Pages Tagged With: "wildlife"
Review, Revision and Working Together
Introduction This section addresses Elements 6, 7 and 8, discussing the process of developing, reviewing and revising the DEWAP, outreach and coordination with partners, stakeholders, and the general public both during the 2025 Delaware Wildlife Action Plan (DEWAP) revision process and the approach to be taken over the next 10-year implementation period.DEWAP Data
Species and Habitat Monitoring
Introduction Monitoring Delaware’s species of greatest conservation need (SGCN), their habitats, and the effectiveness of the conservation actions identified in the Delaware Wildlife Action Plan will provide information for Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) and its partners to measure success of theExecutive Summary
A Ten-Year Strategy for Wildlife and Habitat Conservation This Delaware Wildlife Action Plan (DEWAP) presents a 10-year strategy for keeping today’s wildlife from becoming tomorrow’s memory. It is comprehensive in terms of the species, habitats, issues, and actions it addresses, in order to fulfill a mandate making Delaware eligible for federal fundingWaterbirds
Waterbird Diversity of Delaware The North American Waterbird Conservation Plan, a project of the Waterbird Conservation for the Americas Initiative (www.waterbirdconservation.org), assessed the abundance and distribution of 210 waterbird species in North America and found that one-third of colonial nesting waterbirds are at risk of serious population declines. Eleven pelagic seabirds areBirds
Avian Diversity of Delaware Norther Bobwhite quail in flowers.Photo: Steve Maslowski / USFWS Species Richness The Delaware State List of Bird Species includes 429 species that have been accepted by the Delaware Bird Records Committee (DBRC) as of 2024. This official state list includes accidental andDelaware Wildlife and SGCN
Introduction The Delaware Wildlife Action Plan (DEWAP) provides information on the distribution and abundance of species, including those with low or declining populations, that exemplify the diversity and health of Delaware’s fish and wildlife. The DEWAP Revision process began with a review of current national, regional, and statewide information available for theThe 2025-2035 Delaware Wildlife Action Plan
Delaware’s Wildlife Action Plan charts a path toward a thriving future for fish, wildlife and the habitats they depend on. Rooted in science and shaped by collaboration, it focuses conservation where it matters most to protect the natural legacy we share. Welcome!Wildlife Action Plan Comment Form
Please use the form below to share your comments with the DNREC team working on the latest revision of the Delaware Wildlife Action Plan and the Wildlife Action Plan Database. Please review the draft Wildlife Action Plan including the data behind the plan and the functionality of the new interface. If youWilmington Falcon Fledge Watch Volunteers
The Wilmington Falcon Fledge Watch relies on community scientist volunteers who dedicate time each year to monitor young Peregrine falcons leaving their nest site – a nest box on the 19th floor of the Brandywine Building in Wilmington. Fledge Watch Training [eme_events template_id=15 category=90
Peregrine Falcon Monitoring and Management
The DNREC Division of Fish and wildlife works with volunteers and other partners to monitor and study Peregrine falcons. A young Peregrine falcon in flight (Photo: Steve Licata) Peregrine falcons are slowly recovering from a steep population decline that occurred between 1950 and 1970 due to the well-known (andWhen Wildlife Cause Problems
Delaware is home to diverse and vibrant communities of fish and wildlife. Thousands of visitors are drawn to Delaware for hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing and photography. As Delaware expands its urban and suburban centers, and the population grows, there is an increase in human-wildlife contact and, sometimes, conflict. The idea of “nuisance wildlife” has becomePrivate Lands Assistance
Delaware is a biologically diverse state with hardwood forests, swamps and coastal marshes that support over 400 species of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. Despite significant strides in conservation, much of the wildlife habitat in Delaware remains isolated, degraded and unprotected as more land is converted to urban, commercial and industrial uses.Spring Turkey Season Hunting Permit Lottery
The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife conducts an annual lottery to issue permits to allow hunters to hunt turkeys on state wildlife areas during the spring wild turkey hunting season, which runs from April 10 to May 9 in 2027. These permits allow a hunter to harvest a wild turkey inAvian Influenza and Wildlife
Avian influenza, also known as “bird flu,” is a term for a group of influenza strains that occur naturally in wild aquatic birds and that may spread to other bird and animal species, including domestic poultry. It is a serious disease concern for poultry producers and animal health officials. [column md=”5″ xclass=”col-xs-12The Perils of Wild Pets: DNREC Warns Against Keeping Non-Domesticated Animals
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.Aquatic Resources Education Center
The Aquatic Resources Education Center, operated by the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife, focuses on wetlands, fishing and other aquatic education themes. Come Find Us Salt Marsh Field Trips [button type=”primary” block=”true”Trapping and Furbearers
Technically, furbearers include all mammals that “bear fur.” However, furbearers have traditionally been classified as mammals that are trapped or hunted primarily for their economic value – their fur. Like many other species, furbearers must be managed in a sustainable and ecologically sound manner to ensure healthy populations throughout Delaware. Mink inDelaware Wildlife Action Plan
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has given formal approval to Delaware’s 2025 Wildlife Action Plan (DEWAP), which will be the State’s conservation blueprint for wildlife diversity for the next 10 years – through 2035. The Plan is required for Delaware to remain eligible for the USFWS’s State Wildlife Grant Program funding.Division of Fish and Wildlife
The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife conserves and manages Delaware’s fish and wildlife and their habitats, and provides fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and boating access on approximately 68,000 acres of public land. The division oversees wildlife resource conservation and control of mosquito populations and offers hunter, boating and aquatic education programs. It provides licensesAmerican Oystercatchers
American oystercatchers are black and white shorebirds with bright orange beaks that feed and nest on the beach. The Beach-Nesting Bird Program monitors the population and productivity of American oystercatchers in Delaware. An American oystercatcher incubating a nest. (Photo: Henrietta Bellman) These birds begin arriving in Delaware in March, startLeast Terns
Least terns are the smallest species of tern in North America, with an orange-yellow beak and mask-like black markings on the head. The Beach-Nesting Bird Program monitors the population and productivity of least terns in Delaware. A male and female least tern conducting a courtship ritual. The male presents the female withBeach-Nesting Birds
Dwindling shorebird populations have landed several species on Delaware’s Endangered Species List. The DNREC Beach-Nesting Bird Program monitors the endangered breeding shorebirds, provides habitat protection, and provides information to the public about beach-nesting species. Signs posted at the Point of Cape Henlopen State Park. (Photo: DNREC Staff) The Beach-Nesting BirdMosquito Control
DNREC’s Mosquito Control Section provides mosquito control services throughout Delaware to maintain quality of life and protect public health by reducing the possibility of mosquito-borne illnesses. For help with nuisance mosquitoes where you live, call one of our field offices: The Northern Delaware Office, 302-836-2555, serving New Castle CountyExploring 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.Wildlife Viewing in Delaware’s State Wildlife Areas
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) provides numerous outdoor recreation opportunities on public lands, including elevated wildlife-viewing structures on several state wildlife areas managed by the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife. Wildlife Area Maps [button type=”primary” block=”true”Delaware Whitetail Deer Records
The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife maintains records of the top hunter-taken whitetail deer in Delaware, using the Boone and Crockett scoring system. The records include whitetails taken in any year. State Deer Rankings All-Time Typical Whitetail Deer Non-TypicalSharks 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.Deer Stands or Ground Blinds on State Wildlife Areas
The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife requires hunters to register temporary deer stands or ground blinds they place on state wildlife areas.Contact Us
DNREC Wildlife Section 302-739-9912
