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🌳July is Parks and Recreation Month!
Delaware's 17 state parks offer outdoor recreation, relaxation and education. This month is a great time to appreciate and enjoy everything Delaware’s parks have to offer.
At DNREC, our Division of Parks and Recreation oversees the construction, operation and protection of our state's parks, nature preserves and historical structures.
Looking for some outdoor fun this month? Here are a few ideas:
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Take a kayak ride through Trap Pond's cypress swamp
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Spend the weekend camping and enjoying s'mores at Killens Pond State Park
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Learn about the military history of Cape Henlopen State Park
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Hop on your bike and explore the many trails that Brandywine Creek State Park has to offer
With so many parks, the possibilities are endless. Plan your next outing by visiting destateparks.com
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Around 300,000 people visit the fair during its July run every year, and many of them stop by the intersection of Holloway Street and Rider Road to check out what DNREC has to offer.
Here’s what’s on offer at the DNREC building during the annual Delaware State Fair from July 17 through 26. Read more
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After six years, the sand bypass system at the Indian River Inlet is reopening. But what exactly is a sand bypass system, how does it help prevent erosion and what do beachgoers need to know? Find all those answers and more in this piece from Outdoor Delaware. Read more
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DNREC Releases Updated Marsh Migration Model
A new DNREC a mapping study models and predicts the most suitable areas for Delaware’s tidal wetlands to migrate as the state experiences sea level rise as an impact of climate change. Marsh migration is the movement of tidal wetlands from their current habitat, away from rising sea levels toward higher and drier ground, to avoid being drowned. Read more
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DNREC Began Sand Bypass Testing July 14
Beach visitors at Delaware Seashore State Park must stay clear of designated areas around the Indian River Inlet starting Monday, July 14, as testing of the sand bypass system has begun. Read more
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DNREC Sets July 14 Temporary Closure of Ommelanden Hunter Ed Training Center’s Trap, Skeet and 5-Stand Ranges
DNREC temporarily closed access to several ranges at the Ommelanden Hunter Education Training Center and Range in New Castle County starting Monday, July 14. A DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife lead recovery project will collect lead and clay target debris from Ommelanden’s trap, skeet and 5-stand fields. The rifle and pistol range will remain open during the project, for which work is expected to be completed by Tuesday, Oct. 7. Read more
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DNREC Soliciting Project Proposals for Surface Water Matching Planning Grants
DNREC is soliciting proposals from Delaware county and municipal governments, conservation districts, and estuary programs to receive matching grants for their surface water project planning. Read more
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DNREC Drops Surf Fishing Reservations for 7 of 12 Drive-on Beaches
DNREC's Division of Parks and Recreations announced changes to its surf fishing reservation system, eliminating the need for reservations to fish at several drive-on, multi-use beaches on weekends and holidays. Read more
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2025/26 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide Now Available
DNREC announced that the 2025/26 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide is now available from recreational license agents throughout the state, at the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife licensing office in the Richardson & Robbins Building located at 89 Kings Highway in Dover, DE 19901, and online via the DNREC website. Read more
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DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation Wins Creative Services Awards
The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation earned two national Communicator Awards from the Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts for its redesigned website and trading card series. Read more
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Speaker Minor-Brown, Sen. Poore, Gov. Meyer, DNREC Announce Funding for New Air Monitoring Near Delaware City Refinery
The General Assembly, Governor Matt Meyer and DNREC will fund new air monitoring around the Delaware City refinery. Read more
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Go behind the scenes with the Delaware Natural Resources Police, a police force in the state with jurisdiction across both land and water. From K-9 tracking and drone operations to environmental crimes and boating safety, these officers serve and protect Delaware’s people and natural resources.
It’s more than enforcement; it’s a mission. Learn more or explore careers with DNRP: de.gov/nrp
Like, comment and subscribe!
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Boat Trip on the St. Jones River
July 18, 3:15 p.m.
Scotton Landing
Trap Shooters Road, Magnolia
More Info
Take A Kid Fishing!
July 19, 9 a.m.
Lums Pond State Park
1068 Howell School Road, Bear
More Info
Storybook Saturday
July 19, 11 a.m.
DuPont Nature Center
2992 Lighthouse Rd., Milford
More Info
Feeding Time at the DuPont Nature Center
July 19, 1 p.m.
DuPont Nature Center
2992 Lighthouse Rd., Milford
More Info
Who Lived in this Shell?
July 19, 2:30 p.m.
DuPont Nature Center
2992 Lighthouse Rd., Milford
More Info
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Feeding Time at the DuPont Nature Center
July 22, 1 p.m.
DuPont Nature Center
2992 Lighthouse Rd., Milford
More Info
Public Hearing: Regulations for State Energy Conservation Code
July 22, 6 p.m.
A Virtual Hearing
More Info
Life in the Bay Seining Program
July 23, 4 p.m.
Woodland Beach
Woodland Ave., Smyrna
More Info
Feeding Time at the DuPont Nature Center
July 24, 1 p.m.
DuPont Nature Center
2992 Lighthouse Rd., Milford
More Info
Take A Kid Fishing!
