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🌊 June is Ocean Month!
The ocean shapes Delaware’s natural beauty, economy and way of life, from Cape Henlopen’s sandy shores to the deep waters off our coast. June is National Ocean Month, a time to recognize the value of our coastal and ocean resources and the role we all play in protecting them.
At DNREC, our Coastal Programs team leads critical work to support ocean health and coastal resilience. Some current initiatives include:
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Developing Delaware’s Ocean and Bay Plan, which will guide the management and protection of our offshore and bay resources through science-based planning and public input.
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Ongoing research, monitoring and education, such as tracking coastal water quality, restoring habitats and supporting estuarine science through the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve.
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Sharing “Voices of the Tide,” a storytelling project that invited Delawareans to submit personal reflections, photos and memories connected to the ocean. By capturing personal experiences, these stories highlight our bond with the ocean and contribute valuable insight to the Ocean and Bay Plan.
To read the collection of selected "Voices of the Tide" stories, visit de.gov/oceanmonth. 🌎💙
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In northern New Castle County, a tiny population of North America’s smallest turtle is receiving a lift thanks to efforts from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. While once home to populations at several different sites, today Delaware has only about 20 adult bog turtles across two habitats. However, DNREC is working to help the species thrive once more. Read more
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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
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Delaware Issues Tick Safety Tips as Peak Season Arrives
June marks the beginning of peak tick season in Delaware. The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) and DNREC remind Delawareans to take proactive steps to protect themselves, their families, and pets this summer. Read more
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Comments Sought on Draft Delaware Wildlife Action Plan Draft List of Threats and Conservation Actions
DNREC continues the revision process of updating the Delaware Wildlife Action Plan (DEWAP), a 10-year conservation strategy that will guide conservation efforts for the state’s wildlife and their habitats through 2035. Read more
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Smyrna Angler, Age 9, Wins 39th Annual Youth Fishing Tournament
DNREC announced winners and the overall state champion after more than 150 young anglers cast their lines Saturday, June 7 in the 39th Annual Delaware Youth Fishing Tournament, hosted and sponsored by the Delaware Natural Resources Police. Read more
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Funding Available for Tree Planting Projects
Organizations seeking grant funding for Spring 2026 tree planting projects as part of the state’s Tree for Every Delawarean Initiative have until July 21 to submit their application. Read more
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DNREC Announces Reopening of Ingrams Pond Boat Ramp After Reconstruction Project and Expansion of Amenities
DNREC announced the reopening of the Ingrams Pond Boat Ramp near Millsboro following a four-month construction project to upgrade the facility. Read more
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DNREC to Hold Regulatory Review Hearings June 24, 25 and 26
DNREC has initiated a comprehensive review of Department regulations that have not been amended during the past four years. By statute, every state executive branch agency must reassess older regulations on a four-year cycle to determine whether these regulations should be modified or eliminated. Read more
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Meet Delaware's favorite fish hawks, Della and Warren! 💙 Our staff and volunteers at the DuPont Nature Center say this pair returns year after year to the same nest at the nature center, raising their young and braving storms, soaring skies and sibling squabbles. From building nests with beach balls and crab shells to snatching giant fish from the bay, their story is wild, resilient and totally binge-worthy.
📺 Watch them LIVE on our Mispillion Harbor Osprey camera!
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Take A Kid Fishing!
June 20, 9 a.m.
Aquatic Resources Education Center
2520 Lighthouse Road, Smyrna
More Info
Horseshoe Crab Sing-Along
June 20, 10 a.m.
DuPont Nature Center
2992 Lighthouse Rd., Milford
More Info
Horseshoe Crab Jeopardy
June 20, 1 p.m.
DuPont Nature Center
2992 Lighthouse Rd., Milford
More Info
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Seining the Bay
June 20, 3 p.m.
Slaughter Beach Pavilion
359 Bay Avenue, Milford
More Info
Basic Hunter Education Course
June 21, 8 a.m.
