The DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship participated in the annual Delaware State Fair in Harrington. The division’s exhibit consisted of information on conservation programs, nonpoint source pollution, freshwater mussels, tax ditches, sediment and stormwater training, and more. Visitors to the exhibit saw a demonstration on freshwater mussel’s filtering capabilities and were able to sign up to receive information and assistance related to practices that improve water quality.

The Nonpoint Source Program and University of Delaware Cooperative Extension hosted a Home Stormwater Workshop at the UD Paradee Center in Dover. The workshop included presentations on techniques used for managing excess stormwater, as well as grants and available funding through DNREC’s Conservation Programs Section. Twenty 55-gallon rain barrels were distributed during the event.

The Conservation Programs Section participated in the Delaware River and Bay Authority’s World Environment Day event in New Castle. The exhibit consisted of information on conservation programs, nonpoint source pollution and actions that can be taken to help reduce nutrient and sediment pollution entering waterways.

The Nonpoint Source Program participated in a Native Plant Sale and Pollinator Workshop hosted by the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance at the Seaford Public Library. The exhibit consisted of information on conservation programs and home-based practices that improve water quality.

The Nonpoint Source Program participated in the Water Family Fest in Ocean View, hosted by DNREC’s Division of Watershed Stewardship and the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays. The exhibit focused on techniques used to reduce nutrient and sediment pollution entering local waterways and included a hands-on “mini rain garden” planting activity.

The Conservation Programs Section participated in the Dover Stormwater Day event at Silver Lake Park in Dover. The section provided an exhibit highlighting practices that reduce nutrient and sediment pollution entering local waterways through stormwater runoff.

The Nonpoint Source Program participated in the Trap Pond Nature Festival in Laurel. The program provided an exhibit focused on practices that can be used to help reduce nutrient and sediment pollution entering local waterways. All proceeds from the event are used for improvements to Trap Pond State Park.

The Conservation Programs Section participated in the Make a Splash event in Kitts Hummock at the St. Jones Reserve. The annual event invites elementary school students to learn about Delaware’s water resources and estuaries. The section provided an exhibit presenting information on nonpoint source pollution and led a hands-on activity which introduced students to actions that can be taken at home to help improve the health of waterways.

The Nonpoint Source Program volunteered at the Christina River Watershed Cleanup in New Castle County. The Christina River Watershed Cleanup’s mission is to remove man-made debris from within the watershed, while raising public awareness for pollution prevention. Since the Cleanup began in 1992, more than 360 tons of tires, appliances, household items, and other trash have been cleared from within the watershed.

The Nonpoint Source Program participated in the Delaware Envirothon at the Blackbird Creek Reserve. The Delaware Envirothon is a problem-solving natural resource education program for high school students. The event provides students with an integrated approach to exploring six natural resource categories and it tests their creativity, analytical thinking and team building skills in a competitive format. The Envirothon is sponsored, in part, by DNREC.

The Nonpoint Source Program participated in the Concord Pond Cleanup in Seaford, where volunteers removed over half a ton of trash around the pond and Deep Creek. The annual event, in celebration of Earth Month, is hosted by the DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship and the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance.

The Nonpoint Source Program participated in DNREC’s annual Beach Grass Planting at North Indian River Inlet. Every spring since 1990, except when pandemic conditions prevented it, dedicated volunteers have stabilized Delaware’s sand dunes by planting more than 5 million stems of Cape American beach grass along ocean and bay beaches.

The Nonpoint Source Program participated in the Youth Environmental Summit (known as YES!) at the Chase Center in Wilmington. YES! is a statewide summit for all Delaware high school students with an interest in protecting the earth. Program staff attended with an exhibit focused on reducing nutrient and sediment pollution by adopting home-based practices, such as planting native trees, creating pollinator habitat, installing rain barrels and more.

The Conservation Programs Section participated in the Delaware Agriculture Week event, hosted by the University of Delaware in Harrington. During the event, industry experts led sessions exploring the latest and most valuable innovations in agronomy, fruits and vegetables, woodland management, soil health, animal science, and more. With exhibitors and vendors in attendance, the event provides opportunities to network with local and national organizations, agricultural businesses, and allied partners. Section staff attended with an exhibit providing information on practices that reduce nonpoint source pollution entering waterways.