July 24, 5 p.m.
Silver Lake Park, Dover
More Info
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July 17, 2025
Noon to 5 p.m.
Our Division of Fish and Wildlife will have their Archery Trailer and Vehicle Display. Try your hand at shooting with a bow and arrow.
July 18, 2025
10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sand Sculpting Display on the DNREC porch. Watch as skilled sculptors transform a pile of sand into fantastic new forms.
July 19, 2025
11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Learn about the Delaware Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation.
July 20, 2025
2 to 3 p.m.
Stop by the DNREC porch to see a variety of birds of prey and learn more about them.
July 21, 2025
11 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
Learn all about ticks and mosquitos from Dr. Ashley Kennedy, our tick biologist.
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July 22, 2025
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Brandywine Zoo with animal ambassadors.
10 a.m. to Noon
Play Colonial Games with staff from the First State Heritage Park.
2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Make Sand Art on the DNREC Porch.
July 23, 2025
11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Our Division of Air Quality will have an interactive educational activity with prizes.
July 24, 2025
1 p.m.
Governor Matt Meyer and Secretary Greg Patterson present awards to the photo contest winners and the overall youth fishing tournament winner.
1 to 2 p.m.
Make bluebird boxes on the DNREC porch.
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 It has been a busy and meaningful start to summer across DNREC, from inspiring student-led civic action to agency collaboration and real-time improvements in public access.
Recently, Secretary Patterson joined Sen. Stephanie Hansen, Rep. Sophie Phillips and students from across the state to officially name the blue dasher dragonfly (Pachydiplax longipennis) as Delaware’s first state dragonfly. Nearly 900 students participated in the Delaware Dragonfly Project, researching species, casting votes and creating essays and 3D art to support their selection. The project is a strong example of civic engagement and environmental education in action.
As the General Assembly session approached its end, Secretary Patterson and legislative liaison Doug Denison joined Rep. Larry Lambert, Sen. Hansen and Rep. Jeff Hilovsky to highlight how collaboration supports DNREC’s mission to protect, preserve and enhance Delaware’s environment. DNREC works closely with lawmakers to help shape science-based and practical environmental policy.
#FieldTripFriday also took us to visit several state park beaches to meet with our Parks teams and discuss recent updates to the surf fishing reservation system. Based on visitor feedback and site evaluations, reservations are no longer required at seven less-crowded drive-on beaches, including Beach Plum Island, Key Box, Conquest, Faithful Steward, York, Middle and South. Reservations will continue to be required at high-traffic locations such as Gordons Pond, Herring Point, Navy Crossing, Point Crossing and 3Rs.
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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Recreational Water Program
Our Recreational Water Program samples beaches across Delaware, regularly testing for indicator bacteria from mid-May through mid-September. Samples are cultured to detect viable Enterococcus indicator bacteria that correlate with potential increased risk of illness from swimming or wading. While indicator bacteria levels, which may be elevated after rainfall, typically return to normal quickly, DNREC issues swimming advisories when sample results exceed water quality standards so the public can make informed decisions. Learn more and subscribe to water quality alerts at de.gov/recwater.
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 Meet Small Business Ombudsman Michelle Jacobs! 💼
“I love working with people I love; I enjoy coming to work every day. Some people don’t have that, and to me, that’s a luxury,” says Michelle Jacobs.
Michelle has been with the DNREC for 17 years, including 12 in her current role as small business ombudsman. In this position, she helps businesses understand and comply with Delaware’s environmental laws and regulations when building a new company or relocating an existing one to the First State.
A key part of her role is overseeing DNREC’s Regulatory Advisory Service, which connects businesses with department representatives who provide guidance on permits and environmental policies. “It’s a free service we offer to businesses, and what I do is collect basic information from them that speaks to the different kinds of permitting programs we have,” she explains. Michelle sends that information to a committee of DNREC staff from various programs, who then meet with the business owner or consultant to answer questions and offer tailored support.
Early in her career, Michelle didn’t envision herself working in community services. After high school, she took a job as an office clerk and quickly found her niche in organizing, scheduling and coordinating. She later earned a degree in business management. “Don’t be afraid to take a chance on something. Branch out. Get into something different, even if it’s not what you normally do,” she says. “Try new things and get those new experiences, because you never know where they’ll lead you.”
She encourages local small businesses to take advantage of the Regulatory Advisory Service, which can help identify potential permitting needs and costs early in the process, saving time. Anyone with questions is encouraged to visit: dnrec.delaware.gov/community-services/business-assistance.
Outside of work, Michelle enjoys spending time with her family. “For fun, we like to go camping. I work in the environmental field, so we’re outdoorsy people. There’s something about the campfire, just sitting around, relaxing and connecting. Put away the phones, put away all the technology and have a good time,” she says. She also enjoys crabbing in the summer and finds peace near the water, listening to the waves.
Thank you, Michelle, for your 17 years of service to DNREC. We appreciate your dedication and look forward to your continued contributions!
Meet Some of the 2025 DNREC Summer Interns
Secretary Greg Patterson and Deputy Secretary Dayna Cobb met with some of the interns at the St. Jones Reserve Visitor Center.
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