleaner alternatives as concerns for the environment increase.
