|
|
Delaware high school students said “YES!” to learning how to protect our Earth at the 6th annual Youth Environmental Summit (YES!) on Friday, Feb. 28, at the Chase Riverfront Center in Wilmington. This student-led event brings together the next generation of environmental stewards to collaborate and gain knowledge from experts in the field.
During the mid-day plenary session, Secretary Greg Patterson delivered a speech highlighting the importance of young environmental activists in an everchanging climate. “You can be an advocate and a change-maker in lots of ways and DNREC is one of them. Our department provides opportunities for young people with initiatives like our internship program which offers dozens of internships throughout the department,” said Secretary Patterson.
The DNREC table was buzzing with activity all morning with experts from multiple divisions showcasing their knowledge to future environmental leaders. As a sponsor of the event, DNREC hosted a table to share information about environmental justice, climate change and clean energy, placing valuable resources in the hands of students motivated to be the change.
|
|
|
As part of its duties overseeing Delaware’s environment and wildlife, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control regularly responds to fish kills. These die-offs can occur in bodies of water as disparate as an ocean or a neighborhood stormwater basin and can consist of just a few fish or literal millions. Read more
|
|
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. Read more
|
|
Youth-Only Day to Open Upstate Trout Season Saturday, April 5 on New Castle County Streams
Delaware’s 2025 upstate stream trout season will open for youth under age 16 at 7 a.m. on Saturday, April 5, followed by the opening of the regular trout season for all anglers a half-hour before sunrise the next day, Sunday, April 6. Fishing will be allowed on youth opening day from 7 a.m. to a half-hour after sunset and from a half-hour before sunrise to one half-hour after sunset thereafter, unless otherwise restricted by area rules. Read more
|
DNREC Accepting Community Water Quality Improvement Project Grant Proposals
DNREC is again encouraging nonprofit groups, conservation districts, community organizations and homeowners’ associations to submit project proposals to be considered for matching grant funds from DNREC’s Community Water Quality Improvement Grants program. Read More
|
Trussum Pond Near Laurel Closed for Boat Ramp, Parking Area Improvements
DNREC announced that Trussum Pond, managed by the DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation, closed March 17 for a construction improvements project expected to be completed in mid-April. Read more
|
DNREC Mosquito Control Section Set to Spray Woodland Pool Habitats, Working to Cut Down Swarms at the Larval Stage
DNREC Mosquito Control Section rolls out its annual spring spraying of woodland pools to control aquatic immature (larval) mosquitoes as early as Tuesday, March 18, with spray operations continuing through mid-April, weather permitting. The spring spray campaign to combat the emergence of adult biting mosquitoes begins in southern Sussex County, then expand into Kent and New Castle counties over the next several weeks. Read more
|
Delawareans Can Buy Composters Online at a Discount Through April 3 Via DNREC Promotion
DNREC is promoting an online discount sale of compost bins through April 3, offering composters, rain barrels and conservation accessories to Delawareans at reduced prices. Read more
|
Volunteers Needed for April 5 Cleanup at Concord Pond
As part of a month-long celebration of Earth Day in April 2025, DNREC is seeking volunteers to join this year’s cleanup event at Concord Pond, a popular fishing and boating destination near Seaford. Volunteers are asked to pre-register for the event to be held from 10 a.m. to noon. Read more
|
Get a Head Start on Celebrating Earth Month: Register Early for the April 12 Christina River Watershed Cleanup
Volunteers are invited to join Delaware’s month-long Earth Day celebration in April by helping cleanup 13 sites throughout New Castle County during the annual Christina River Watershed Cleanup. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, April 12. Registration is open through Thursday, April 10, with hundreds of volunteers expected to rally at sites from Brandywine Hundred south through Glasgow and Bear. Read more
|
|
|
|
Students from across Delaware came together for the sixth annual Youth Environmental Summit — and we were thrilled to be part of it!
As a proud sponsor, DNREC was excited to support this platform for young leaders to learn, collaborate and explore solutions for a more sustainable future.
Home energy costs can take a big chunk out of a family’s budget — but for more than 400 Delaware low-income households in program year 2024, our Weatherization Assistance Program made a real difference. Funded, in part, by approximately $3.75 million from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), the program helped families have more efficient homes and lower energy bills.
Hear from Delawareans who have benefited and see how RGGI is making a difference:
|
|
Boating Safety Class
March 22, 9:30 a.m.
Harrington Public Library
110 E. Center Street, Harrington
More Info
Turkey Hunting Course
March 23, 9 a.m.
Ommelanden Hunter Education and Training Center
1205 River Road, New Castle
More Info
Public Hearing: Proposed Amendments to the Shellfish Aquaculture Regulations
March 25, 6 p.m.
Virtual Hearing
More Info
|
Public Hearing: Graver Technologies Coastal Zone Permit
March 26, 6 p.m.
Virtual Hearing
More Info
Community Meeting and Open House: Well Testing Near Delaware State Fire School, Dover
March 27, 6:30 p.m.
Delaware State Fire School — Dover
1463 Chestnut Grove Rd.
More Info
Boating Safety Class
April 5, 8 a.m.
DNREC Lewes Field Office
901 Pilottown Rd.. Lewes
More Info
|
|
 Continuing our Field Trip Fridays, Secretary Greg Patterson and DNREC staff visited the Murderkill Jetty Rehabilitation Project to to see firsthand the work being done to strengthen Delaware’s coastal infrastructure. With the North Jetty nearly complete and work underway on the South Jetty, the project is improving structural integrity, enhancing safety and increasing resilience. Expected to finish by mid-April, the upgraded jetty will be ready just in time for the return of horseshoe crabs.
Secretary Patterson and DNREC colleagues also toured Brandywine Park, the Bancroft Bridge site and Brandywine Zoo. They explored the gardens and monuments surrounding Josephine Fountain, discussed the replacement of the Bancroft Bridge — an urgent priority following Hurricane Ida flood damage — and got a behind-the-scenes look at conservation efforts at Brandywine Zoo. The visit even included feeding red panda Scarlett a midday snack! These field trips provide DNREC leadership with valuable opportunities to connect with staff, ask questions and gain fresh perspectives on the department’s vital work.
|
|
Delaware Recycles
Recycling conserves valuable natural resources and energy, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and helps us take responsibility for our waste today, as opposed to leaving a burden for future generations.
Delaware has one recycling program that is the same whether at home, at work or at school. To learn more about how to recycle or check out our Recyclopedia tool that takes the guess work out of recycling, visit de.gov/recycling.
|
Digital DNREC E-Permitting
Use the Digital DNREC ePermitting system for recreational fishing and hunting licenses, license exempt numbers, deer harvest report cards and tags, deer damage assistance, hunter education, waterfowl stamps, permits, Conservation Access Passes and harvest reporting.
|
Environmental Justice at DNREC
We provide free interpretation services, upon request, to help ensure full participation by all communities, primarily those with limited English proficiency.
Requests for oral interpretation of an application or assistance with submitting a public comment must be made no later than 10 days prior to the close of that application’s comment period. Requests for live oral interpretation must be made no later than 10 days prior to date of the DNREC-hosted public hearing, meeting, or community event.
Submit a request using the interpretation services request form: de.gov/dnrectranslations
Learn more at de.gov/titlevi
|
Weatherization Assistance Program
The program, run through the Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy, helps homeowners and renters cut their energy bills by weatherproofing and improving the energy efficiency of their homes. More information on this offering will soon be available at de.gov/wap.
|
|
|
|
|
|
