Office of the Secretary

The DNREC Office of the Secretary provides leadership, overall policy guidance and central administrative services to support the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). Secretary: Gregory Patterson Deputy Secretary: Dayna Cobb [column

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Resilient Communities

Communities throughout Delaware are threatened by inland flooding, coastal storms, sea level rise, and changing climate conditions. The Resilient Community Partnership helps communities prepare to respond to coastal hazards. The

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Secretary Gregory Patterson

Greg Patterson was appointed by Gov. Meyer in January 2025 to lead the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), which protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The Honorable Gregory Patterson Sec. Patterson

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Federal Consistency Review Responses

This page is a collection of Coastal Zone Management Federal Consistency review responses from DNREC’s Delaware Coastal Programs. Federal Consistency Reviews help ensure that state and federal actions in the Coastal Zone are consistent and coordinated. Activity reviews requiring public notification are posted on the DNREC Public Notices page.

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For Kids and Families

DNREC’s National Estuarine Research Reserve offers a variety of fun and educational activities for children and adults on Reserve property and along the Delaware Bayshore. All activities are free. Most require pre-registration. Delaware National Estuarine

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Ocean Planning

Delaware Coastal Programs supports the long-term economic and ecological health of the Mid-Atlantic through regional ocean planning efforts. Delaware Ocean and Bay Plan

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Federal Consistency Determination: National Marine Fisheries Service

National Marine Fisheries Service proposes to update fishery management plans regarding Atlantic king mackerel and Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel.

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City of New Castle Ecosystem Assessment and Enhancement Project

The City of New Castle and DNREC have partnered for a study to determine the potential impacts of various sea level rise scenarios on the city’s ecosystems. The Ecosystem Assessment and Enhancement Project is based on the recommendations of a previous city/state partnership. It will

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Delaware Wetland Management Plan

Delaware is a state rich with wetlands that vary from forested vernal ponds, to highly productive salt marshes, to unique Bald Cypress Swamps. As stewards of these great resources it is our responsibility to slow the loss of wetland acreage, improve the health of remaining wetlands and work together to better understand and share with

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Library: Management Plans and Monitoring Protocols

A collection of management plans and monitoring protocols from the DNREC Watershed Assessment Section. Wetland Publications Library

Wetland Health Reports

Management Plans and Monitoring Protocols

Long-Term Wetlands Monitoring

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Whole Basin Management

Beginning in the 1990s, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) took a different approach to assessing, managing, and protecting Delaware’s natural resources. This approach, known as Whole Basin Management, encouraged the various programs throughout DNREC to work in an integrated manner to assess different geographic areas of the state defined on the

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Accidental Release Prevention

The DNREC Accidental Release Prevention (ARP) Program ensures that facilities that use Extremely Hazardous Substances (EHS) maintain Risk Management Plans (RMP). Facilities regulated by

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Notice of Proposed Program Change to the Delaware Coastal Management Program

The Delaware Coastal Management Program has submitted proposed changes to Delaware’s federally approved coastal management program to the NOAA Office for Coastal Management.

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Past Projects and Fellows

The DNREC Coastal Management Program and the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve are dynamic, evolving programs whose focus remains on the balance between the use and protection of Delaware’s coastal resources. This is an archive of information about some past projects.

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The Delaware Coastal Management Program

From the Delaware Bay to the Atlantic Ocean, Delaware’s coastal resources contribute to its economy, environment, and quality of life. DNREC’s Delaware Coastal Management Program (DCMP) is a networked program that works to preserve, protect, develop, enhance, and resolve conflicts related to the state’s coastal resources. The Coastal

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Green Eggs and Sand

Green Eggs and Sand is an innovative workshop experience and set of curriculum modules designed to explore the Atlantic Coast horseshoe crab (HSC)/shorebird phenomenon and management controversy. Laurel Sullivan Education Coordinator, DNERR 302-735-3412 Karen Byrne New Jersey Dept. of Environmental Protection

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St. Jones Reserve

The St. Jones Reserve component of the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve (DNERR) is located on the north shore of the St. Jones River, off Kitts Hummock Road, south of Dover in Kent County and includes a portion of Delaware Bay. The St. Jones Reserve is on the Delaware Bayshore Byway and includes a Visitor

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Blackbird Creek Reserve

The Blackbird Creek Reserve component of the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve (DNERR) is located upstream from Delaware Route 9 at Taylors Bridge in Townsend, New Castle County. The Blackbird Creek Reserve is on the Delaware Bayshore Byway and includes trails, pavilion and canoe/kayak launch.

