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October paints Delaware’s natural spaces in shades of crimson, gold and amber — a reminder of how vibrant and varied our landscapes truly are. From the bright canopies of White Clay Creek to the mirrored reflections at Trap Pond, fall foliage brings a burst of color to every corner of the First State.
It’s the perfect season for a hike beneath rustling leaves, a paddle through quiet waters or a drive along tree-lined backroads. Wherever you go, nature is putting on its annual show — and everyone’s invited to enjoy it.
Learn more about fall foliage like at Brandywine Creek State Park pictured above on Outdoor Delaware.
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Despite Declining Numbers, Hunting Still has Major Benefits for Participants and Delaware
Fifty years ago, roughly 1 in 20 Delawareans hunted, according to license data maintained by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. Today, that figure is more like 1 in 50. But that doesn’t mean hunting’s importance has diminished for those who do take part, as the director of the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife explains in this piece. Read more
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PFAS in Delaware: How the First State Is Tackling Toxic Forever Chemicals
Significant progress has been made in combating forever chemicals in Delaware in recent years, and we continue to learn more about presence of these emerging contaminants in our land, water and bodies. Officially known as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances but more commonly referred to simply as PFAS, the chemicals have been used in thousands of products, including cookware, clothing and firefighting foam, for decades following their creation in the mid-20th century. Learn more about how the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is responding to these contaminants. Read more
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Public Input Sought for DNREC’s 2025 Delaware Wildlife Action Plan
DNREC will hold two listening sessions this month to garner public input as the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife continues the revision process of updating the 2025 Delaware Wildlife Action Plan, a 10-year strategic plan to guide wildlife conservation management in the First State. Read more
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DNREC Sets New Recreational Possession Limit for Spot Fish
DNREC has established a daily recreational possession limit of 50 for spot fish to keep Delaware in compliance with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC) Fishery Management Plan for Spot. Read more
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Delaware Drivers Urged to Take Extra Caution Now to Avoid Deer Collisions
DNREC, the Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) within the Department of Safety and Homeland Security and Delaware State Police (DSP) urge motorists to start safe driving habits now, before deer activity peaks later this fall. Read more
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Registration for the 2026 Delaware Wetlands Conference is Now Open
The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has opened registration for the 11th Delaware Wetlands Conference. The large, professional event will be held at the Chase Center on the Riverfront, Tuesday, Jan. 27 and Wed., Jan. 28, 2026, in Wilmington. Read more
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DNREC Launches New Online Tracking Tool Enabling Easier Access to Permit Information
DNREC now offers homeowners, contractors and the public an easier way to access information about several environmental permits. New interactive dashboards from the DNREC Division of Water will enable users to check the status of applications, view their place in the review queue and retrieve issued permit documents. Read more
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Volunteers Remove Over 5,000 Pounds of Trash from Delaware Beaches
Volunteers across Delaware joined together on Sept. 13 for the 38th annual Coastal Cleanup organized by DNREC. Individuals, families and community groups came out to more than 45 sites – from Fenwick Island to Battery Park – and removed 5,121 pounds of trash from shorelines, wetland and waterways. More than 950 volunteers of all ages signed up for the three-hour event. Read more
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DNREC Accepting Community Water Quality Improvement Project Grant Proposals
DNREC encourages nonprofit groups, conservation districts, community organizations and homeowners’ associations to submit project proposals to be considered for matching grant funds of up to $75,000 from DNREC’s Community Water Quality Improvement Grants program. Read more
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Autumn Rolls in with Diverse Programs at Delaware State Parks
Delaware State Parks offers something for everyone during the fall season to get involved, be active or create memories for individuals and families. Come join us! Read more
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Limited Open Burning in Delaware Resumed Oct. 1 With End of Ozone Season
DNREC reminds Delawareans that open burning of materials such as tree limbs, brush and branches legally resumed this year on Thursday, Oct. 1 – the date when the state’s annual open burning ban is lifted. Residential open burning of cut or fallen limbs, dead branches, or shrubbery is allowed from Oct. 1 to April 30, with a maximum of 27 cubic feet of yard waste burned at one time. Read more
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Delaware’s Piping Plover Population Experiences Slight Increase but Diminished Breeding Success
Beach-nesting piping plovers – a federally-listed threatened species that’s also a Delaware state-listed endangered species – experienced mixed results in Delaware in 2025. DNREC is reporting an increase in adult pair numbers, which helped bolster the state’s plover population, but nesting success faltered, largely due to predation and unfavorable climate conditions. Read more
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Journey into Fall with a Delaware State Parks Wagon Ride
Enjoy an exciting and accessible way to see spectacular fall foliage or star-studded skies on an old-fashioned wagon ride at eight Delaware state parks this fall. Read more
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🌊 Why do hundreds of volunteers show up each year for Delaware’s Coastal Cleanup? Hear it in their own words — and see the impact: more than 5,000 pounds of trash removed from our beaches in 2025!
