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November brings cooler days, migrating wildlife and the start of the holiday season — a time when many of us gather, cook and create a little more waste than usual. With Thanksgiving approaching and America Recycles Day just behind us, it is a perfect moment to rethink our habits and make small choices that benefit Delaware’s environment.
Here are a few easy ways to reduce waste and recycle smarter this season:
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Plan meals thoughtfully to cut down on food waste and use leftovers creatively.
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Choose reusable plates, cups and utensils when hosting gatherings.
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Know what’s recyclable in Delaware by checking Recyclopedia at de.gov/recyclopedia.
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Compost food scraps when possible or keep them out of the recycling cart.
Learn about what really happens to recyclables in the First State on Outdoor Delaware.
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Remembering Delaware’s Original Inhabitants: How DNREC Preserves and Promotes Indigenous Heritage
The state of Delaware recognizes two Native American tribes: the Lenape and the Nanticoke. Both groups descend from indigenous Americans who lived along the Delaware River and Delaware Bay for many centuries before Europeans arrived. Learn how the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control works to protect and promote their heritage in this offering from Outdoor Delaware. Read more
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A Season for Giving: Delaware Hunters Against Hunger Program Helps People in Need
The Delaware Hunters Against Hunger program is once again providing venison to people in need, an annual tradition during the holidays. The initiative has distributed almost 328 tons of venison to local food banks since 1996, totaling about 2.62 million meals. Read more
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DNREC Launches Statewide Survey to Gather Community Feedback on Air Quality
DNREC has launched a new public survey to gather feedback from Delaware residents about local air quality. Read more
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Delaware Survey Reveals Opportunities to Increase Awareness of PFAS
A new statewide survey from DNREC finds that while many Delawareans are still learning about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals,” a meaningful share of residents are aware of the issue and taking steps to reduce exposure. Read more
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DHSS, DNREC to Announce PFAS Awareness and Outreach Grants
DHSS and DNREC are launching a new grant opportunity to support community outreach and awareness about PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), with the grant program funded through DHSS with Delaware PFAS Settlement Funds. Read more
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Enjoy Camping in Delaware State Parks
Fall is a great time for camping in Delaware State Parks, with options that include sites for tents, yurts, RVs or beach cottages and homes. Read more
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Delaware Natural Resources Police Gathering Toys for Tots Donations
Ahead of the giving season holidays, Delaware Natural Resources Police are again collecting donated toys for families in need this year in all three counties beginning Wednesday, Oct. 29. Donations of new and unwrapped toys will be distributed as gifts to children in communities statewide through the local branch of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program. Read more
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DNREC Reopens Bancroft Bridge, an Important Connector for Wilmington
The Bancroft Bridge, which links residents and visitors to Alapocas Run State Park, the Delaware Greenway system, and other historic, cultural and recreational opportunities in Wilmington, reopened after being closed since September 2021 due to remnants of Hurricane Ida. Read more
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Trout Stocked in White Clay Creek to Provide Anglers With Fall and Winter Opportunities
DNREC made its annual fall trout stocking in White Clay Creek in northern New Castle County today to provide anglers opportunities to fish upstate Delaware waters for trout during fall and winter. About 1,000 pounds of 12- to 13-inch rainbow trout were stocked in White Clay Creek from near the Pennsylvania state line downstream to Newark. Read more
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DNREC Breaks Ground on Trap Pond Splash Park
DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation broke ground on a new splash zone at Trap Pond State Park, which will delight children and families alike by mid-summer 2026. 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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Every year, thousands of crab pots are lost or abandoned in Delaware’s waterways. These derelict crab pots don’t just disappear — they continue to trap fish, crabs and even turtles in a process known as ghost fishing. They also pose hazards to boaters, damage habitats, and add to the growing problem of marine debris.
That’s where teamwork comes in.
Thanks to Delaware Sea Grant’s leadership, University of Delaware student and staff volunteers and DNREC’s field expertise, more than 130 derelict crab pots were recently removed from local waters near Warwick Cove in Sussex County — with the help of more than 50 volunteers, 9 vessels and months of planning, mapping, and coordination. This partnership-driven effort is part of a broader initiative to protect Delaware’s coastal ecosystems, reduce plastic pollution and create safer habitats for marine life.
