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A new year brings renewed energy and focus. At DNREC, our commitment remains rooted in protecting Delaware’s natural resources and supporting the communities that depend on them. From science and stewardship to public engagement and policy, our work continues across the state every day.
January is also a time when many people set goals — some big, some small — for the year ahead. Exploring state parks, learning more about environmental issues that matter to you or finding simple ways to care for the places you love can be meaningful starting points. Throughout the year, we’ll continue sharing updates, opportunities and stories that connect Delawareans to the environment and to each other.
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Seven Delaware Spots Ideal for Sledding
One of the best things about a snow day, especially for those with children, is grabbing a sled and heading to the nearest hill. Even though Delaware is relatively small and flat, our state still has a few public places suitable for sledding. Learn more in this article from Outdoor Delaware. Read more
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DNREC Helps Keep Waterways Clear of Old Crab Pots
Every year, thousands of people go crabbing for fun in the Delaware Bay. Unfortunately, whether from neglect or simple forgetfulness, not all those crab pots get picked up. Forgotten or abandoned traps can be hazards, both to boaters and to wildlife. That’s why DNREC has been working with partner organizations for several years to clean up derelict pots, including holding an annual event aimed at finding and removing these traps. Read more
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Delaware State Parks Holds Day of Service for 75th Anniversary
Delaware State Parks is seeking volunteers to assist with the 75th Anniversary Day of Service to help clean up parks before the new season. Read more
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DuPont Nature Center to Showcase Environmental Art Throughout Season
The DuPont Nature Center invites artists of all ages and abilities to submit original artwork for its inaugural Environmental Art Showcase beginning April 1. Read more
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Delaware to Solicit Water Quality Improvement Projects With Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Funding
DNREC, in conjunction with the Division of Public Health, will begin soliciting for new water quality improvement projects on Jan. 16 as the two agencies start to develop 2026 Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) project priority lists. Projects must be listed on the CWSRF and DWSRF project priority lists to be considered for funding. Read more
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DNREC Awards Record Improvement Grants for Local Parks
A total of 18 local, county and municipal park systems in Delaware will share $2.2 million in grants — the largest in program history — to help acquire parkland, design and build parks and trails, and construct outdoor recreational facilities. Read more
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Second Annual DNREC Photo Contest Opens Jan. 15
The second annual Delaware photo contest sponsored by DNREC opens Jan. 15, inviting photographers of all skills to share their best shots of Delaware’s outdoors for a chance to win prizes and statewide recognition. 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. Proposals must be received by 4:30 p.m., Feb. 18. Read more
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Delaware Publishes Updated Plan to Combat Climate Change and Protect Communities
The State of Delaware has released the 2025 Climate Action Plan, a practical guide to reduce emissions, strengthen resilience, and secure a safer future for the First State. Read more
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Registration Deadline Jan. 21 for the 2026 Delaware Wetlands Conference
Registration is open for DNREC’s largest biennial Delaware Wetlands Conference to date, taking place Jan. 27 and 28, at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington, Del. Attendees may register for both days or for a single day. Registration closes Jan. 21. Read more
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More DNREC Permits Go Digital
DNREC is continuing its effort to modernize environmental permitting. The DNREC Division of Air Quality has begun certain air permit applications online through Digital DNREC (ePermitting). Read more
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What began as a seasonal position after college evolved into a deeply impactful conservation career for Edna Stetzar, now a program manager with our Division of Fish and Wildlife.
She has spent more than 30 years monitoring Delaware’s fish and wildlife populations, and now leads staff projects on striped bass, sturgeon, freshwater trout and more. In this video, Edna shares how she turned her love of fishing and the outdoors into a career that protects Delaware’s waterways and supports recreational anglers across the state. Her advice for students and early-career professionals: follow your passion, seek mentors and don’t be afraid to take chances.
If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to build a career in fisheries science, Edna’s journey shows how curiosity, persistence and hands-on experience can lead to a lifelong role protecting Delaware’s natural resources.
