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The first signs of spring are beginning to appear across Delaware, bringing a busy season for DNREC programs, events and field work.
Recently, DNREC connected with hundreds of students at the Youth Environmental Summit (YES!) and joined partners and experts at the Delaware Wetlands Conference to discuss the future of wetland protection. March also contains Flood Awareness Week, an opportunity to highlight flood risks and share resources that help Delaware communities stay informed and prepared.
There are a few simple steps residents can take to prepare before severe weather arrives:
• Know your flood risk by checking local maps and resources at de.gov/floodrisk.
• Know your evacuation zone ahead of time using Delaware Emergency Management Agency's (DEMA) Know Your Zone tool at preparede.org/know-your-zone.
• Stay informed during severe weather by monitoring forecasts and local emergency guidance.
Taking these steps now can help protect you, your family and your community if flooding occurs.
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Prescribed Burns Help Delaware Manage Habitat and Prevent Wildfires
Though we may tend to think of fire as a force of pure destruction, it plays an important role in ecosystems. Fire clears dead underbrush and recycles nutrients into the soil, making it vital for helping both plants and animals thrive. Controlled burns, when done properly, can also reduce the risk of major wildfires. Read more
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Flooding — What You Can Do
Delaware’s Flood Awareness Week will be March 16-20, 2026. Flooding can impact anyone, whether they live in or out of a mapped floodplain. FEMA estimates just 1 inch of flooding can cause up to $25,000 in damage to a home. If you are prepared, and know your flood risk, you can take steps now to lower that risk to your family and property. Read more
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DNREC’s Mosquito Control Section Set to Spray Woodland Pool Habitats
DNREC is set to begin the annual spring spraying of woodland pools to control aquatic immature (larval) mosquitoes as soon as Friday, March 20 – with the spring spray campaign carrying on as late as mid-April, weather permitting. Targeting larval mosquitoes limits the emergence of biting adult mosquitoes later in the spring coming from these habitats. Read more
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DNREC, DEMA Sponsor Delaware Flood Awareness Week March 16 to 20
Gov. Matt Meyer has proclaimed March 16 to 20 as Delaware Flood Awareness Week in conjunction with DNREC and DEMA. Read more
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Controlled Burn to be Scheduled at Brandywine Creek State Park
A controlled burn is planned for Brandywine Creek State Park in March to help clear meadows to encourage the growth of native wildflowers and seasonal grasses and to create habitat for grassland birds and pollinators. Read more
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Registration Now Open for DNREC-Sponsored Christina River Watershed Cleanup
Volunteers are invited to participate in an early Earth Day activity by lending helping hands to the annual Christina River Watershed cleanup at 13 sites throughout northern New Castle County. The DNREC-sponsored event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, April 11. Registration is now open. Read more
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Upstate Trout Season to Open in New Castle County Streams with Youth-Only Day Set for April 4
Delaware’s 2026 upstate stream trout season will open for youth anglers younger than 16 at 7 a.m. on Saturday, April 4. The regular trout season for all anglers will commence a half-hour before sunrise the next day, Sunday, April 5. Read more
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DNREC Announces 2025-26 Deer Harvest Totals, Launches New Interactive Game Harvest Dashboard
DNREC has announced Delaware’s statewide deer harvest totals for the 2025-26 hunting season – coinciding with the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife launching a new interactive Game Harvest Dashboard that encourages deer hunters and the public to explore the state’s big game animal data in greater detail. Read more
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Amid Hints of Spring, DNREC Reminds Delawareans of Yard Waste Options, Including Beneficial Reuse
As springtime approaches and lawn and garden cleanup begins, DNREC reminds Delaware residents that yard waste is banned from the state’s landfills. But there’s a more encouraging reminder when it comes to yard waste – when mulched or composted, it can become outstanding organic material that enhances beautification efforts for better lawns and gardens. Read more
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DNREC Now Soliciting Community Water Quality Improvement Grant Project Proposals
DNREC encourages Delaware non-profit organizations, conservation districts, community organizations and homeowners’ associations to submit project proposals to be considered for grant funds from DNREC’s Community Water Quality Improvement Grants program. Read more
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Two Cape Henlopen Trails to Close for Repairs
The Junction and Breakwater Trail at Cape Henlopen State Park closed March 9 for repairs on weekdays expected to last three weeks. It will be followed by the Gordon Pond Trail, which will close on weekdays for two weeks to fix small sections breached by high tides. Read more
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DNREC to Resume Sand Bypass Operations At Indian River Inlet After Signing Contract With First State Crane Service
Having signed a contract March 3 with First State Crane Service to operate the new Indian River Inlet Sand Bypass System, DNREC is set to resume pumping sand later this month for beach and dune nourishment with the bypass system under the joint supervision of DNREC and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Read more
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DNREC Closes The Point at Cape Henlopen March 1 to Protect Nesting, Migrating Birds
The Point at Cape Henlopen State Park closed on March 1 to protect nesting birds, like the federally threatened piping plover, and other migrating species. Read more
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DHSS, DNREC Reopen PFAS Awareness and Outreach Grant Opportunity Through March 27
The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services and DNREC are reopening a grant opportunity for community outreach and awareness about PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), with a focus on underserved communities and historically industrial areas or areas impacted by PFAS contamination. Grant applications will be accepted through 11:59 p.m. EDT March 27. The outreach and awareness grant is funded through DHSS with Delaware PFAS Settlement Funds. Read more
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Fee Season Began March 1, Kicking off Year-Long 75th Anniversary Celebration at Delaware State Parks
To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the award-winning Delaware State Parks system, the 2026 parks fee season, which began March 1, will be packed with special events, activities and opportunities. This year’s celebration will include many events that are free with paid park entrance, making an annual pass the key to a year of exciting and affordable recreational opportunities. Read more
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Students from across Delaware came together for the Youth Environmental Summit, learning about climate change, conservation and ways they can make a difference. 🌎
Students explored exhibits on air quality, wildlife, wetlands, waste management and more while sharing their own ideas for addressing climate change, including planting trees and imagining solar-powered cars. The summit highlighted the passion and creativity of Delaware’s next generation of environmental stewards and the many ways young people are helping shape a more sustainable future.