Little Creek Hunter Education Training Center
3018 Bayside Drive, Dover
More Info
Storybook Saturday
June 21, 11 a.m.
DuPont Nature Center
2992 Lighthouse Rd., Milford
More Info
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 For our last #FieldTripFriday in May, we met with Delaware Natural Resources Police for a boat tour of the Indian River Inlet to learn more about what officers patrol, including oyster harvesting areas, and how they handle violations on the water. Later, we hit Delaware Seashore State Park with the DNRP Park Officers to meet up with the Delaware State Park Beach Patrol just in time to see rookie lifeguards training for summer duty.
To kick off June, we visited Delaware’s wetlands, where we explored tidal marshes and hidden woodland ponds. Secretary Patterson joined our Wetland Monitoring and Assessment Program at the McKay House, a quiet but critical field office located within the Woodland Beach Wildlife Area.
In our most recent FTF, Secretary Patterson and DNREC staff visited Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park at Lums Pond State Park for an adrenaline-filled climb through the treetops.
Before taking to the trees, park staff gave us a behind-the-scenes tour of Lums Pond, including the campgrounds, the future site of new cabins and the radio control flying field.
Want a firsthand look? Check out our #FieldTripFriday playlist and follow us on social!
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Air Quality Forecast
We provide regular air quality forecasts and an air quality index to help you know if you need to take precautions. When planning outings this summer, be sure to check the forecast by visiting de.gov/aqi. You can also view Delaware’s real-time air quality data at , and you can track ozone and particulate matter levels using the EPA’s AirNow app or .
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Community Environmental Project Fund
The Community Environmental Project Fund (CEPF) supports community-led environmental restoration projects in areas affected by pollution. Grants can fund cleanup, green space creation, energy efficiency and resilience initiatives. The next application round opens in summer 2025, a great opportunity for nonprofit, municipal or grassroots groups looking to drive local change. Learn more at de.gov/cepf.
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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.
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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.
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DNREC Language Services
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
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Mosquito Control Section
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. It uses the latest Integrated pest management approach, combining source reduction with the judicious use of insecticides. Learn more at de.gov/mosquito.
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 Meet Cape Henlopen State Park Superintendent Jayce Madden!
Jayce started working for DNREC in 2016. “I was hired on as park manager, which would now be assistant superintendent, at Killens Pond State Park. I was there for about two years,” she shares. After her time at Killens Pond, she moved to Cape Henlopen State Park to become the park manager, and in 2020, she became superintendent.
Killens Pond State Park is a 1,488-acre park in Felton featuring a waterpark and many trails looping around the pond. Located where Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean about 70 miles to the south, Cape Henlopen State Park is a 5,000-acre natural wonder. “They’re both state parks, but they’re vastly different. Killens Pond is an inland pond park. They have a gigantic water park; we have this water park,” she says, referring to the ocean.
As superintendent of Delaware’s largest state park, Jayce oversees all park operations. “My job is responding to and addressing things that happen throughout the day,” she says. Each workday begins with a list of tasks she and her 17 staff members need to accomplish.
With a bachelor’s degree in parks and recreation from Shepherd College in West Virginia, Jayce took advantage of every opportunity to pursue her career in outdoor recreation. Her advice on getting into the field? “Just take the opportunities. It doesn’t matter if it’s picking up trash or handling revenue in the park office. Everything is beneficial. It’s also going to help you figure out what you like,” she urges.
Jayce describes Cape Henlopen as her happy place. You can often find her surf fishing on the beach or exploring the trails, even on her days off. “What would we do if Cape Henlopen State Park wasn’t here? We bring tourism to the area, but at the same time we’re protecting greenspace and the resources. We’re sharing history,” she says.
Thank you, Jayce, for maintaining the beauty of Cape Henlopen State Park and helping people make memories year-round by the ocean.
Learn more about Cape Henlopen State Park.
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