For more information about jobs at DNREC visit de.gov/dnrecjobs.
Like, comment and subscribe! 🔔
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Public Hearing: Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations General Permit
Jan. 20, 6 p.m.
Virtual
More Info
Webinar: DNREC Air Quality Natural Minor ePermitting
Jan. 21, 10 a.m.
Virtual (Pre-registration Required)
More Info
Office Hour: Delaware PFAS Awareness and Outreach Grant
Jan. 22, 10 a.m. (Pre-registration Required)
Virtual
More Info
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Office Hour: Delaware PFAS Awareness and Outreach Grant
Jan. 22, 6 p.m. (Pre-registration Required)
Virtual
More Info
2026 Delaware Wetlands Conference
Jan. 26-27
Chase Center on the Riverfront
815 Justison St., Wilmington (Registration Required — closes Jan. 21)
More Info
DuPont Nature Center Winter Lecture Series: Bats of Delaware
Jan. 28, 4 p.m.
DuPont Nature Center
2992 Lighthouse Rd., Milford (Live Webinar Available)
More Info
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 We’re continuing our popular Field Trip Friday series into 2026, offering Delawareans a closer look at the work DNREC does across the state. Each week, Secretary Greg Patterson visits a different site to feature our programs, showcase the people behind the work and share how we’re protecting and managing Delaware’s natural resources.
In 2025, Field Trip Fridays took us everywhere from wetlands and wildlife areas to state parks, recycling centers and college campuses. We tracked bog turtles with our herpetologists, toured drinking water facilities to spotlight PFAS research, cleaned up roadsides with DelDOT, visited the state’s most advanced air monitoring station in Wilmington and so much more.
In January, Secretary Patterson kicked off 2026 with a timely visit focused on post-holiday sustainability, joining our colleagues to share tips on how to properly recycle live holiday trees.
Check out our #FieldTripFriday playlist and follow us on socials @DelawareDNREC to see where we go next.
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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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 DNREC 2025 Year in Review
2025 was marked with many program successes and moments worth sharing. Check out this year-in-review video.
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 The biennial Delaware Wetlands Conference is coming up later this month, and that makes Olivia Allread the perfect selection for this employee spotlight.
The outreach and education coordinator for the Wetland Monitoring and Assessment Program in the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Division of Watershed Stewardship, Olivia is celebrating her 10-year anniversary with DNREC this year. She started as a casual-seasonal employee at Delaware Seashore State Park before moving to Watershed in 2021.
In her current role, Olivia’s duties are diverse and include representing DNREC at community events, conducting field work, coordinating partnerships, drafting social media posts, educating school groups and more. She also is the lead organizer for the Delaware Wetlands Conference, which drew more than 400 people from across the Mid-Atlantic in 2024. The 11th iteration of the conference will be held Jan. 27-28 at the Chase Center on the Riverfront.
A native of Harbeson, Olivia has long had an interest in the outdoors, but it was an environmental science class she took as a freshman in high school that provided the spark to pursuing an environmental career. Another big moment in her path came when she interned with Trap Pond State Park as a student at the University of Delaware.
“It pointed me in the direction to work for a ‘someone’ that could have a hand in protecting — or better put — understanding, the natural resources we have in the First State. When I got out of college and entered the nonprofit space with the Delaware Nature Society, I knew DNREC would be the next step,” she said.
Olivia loves working with her team, noting members all care deeply about the environment and take their jobs seriously. She’s learned a lot from them and is especially proud of her work in the field.
“My direct colleagues have taught me most of the things that make you a ‘scientist’ or ‘ecologist’ without officially being one,” she said.
In fact, Olivia shared she might spend her whole career with DNREC!
Outside of the office, Olivia enjoys spending time with her family, watching reality TV, performing home renovations, volunteering, being in nature and pursuing other hobbies.
Thank you, Olivia, for your hard work and commitment to Delaware!
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