Like, comment and subscribe!
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Blackbird Creek Fall Festival
October 18, 10 a.m.
Blackbird Creek Reserve
810 Blackbird Landing Rd., Townsend
More Info
Public Hearing: Proposed Boating Regulation Amendments
October 22, 6 p.m.
Virtual
More Info
Wildlife Action Plan Listening Session
October 28, 1 p.m.
Little Creek Hunter Education Training Center
3018 Bayside Dr., Dover
More Info
Wildlife Action Plan Listening Session
October 29, 6 p.m.
Virtual
More Info
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City of Dover Tree Giveaway
November 1, 9 a.m.
John W. Pitts Recreational Center
10 Electric Ave., Dover
More Info
Fall Tree Planting at Blackbird Creek Reserve
November 1, 9 a.m.
Blackbird Creek Reserve
810 Blackbird Landing Rd., Townsend (Pre-registration Required)
More Info
Trivia Night with the John Dickinson Plantation
November 1, 5 p.m.
St. Jones Reserve
818 Kitts Hummock Rd., Dover
More Info
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 From wetlands to waterways and wildlife to clean transportation, this month’s Field Trip Fridays showcased how DNREC and partners are advancing science, stewardship and innovation across Delaware.
At the Blackbird Creek Reserve managed by the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve (DNERR) in Townsend, Secretary Patterson joined staff as they paddled through Blackbird Creek to observe wildlife and learn how long-term data collection helps guide conservation of Delaware’s estuaries.
In Lewes, a visit to the state’s growing shellfish aquaculture program highlighted how oysters and clams benefit Delaware’s waterways, filter pollutants and support local economies — all while showcasing collaboration between the University of Delaware, Delaware State University and Delaware Sea Grant.
We also joined Dr. Ashley Kennedy and her team from our Division of Fish and Wildlife to learn about tick research and monitoring. Using field collection techniques like “tick dragging,” scientists are improving our understanding of tick-borne illnesses in Delaware.
To wrap up National Drive Electric Month, Secretary Patterson and Breanne Preisen from our Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy visited Delaware’s first NEVI-funded DC fast charging station in Camden. The new station joins more than 250 public charging locations statewide — making it easier than ever for Delawareans to plug in, charge up and drive electric.
Want a firsthand look? Check out our #FieldTripFriday playlist and follow us on social!
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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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 Meet Breanne Preisen, Clean Transportation Program manager in our Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy. For Breanne, making a difference means helping Delaware move toward a cleaner, more sustainable future — one electric vehicle at a time.
Since joining DNREC in 1999, Breanne has worn many hats — from educator in State Parks to working in Fisheries — before finding her passion in clean transportation. Today, she manages Delaware’s EV rebate and charging station incentive programs, helping residents and businesses drive cleaner and reduce emissions. “We’re cleaning up the transportation sector,” she said. “EVs are one of the solutions helping improve air quality here in Delaware.”
Breanne’s team also develops educational tools like DNREC’s Home Charging Guide for New Electric Vehicle Owners to help drivers make the most of their EV experience. “When I started, we’d process maybe two rebates a week — now it’s more than 40,” she said. “It’s exciting to see people choosing clean transportation and realizing EVs aren’t just environmentally friendly — they’re fun to drive.”
Born and raised in Kent County, Breanne values Delaware’s close-knit community and the collaboration that makes progress possible. “Being a small state has its advantages,” she said. “We can work together and really make an impact.”
Thank you, Breanne, for your years of service and dedication to DNREC’s mission and to a cleaner, more sustainable Delaware.
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