|
|
We kicked off the month observing Public Service Recognition Week (May 4-10) by pausing to recognize and thank all of the DNREC staff who advance our mission to protect, preserve and enhance Delaware’s environment for current and future generations. Public service at DNREC takes many forms: monitoring air and water quality, protecting wildlife, maintaining our parks, enforcing environmental regulations, cleaning up our state, planning for the future, responding to emergencies and more.
We also celebrated National Air Quality Awareness Week (May 5-9), highlighting the importance of understanding and protecting the air we breathe. Delaware’s real-time air quality data is available at de.gov/airdata, and you can track ozone and particulate matter levels using the EPA’s AirNow app or Airnow.gov. You can even access daily ozone and particulate matter forecasts during prime ozone season (May–September) and sign up to receive alerts when an air quality action day is forecast! Sign up information is available at de.gov/aqi.
As we look ahead, the month is filled with more opportunities to learn, observe, protect and enjoy Delaware’s natural beauty.
Celebrate American Wetlands Month
Wetlands are some of Delaware’s most valuable ecosystems. They improve water quality, provide habitat for fish, wildlife and rare plants, and they protect us from flooding and storm damage — and they’re worth protecting. To learn more, check out the DNREC Wetland Monitoring and Assessment Program (WMAP) Blog and download our Wetlands Activity Book to help students and families discover why wetlands matter.
Tick Awareness
May is National Lyme Disease Awareness Month — a great reminder to stay tick-safe while exploring the outdoors. Whether you’re hiking, gardening, or just enjoying the backyard, take a moment to brush up on our Top 10 Tick Facts or report a tick encounter at de.gov/ticks.
Delaware Flood Awareness Week: May 12-15
As the lowest-lying state in the nation, Delaware is especially vulnerable to flooding. During Flood Awareness Week, learn how rising seas and stronger storms affect our communities — and how you can be prepared. Visit de.gov/floodrisk to find resources, risk maps and planning tools.
National Safe Boating Week: May 17-23
Heading out on the water this summer? National Safe Boating Week is a perfect time to brush up on boating laws, safety tips and life jacket use. DNREC’s boating safety team offers guidance and classes to help ensure everyone enjoys Delaware’s waterways responsibly. Learn more at de.gov/boatsafety.
|
|
|
Many communities across the United States face challenges related to air quality and respiratory health, especially as it pertains to emissions from diesel engines. In Delaware, transportation is a major contributor to pollution, producing 75% of the state’s nitrogen oxide emissions, which contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone. But Delaware is also taking advantage of a federal program to clean up diesel pollution, replacing and retrofitting older diesel vehicles like school buses and trash trucks. Read more
|
|
As anyone who’s searched for them knows, finding snakes, turtles, frogs and other reptiles or amphibians isn’t always easy. For conservationists, who must develop detailed plans around propagating species that are typically rare to begin with, it can be even more difficult. Experts have too often lacked good data about these critters, including where exactly they live. Mapping the range of every species in our state is a very big task. But, thanks to a very extensive project that took the better part of a decade, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control now has a better idea about the location of reptiles and amphibians here. Read more
|
|
Delaware Wildlife Action Plan Draft ‘Species of Greatest Conservation Need’ List Ready for Public Comment
At the heart of DNREC’s revising and updating of the 2025 Delaware Wildlife Action Plan is a list of the state’s Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN), of which the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife and partners on the plan have identified more than 1,000, including 300 plant listings. DNREC is now seeking feedback from the public on the SGCN list. Read more
|
Delaware Natural Resources Police to host 39th Annual Youth Fishing Tournament, Set for Saturday, June 7
Delaware Natural Resources Police (DNRP) will host the 39th Annual Youth Fishing Tournament from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, June 7. The tournament, co-sponsored by the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife, is to be held rain or shine at a public pond in each county. Read more
|
Delaware’s Open Burning Ban – Also Known as the Ozone Season – to Begin May 1 and Run Through Sept. 30
DNREC reminds the public that Delaware’s Ozone Season and open burning ban took effect May 1 and continues through Sept. 30. Read more
|
DNREC Seeks Ocean Connection Stories
Delawareans are encouraged to share their stories of their connections with the ocean ahead of Ocean Month. Read more
|
DNREC Works to Revise 2025 Delaware Wildlife Action Plan
DNREC has begun an update of the Delaware Wildlife Action Plan for the next 10 years, kicking off a process that will include federal, state and non-government conservation partners, along with wildlife experts, key stakeholders and the public. The theme of the plan focuses on keeping today’s wildlife from becoming tomorrow’s memories. Read more
|
DNREC Extends Electric Vehicle Incentive Programs
Delaware is extending its Clean Vehicle rebate programs, which include new and used electric vehicles, as well as qualifying public charging stations. Read more
|
|
|
|
Check out this message from our leaders in honor of Public Service Recognition Week. Like, comment and subscribe to our YouTube Channel!
