Technical Climate Advisors

The Technical Climate Advisors are experts from state agencies, higher education and other institutions tasked with evaluating and updating the State’s sea level rise, temperature and precipitation scenarios every five years to be used in the state Climate Action Plan and in support of other climate and sustainability initiatives. The

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Climate and Sustainability Initiatives

The DNREC Climate and Sustainability Section is charged with coordinating state actions that reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change and improving Delaware’s resiliency to climate change impacts. They use technical assistance, financial incentives, policy development, pilot projects and education initiatives to meet this charge. The Division is committed to

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Meet Your Chemical Neighbors: DNREC’s New Portal Reveals Local Chemical Hazards

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.

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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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Delaware’s Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan

Delaware’s Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, known as the SCORP, tracks the state’s recreation inventory, identifies needs for infrastructure and programs and guides public and private planning and investment to meet those needs. The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation has released the 2025 – 2030 SCORP, Expanding Outdoor Recreation for All,

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Proposed Offshore Wind Cable Landing at Delaware Seashore State Park

DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation is working with park visitors and residents of coastal Sussex County to plan for potential recreational impacts of a proposal to bring power lines from an offshore wind project ashore at 3Rs Beach in Delaware Seashore State Park.

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Delaware Ocean and Bay Plan

DNREC’s Delaware Coastal Programs is developing an Ocean and Bay Plan to protect Delaware’s marine resources, ecological functions and ocean and bay uses. Developing the plan will include public input and review by stakeholders, residents and the public at large. Questions and Answers

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Resource Protection Section

The Resource Protection Section evaluates and protects Delaware’s water resources through technical assistance, field monitoring and sampling services, regulatory implementation, and standardizing processes for the Division’s inspection, compliance, and enforcement actions.  Professional Licensing The division oversees licensing for wastewater system operators, professionals involved in on-site wastewater treatment

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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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Previous Planning and Research

The Christina-Brandywine River Remediation Restoration Resilience (CBR4) project area has seen more than two decades of planning work, to understand the needs of the community, and scientific research, to understand contamination sources. CBR4 Project Menu

CBR4 Project

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Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Trails Program

The DNREC Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Trails Program (ORPT), formerly known as the Delaware Land and Water Conservation Trust Fund (DTF), is a matching grant program assisting with public park land acquisition and outdoor recreation facility development in Delaware. The

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White Clay Creek State Park Master Plan

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has adopted the White Clay Creek Master Plan. The plan presents a vision and framework for White Clay Creek State Park for the next 10 years. The master plan, created by

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Tri-Valley Trail at White Clay Creek State Park

The White Clay Creek State Park Trail Plan, adopted in 2011 after extensive public outreach, addressed a future segment of the Tri-Valley Trail. Combined with other trails, the proposed Tri-Valley Trail is part of an 18-mile Greater Newark regional trail network. The Division of Parks and Recreation proposes to fill the trail system gap

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Killens Pond State Park Trail Concept Plan

DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation is in the process of developing a plan to provide a vision and a framework for the future trail system of Killens Pond State Park. Bob Ehemann Manager, Park Resource Office 302-739-9241

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Fork Branch Preserve

The Division of Parks and Recreation proposes to build a small trailhead and 2.75 miles of trail to create public access to the Fork Branch Nature Preserve, in Dover. Bob Ehemann Manager, Park Resource Office

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Cape Henlopen State Park Trail Plan

DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation is in the process of updating the Trail Plan for Cape Henlopen State Park. The purpose of the Trail Plan is to provide a vision and a framework for the future trail system in the park. [panel type=”success” heading=”Contact

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Brandywine Zoo Master Plan

DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation held an open house in June of 2018 to present future plans for the Brandywine Zoo, in Wilmington. The Brandywine

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Brandywine Creek Trail Plan

DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation has updated the Brandywine Creek State Park Trail Plan. The purpose of the trail plan is to provide a vision and a framework for the future trail system of Brandywine Creek State Park. Final Trail Plan

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Auburn Valley Master Plan

DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation is in the process of updating the Auburn Valley Master Plan, which guides development of Auburn Valley State Park. About the Park Nestled along the Red Clay Creek and home to the world’s largest operating collection of Stanley Steamer

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Assawoman Canal Trail Concept Plan

A group of local community leaders and area residents interested in expanding bicycle and pedestrian opportunities developed the Assawoman Canal Trail Concept Plan. This work led to the 2015 opening of a 1.1-mile trail segment between Route 26 and Elliott Avenue along the west bank of the canal in Ocean View.

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Planning, Preservation and Development

The Planning, Preservation and Development Section administers land acquisition and protection programs, including the Open Space Program, the Office of Nature Preserves and the Cultural Resource Unit. The

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Resilient Community Partnership: Atlantic Coast Communities and Lewes

DNREC’s Delaware Coastal Programs (DCP) office has partnered with a group of seven unique coastal municipalities on a comprehensive assessment of impervious surface coverage. The project will produce community-specific strategies for reducing existing and future impervious surface coverage and increasing stormwater infiltration. Local Leadership [column

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New Castle Resilient Community Events

The public participation portion of the City of New Castle Resilient Community Partnership included a series of public meetings at which residents and stakeholders were able to brainstorm and contribute their input to the partnership. March 14, 2018 Resilient Community Partnership Public Workshop City of New

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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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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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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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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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Sustainable Planning

A community sustainability plan is a road-map for making a community a socially fair, economically strong, and environmentally healthy place to live, work, and play. Community Sustainability Plan Developed in consultation with community members, a community sustainability plan is a long-term plan to help the community realize its collective sustainability goals.

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Energy Security and Emergency Planning

Energy security planning helps achieve a robust, secure and reliable energy infrastructure that is also resilient. Delaware must be able to restore services rapidly in the event of any disaster. Energy security accounts for responses to disruptions as they occur (extreme weather, infrastructure failure) and for long-term measures that reduce overall risk to and vulnerabilities

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Adapting to Climate Change

Climate change affects the people and places we care about. Adaptation is a way to protect ourselves from the threats of climate change, including shifts in temperature, precipitation, and sea level rise. How Does Climate Change Affect Our Health? Public Health Climate change is complicating the

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