Like, comment and subscribe! 🔔
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Basic Hunter Education Field Day
March 22, 8 a.m.
(Pre-registration Required)
Little Creek Hunter Education Training Center
3018 Bayside Dr., Dover
More Info
Turkey Hunting Course
March 22, 9 a.m.
Lewes Fire Department Station #2 (Nassau)
32198 Janice Rd., Lewes
More Info
Public Hearing: Proposed Total Fish Length Regulation
March 25, 6 p.m.
Virtual Hearing
More Info
Community Workshop: Delmarva Power Silverside-Naamans Transmission Line Site
March 25, 6:30 p.m.
Claymont Community Center
3301 Green St., Claymont
More Info
Science and History: Walking the Connection From JDP and DNERR
March 28, 10:30 a.m.
(Pre-registration Required)
St. Jones Reserve
818 Kitts Hummock Rd., Dover
More Info
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Take A Kid Fishing!
April 7, 8 and 9, 10 a.m.
(Pre-registration Required)
Aquatic Resources Education Center
2520 Lighthouse Rd., Smyrna
More Info
Boating Safety Class
April 11, 8 a.m.
(Pre-registration Required)
Indian River Lifesaving Station
25039 Coastal Hwy., Rehoboth Beach
More Info
Christina River Watershed Cleanup
April 11, 9 a.m.
(Pre-registration Required)
13 Sites Along the Christina River
More Info
Volunteer Tree Planting: Augustine Creek
April 24, 9 a.m.
(Pre-registration Required)
Augustine Creek
790 Betts Rd., Middletown
More Info
Volunteer Tree Planting: Great Cypress Swamp
April 25, 9 a.m.
(Pre-registration Required)
Great Cypress Swamp
24558 Cypress Rd., Frankford
More Info
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 Recent Field Trip Friday visits highlighted the next generation of environmental leaders and the professionals working to protect Delaware’s natural resources.
One visit brought Secretary Greg Patterson to the student-organized YES!, where nearly 800 students from across the state joined advisers, educators and environmental professionals for a day of learning and inspiration. DNREC experts spoke with students about environmental careers, climate action and conservation.
Another Field Trip Friday took Secretary Patterson to Killens Pond State Park, where he surveyed damage from Winter Storm Hernando and thanked DNREC employees who worked around the clock to clear roads, remove fallen trees and reopen parks and wildlife areas.
DNREC also welcomed more than 450 attendees from 23 states to the biennial Delaware Wetlands Conference at the Chase Center on the Riverfront, featuring presentations on wetland science, restoration and climate resilience, along with a field visit to the Southbridge Wilmington Wetlands Park.
The most recent Field Trip Friday brought Secretary Patterson and Deputy Secretary Dayna Cobb to Wilmington, where they joined the DNREC Division of Waste and Hazardous Substances Remediation Section at the Chestnut Run Innovation and Science Park, a brownfield site undergoing redevelopment. DNREC experts are helping test and treat soil and water so former industrial land can be safely reused for jobs, open space and community development.
Want to explore with us? Check out our #FieldTripFriday playlist and follow us on social!
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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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Presenters Todd Keyser of DNREC and Amanda Lacklen of DHSS provide important information on forever chemicals known as PFAS. Learn what PFAS are, where they’ve been found in Delaware and how to reduce your exposure.
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Todd Keyser has spent more than two decades serving DNREC, marking 22 years here this upcoming June.
Todd works as a hydrologist with the DNREC Division of Waste and Hazardous Substances, where he focuses on identifying and addressing emerging groundwater contamination issues across Delaware. His work often involves coordinating solutions across regulatory agencies and serving as a subject matter expert on environmental remediation. Todd is also a co-author of DNREC’s Watershed Approach to Toxics Assessment and Restoration (WATAR) and leads the DNREC Emerging Contaminants Team, which currently focuses on PFAS through a multi-agency effort to address these complex environmental challenges.
Before joining DNREC, Todd worked as a limited term researcher and project geologist at the Delaware Geological Survey, where he helped map groundwater recharge areas and assess natural hazards such as earthquakes and flooding. When a hydrologist position opened at DNREC, it felt like a natural next step.
“I like working with creative, thoughtful and motivated people,” Todd said. “There are so many opportunities to do the next right thing. We are the stewards of the environment in Delaware. It is a huge responsibility but also an incredible opportunity.”
Todd’s passion for the environment traces back to a hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, where the layers of rock sparked his fascination with geology and the stories landscapes can tell.
Originally from Chatham, New Jersey, Todd came to the First State to attend the University of Delaware, where he earned both his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in geology. He has called Delaware home ever since.
Outside of work, Todd keeps busy with a wide range of hobbies. He is an avid cyclist and part-time bicycle mechanic who enjoys gardening, homebrewing beer, reading, camping and birdwatching. He’s also a model railroader, train watcher and airplane model enthusiast and serves on a charity board.
Thank you, Todd, for your years of dedication and service to DNREC and the environment of Delaware.
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