🔗 Learn more about Delaware Sea Grant’s work on derelict crab pots
🔗 Explore DNREC’s coastal programs and restoration efforts
Like, comment and subscribe! 🔔
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Flint Woods Walk
November 22, 1 p.m.
Brandywine Creek State Park Nature Center
4244 Wilsons Run Rd., Wilmington (Registration required)
More Info
History Hike: The Seaside
November 28, 1 p.m.
Fort Miles Historical Area
15099 Cape Henlopen Dr., Lewes (Pre-registration required)
More Info
Holiday Wreath Making
December 4, 5 p.m.
Bald Cypress Nature Center
15554 Hickory Rd., Laurel (Pre-registration required)
More Info
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Wreath Making
December 6, 10 a.m.
Lums Pond Nature Center
1068 Howell School Rd., Bear (Pre-registration required)
More Info
Hike with a Naturalist
December 6, 11 a.m.
Killens Pond State Park Sports Complex
5025 Killens Pond Rd., Felton (Pre-registration Required)
More Info
Teachers on the Estuary Workshop: Trash in Bird Nests
December 9, 8 a.m.
St. Jones Coastal Training Center
818 Kitts Hummock Rd., Dover (Pre-registration required)
More Info
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 From scenic trails and historic landmarks to wildlife habitats and recycling innovation, our recent Field Trip Fridays showcased conservation wins and partnerships in action.
At Brandywine Creek State Park, Secretary Greg Patterson and Governor Matt Meyer joined staff to explore the park’s rolling hills, big trees and iconic “Wedding Oak.” The group experienced one of Delaware’s most scenic state parks — a destination for hiking, paddling and family-friendly adventures managed by our Division of Parks and Recreation.
Next, a dedication at Alapocas Run State Park celebrated the reopening of the Bancroft Bridge, which reconnects Wilmington’s neighborhoods and trails after being destroyed by Hurricane Ida. The new bridge — a 100,000-pound prefabricated structure with greater flood protection — stands as a testament to collaboration between DNREC, FEMA, DEMA and construction partners.
A Field Trip Friday visit to Fort Delaware State Park on Pea Patch Island gave the team a look into the fort’s storied past and its reputation as Delaware’s most haunted site. The Diamond State Ghost Investigators wrapped up their 17th season of paranormal tours — an effort that supports continued historic preservation at the fort.
At the Cedar Swamp Wildlife Area, our Division of Fish and Wildlife highlighted one of Delaware’s greatest conservation success stories — the return of northern bobwhite quail. Through prescribed burns, habitat management and innovative monitoring tools, biologists have helped increase quail coveys from just nine to nearly 70 over two decades.
Secretary Patterson, Deputy Secretary Cobb and staff also visited the Delaware Recycling Center, where the Delaware Solid Waste Authority and partners Republic and Revolution Recovery demonstrated how recyclables are sorted, processed and repurposed — keeping materials out of landfills and supporting a cleaner Delaware.
Want a firsthand look? Check out our #FieldTripFriday playlist and follow us on social!
 Learn more about the results of our recent PFAS survey at de.gov/pfas.
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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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 This month, we are proud to recognize Joanna French, DNREC’s 2024 Employee of the Year. Joanna demonstrated extraordinary leadership and resilience during a year of significant transition within the Shoreline and Waterway Management Section (SWMS). When her supervisor and Program Administrator unexpectedly departed in August 2024, she stepped in as Acting Program Administrator while continuing her role as Engineer Program Manager II.
In the midst of a coastal emergency at Indian River Inlet, Joanna guided both the Field Operations and Engineering & Science teams through a dune breach response, helping stabilize the area and advancing a major dredging and nourishment project a full year ahead of schedule. Her calm, steady leadership and deep technical knowledge were essential as she navigated long days, high stakes, and complex federal requirements.
Throughout it all, Joanna maintained her core responsibilities — from emergency response coordination to rigorous grant reporting — without missing a beat. Her ability to rise to the moment and lead by example has left a lasting impact on SWMS and exemplifies the best of public service.
Congratulations to Joanna French on this well-deserved recognition.
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