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Blackbird Creek Fall Festival

The Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve (DNERR) offers a day of free family fun at the Blackbird Creek Fall Festival every October. [modal text=”Where Is It?” title=”Find the

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Delaware Bay Horseshoe Crab Spawning Survey

Citizen scientists and state researchers have surveyed the horseshoe crabs spawning along Delaware Bay beaches since 1990. The data they have collected has been key for scientists in monitoring changes in numbers of spawning crabs in the Bay.

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Delaware Sea Level Rise Advisory Committee

The Delaware Sea Level Rise Advisory Committee was created in 2010 to investigate the state’s vulnerability to sea level rise and to provide recommendations about how to best prepare for higher sea levels. Adapting to Sea Level Rise Delaware Sea Level Rise Advisory Committee

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Climate Change and Sea Level Rise Perceptions

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) has initiated a series of public perception surveys to measure the Delaware public’s knowledge of, and interest in, the issues of climate change and sea level rise. The latest survey was conducted in November and December 2019. Surveys were also conducted in 2009 and 2014.

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Adapting to Sea Level Rise

Sea level rise affects more than beaches and oceanfront landowners. Sea level rise can increase the height of storm waves, making more areas vulnerable to storm damage. Sea level rise can inundate and flood low lying areas, causing losses to tidal wetlands, habitat, and agricultural areas. Sea level rise also can cause higher water tables and saltwater intrusion,

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Nature-Based Solutions for Coastal Hazards

This course, from the NOAA Office of Coastal Management, prepares planners and communities for planning and implementing green or natural infrastructure projects to reduce coastal natural hazards. Nature-based solutions, sometimes called “green infrastructure,” incorporate the natural environment and constructed systems that mimic natural processes in an integrated network that

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Facilitation Basics for Coastal Managers

This two-day instructor-led course from the NOAA Office of Coastal Management is designed to increase participants’ ability to plan and facilitate a meeting (or a series of meetings) that minimize conflict and enhance problem solving. Collaboration is often cited as a good way to address coastal resource management

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Creating a Flood Ready Community

This course, presented with the University of Delaware Institute for Public Administration, Delaware Sea Grant and DNREC Coastal Programs, reviews the multiple sources of flood risks to Delaware communities that can be addressed and mitigated through planning, codes and ordinances. This training covers floodplain requirements for municipalities. It presents

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Register for Coastal Training

Coastal training and education programs are open to all, but registration is required. Registration is through the Delaware Learning Center, unless otherwise noted. Please login (see below) to the Learning Center then select the training from the My Training widget on the Welcome Page and follow the registration process. Or search for the course

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Slaughter Beach Resilient Community Events

The public participation portion of the Slaughter Beach Resilient Community Partnership included a series of three public meetings at which residents and stakeholders were able to brainstorm and contribute their input to the partnership. July 22, 2017 Resilient Community Day Public Workshop Town of Slaughter Beach residents and stakeholders were invited

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Resilient Community Partnership: New Castle

The City of New Castle, like other low-lying Delaware communities, is vulnerable to natural hazards from multiple sources. New Castle is particularly at risk due to its location along the Delaware River, which makes it susceptible to upstream flooding, downstream tidal surge, and combinations of the two. A

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Resilient Community Partnership: Slaughter Beach

The Town of Slaughter Beach, like other low-lying Delaware Bayfront communities, is vulnerable to natural hazards from multiple sources. Slaughter Beach currently experiences frequent flooding of streets and property during high tide. The town is also at risk for less frequent, but more extreme flooding events from storm