|
|
Boating Safety Class
May 17, 8 a.m.
Gulls Way Campground
30738 Gullsway Dr., Dagsboro
More Info
Boating Safety Class
May 17, 8 a.m.
Pot Nets Community Center
33076 Rock Cove, Millsboro
More Info
Nest Box Construction at the St. Jones Reserve
May 17, 10 a.m.
St. Jones Reserve
818 Kitts Hummock Rd., Dover
More Info
|
Storybook Saturday
May 17, 11 a.m.
DuPont Nature Center
2992 Lighthouse Rd., Milford
More Info
Horseshoe Crab Beach Walk
May 17, 1 p.m.
Marvel Drive Parking Lot
Bay Ave. and Marvel Drive, Slaughter Beach
More Info
Basic Hunter Education Field Day
May 18, 8 a.m.
Little Creek Hunter Education Training Center
3018 Bayside Drive, Dover
More Info
|
|
 A recent Field Trip Friday took us to Wilmington’s MLK Jr. Boulevard, home to DNREC’s most advanced air monitoring station. Delaware has been monitoring air quality since the 1950s, and this site now tracks pollutants like ozone, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), along with real-time weather data. This information helps guide our clean air initiatives and is reported to the EPA and available at de.gov/airdata. You can also sign up for ozone and particulate matter forecasts during the summer at de.gov/aqi.
We also joined our Fish and Wildlife team at one of Delaware’s last remaining bog turtle habitats, guided by herpetologist Nate Nazdrowicz and biological aide Maya Walker. With fewer than 20 adult bog turtles left in the wild here, efforts are underway to raise hatchlings at the Brandywine Zoo and rebuild populations through habitat restoration and regional partnerships.
Want a firsthand look? Check out our #FieldTripFriday playlist.
|
|
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 Delaware 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.
|
|
|
 Meet Edna Stetzar, program manager for the fisheries section of DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife. 🎣🌊
Edna began working for DNREC shortly after graduating from Ohio State University in 1992, where she studied wildlife management and earned her degree in natural resources. “I worked in the wildlife section of DNREC. I was a seasonal worker, and I was doing work with the non-game and endangered species program,” she says. “I did that for about a year.” A fisheries job opened soon after, and she decided to try something new.
“I realized I really liked being on the water and being around fish because I grew up fishing,” she says.
As program manager, Edna’s goal is to support her staff and the projects they manage. “My main goal is to make sure everybody has all the equipment they need, and that we can get our projects done and meet our grant objectives,” she says.
Edna describes DNREC as one big family. “There’s a lot of experience, knowledge and talent in the department. If you need answers, there’s usually someone who can help you,” she says. “I like the different partnerships we have — both within our department and with others outside it.”
One of Edna’s favorite memories with DNREC is serving on the committee for the annual Becoming an Outdoors-Woman event. The program provides workshops and opportunities for women to learn outdoor skills and build confidence. “We did an ecology course. We would do seining and teach people about the organisms that live in the Inland Bays,” she recalls. “Then the participants would go out fishing so they could see the whole food chain — from the smallest things to catching the fish.”
Edna’s advice for anyone interested in wildlife management is to follow your passion. “It’s easy to take a job that pays more, but if it’s not what you love, you won’t be happy,” she says.
In her free time, Edna enjoys being outdoors — especially gardening, camping and hiking. “What I like to do most is hike. Just go off and do a day trip,” she says. “I’ll go fishing with my brother-in-law. He has a boat, and we’ll go fishing together in the Inland Bays or along the shore.”
Thank you, Edna, for your hard work and dedication to DNREC and our Division of Fish and Wildlife.
|
|
|
|
|