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School Programs

Are you looking for a great field trip opportunity or possibly a visit from a naturalist into your classroom? Have you thought about the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve? The Reserve provides wonderful field trip and classroom outreach opportunities for you and your students! [panel type=”success” heading=”Information

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Resources for Teachers

The Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve offers a variety of Teacher Professional Development opportunities every year. These training sessions give teachers from around the Delaware Bay an opportunity to grow and expand their skills. Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve 302-739-6377

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Get Involved

You can get involved in your community and your estuary when you volunteer with DNREC’s Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve (DNERR). The Reserve offers a variety of volunteer opportunities for adults and high school students throughout each year at each of its two locations. The Delaware National Estuarine

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Alvin G. Wilson Conservation Demonstration Area

The Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve actively promotes installation of conservation and restoration projects. As part of an educational outreach effort, 12 acres of poorly-drained farmland located within the St. Jones Reserve were converted in 2003 to demonstration plots to highlight wetland and grass conservation options. [panel

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Conservation and Stewardship

Delaware Coastal Programs works with partners at the state, regional and national level to promote better stewardship of coastal habitats. Stewardship involves a wide range of activities including land acquisition, habitat mapping, ecological restoration, invasive species monitoring, resource inventories, demonstration areas, and more.

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The Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve

The Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve (DNERR) is one of 30 National Estuarine Research Reserves across the country whose goal is to establish, protect, and manage natural estuarine habitats for research, education, and coastal stewardship. DNREC manages the Reserve under a regularly updated, five-year Reserve Management Plan.

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Coastal Monitoring

DNREC’s Delaware Coastal Programs conducts long-term monitoring to help understand the coastal environment. The data collected provide insights into complex estuarine ecosystems. They help local and national leaders understand the vulnerability and resilience of our coast — and the effects of a changing climate. [panel type=”success”

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Coastal Training Program

DNREC’s Delaware Coastal Programs offers training and assistance to coastal decision-makers through the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve. The Coastal Training Program offers resources to help communities make informed decisions.

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Education and Outreach

DNREC Coastal Programs offers a variety of volunteer, educational, and recreational opportunities at the two research reserve sites that make up the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve (DNERR). [column md=”8″ xclass=”col-xs-12

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Applied Coastal Science

An extensive and dynamic applied coastal science and monitoring program provides scientific data to inform management strategies for the conservation of critical coastal resources. The current focus areas include looking at issues related to climate change and sea level rise, water quality, animal and plant life, the interface between humans and the coastal ecosystem, and more.

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Planning, Training, and Technical Resources

DNREC’s Delaware Coastal Programs encourages stewardship of Delaware’s coastal and ocean resources by promoting informed, science-based decision making. This is achieved through the development of tools and resources, local and regional planning, training workshops, conferences, field demonstrations, and providing technical assistance to coastal decision makers. Resilient Communities The

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Federal Consistency

Federal agencies are required to follow state coastal management policies when conducting projects or issuing permits that could affect coastal resources. [modal text=”Federal Consistency Notices” title=”Recent Federal Consistency Determinations” xclass=”btn

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Contact Us

Delaware Coastal Programs 100 W. Water Street, Suite 7B Dover, DE 19904 302-739-9283 Administrator Jesse Hayden, PE Coastal Programs Section Administrator 302-739-9283 Jesse.Hayden@delaware.gov Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve Components Blackbird Creek Reserve 801 Blackbird Landing Road Townsend, DE 19734 302-378-5734 St. Jones Reserve 818 Kitts Hummock Road Dover, DE 19901 302-739-6377

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Delaware Coastal Programs

The Coastal Programs Section of the Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy serves as the Department’s research, education, and policy lead for coastal and ocean issues. It helps manage Delaware’s federal coastal zone and balance the use and protection of its resources through the integrated efforts of the Delaware Coastal Management Program and Delaware National Estuarine Research

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