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 August marks the transition between summer adventures and the return to familiar routines, but DNREC's work never slows down. Over the past month, we welcomed thousands of visitors to the Delaware State Fair, connected with families through hands-on exhibits and shared the many ways Delaware's natural resources support our communities. Across the state, our scientists, conservationists, park staff, environmental educators and first responders have continued protecting wildlife, monitoring water and air quality, improving outdoor recreation and preparing for the seasons ahead.
In this month's newsletter, you'll find updates on conservation efforts, upcoming events and opportunities to explore Delaware's outdoors. Whether you're squeezing in one last beach trip, planning a hike or simply staying informed about the work happening across the First State, we hope you'll find something that inspires you to connect with Delaware's natural resources and the people working every day to protect them.
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View the Spectacular Nature Images Chosen as Winners of 2026 DNREC Photo Contest
Five photographs were selected as the winners of the 2026 DNREC Photo Contest. Read more
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Jellyfish to Watch Out for
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DNREC Newsroom
DNREC Announces Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Weekend Coming to Camp Barnes Oct. 2 to 4
Registration opens Sept. 1 for the three-day weekend 2026 Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) event, scheduled Oct. 2 to 4. Read more
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Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve to Host Research and Stewardship Symposium
The Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve will hold a two-day Research and Stewardship Symposium at the St. Jones and Blackbird Creek Reserves on Sept. 22 and 23 showcasing the Reserve’s mission of engaging people, applying science and protecting places. Read more
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Latest DNREC Artificial Reef Addition Is 180-Foot Retired Oil Field Supply Ship Turned Commercial Fishing Vessel
DNREC has sunk the Calcasieu Pass, an offshore oilfield supply vessel turned menhaden processing ship, onto Reef Site 13, the centerpiece of Delaware’s artificial reef system also known as the Del-Jersey-Land Reef. Read more
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DNREC Adopts Emergency Deer Hunting Regulations to Try to Limit Spread of CWD
With the 2026-27 deer season starting Sept. 1, DNREC has adopted emergency hunting regulations to try to limit the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Delaware and confine CWD to the area where it was found last spring. Read more
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DNREC Closes Seaford Fishing Pier Based on Unsafe Structural Findings
Citing unsafe structural findings, DNREC has closed the Seaford fishing pier on the Nanticoke River to anglers and public access. Read more
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DNREC to Close Griffith Lake Boat Ramp in Milford Aug. 17 For Duration of Dam Spillway Reconstruction Project
DNREC will close the Griffith Lake boat ramp in Milford starting Aug. 17 for an extended period while the DNREC Dam Safety Program reconstructs the spillway at the lake. Anglers have other options for launching boats in the area. Read more
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DNREC Announces Year’s First Detection of West Nile Virus from Sentinel Chickens
West Nile Virus (WNV) has been detected in Delaware for the first time in 2026 in the sentinel chickens that help DNREC monitor the state for mosquito-borne illnesses. Read more
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DNREC Accepting Applications for 2027 Community Environmental Project Fund Grants Through Aug. 31
The DNREC Environmental Justice Office is accepting applications for the 2027 Community Environmental Project Fund (CEPF) grants from Aug. 1 to 31. Proposed environmental and recreation projects can range from $5,000 to $50,000, and any community or nonprofit organization is eligible to apply for a CEPF grant. CEPF is funded by penalties assessed by DNREC for violations of the state’s environmental laws and regulations, including violations of air, water or hazardous material permits. Read more
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2026 DNREC Photo Contest Winners Unveiled
Winners of the 2026 DNREC Photo Contest gathered at the Delaware State Fair on July 30 to be honored by Governor Matt Meyer and DNREC Secretary Greg Patterson. Read more
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DNREC to Host Introduction to Living Shorelines Training on Sept. 22 and 23
DNREC will host a two-day training event Tuesday, Sept. 22, and Wednesday, Sept. 23, for anyone interested in an introduction to the development process and components of living shorelines in Delaware. Presented in conjunction with the Delaware Living Shorelines Committee, the in-person training event will be held at the DNREC Field Office on Pilottown Road in Lewes. Read more
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DNREC Introduces Paddle Quest as Statewide Summer Kayak, Paddleboat and Canoe Challenge
Delaware State Parks unveiled new ways to explore the state’s waterways with a Paddle Quest challenge and self-service and traditional kayak and paddleboard rentals. Read more
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Red Knot Numbers Increase on Delaware’s Bayshore During Spring Migration
Red knot numbers along Delaware’s Bayshore increased this spring after several seasons of decline, and the birds stayed longer than recent years and gained weight at or above expected rates. Read more
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Brandywine Zoo Adds Year-round Mixed Species Exhibit
Hidden Falls at Brandywine Zoo will feature indoor and outdoor exhibit space for five species in danger of losing their habitats in the wild. Read more
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Governor Meyer Signs Bipartisan Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act
Governor Matt Meyer signed Senate Bill 9 on July 21, establishing Delaware’s first comprehensive state program to protect freshwater wetlands now while creating a clearer and more predictable permitting process for landowners, farmers and businesses. Read more
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DNREC Seeks Volunteers for 2026 Delaware Coastal Cleanup on Saturday, Sept. 19
Volunteer registration is now open for the 39th annual Delaware Coastal Cleanup, set for Saturday, Sept. 19, at more than 40 sites statewide. This popular annual event welcomes participants who turn out to help maintain the state’s beaches, coastline and waterways from 9 a.m. to noon. Read more
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Searching for the rare Bethany Beach firefly
Don't blink or you might miss this one. Every firefly species has its own unique flash pattern, but few are as distinctive as the Bethany Beach firefly. Found only in a small portion of the Mid-Atlantic, this rare insect relies on freshwater interdunal swales to survive.
Join DNREC wildlife biologist Jay Davis as he surveys Delaware's coastal wetlands in search of the Bethany Beach firefly. The Bethany Beach firefly faces growing threats from habitat loss, light pollution, climate change, invasive species and sea-level rise. Through ongoing monitoring, DNREC biologists are working to better understand and protect one of Delaware's rarest insects.
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Estuary Bingo
Aug. 25, 6 p.m.
(Preregistration Required)
St. Jones Reserve
818 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover
More Info
Sept. 3, 10 a.m.
(Preregistration Required)
Aquatic Resources Education Center
2520 Lighthouse Road, Smyrna
More Info
Kayak Fishing for Adults
Sept. 5, 9 a.m.
(Preregistration Required)
Silver Lake Park
300 Washington St., Dover
More Info
Take A Kid Fishing!
Sept. 5, 9 a.m.
(Preregistration Required)
Aquatic Resources Education Center
2520 Lighthouse Road, Smyrna
More Info
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Books by the Bay
Sept. 12, 10:30 a.m.
St. Jones Reserve
818 Kitts Hummock Road, Dover
More Info
Top 3 in 30 Webinar: DelDOT Community Connections Initiatives and TAP
Sept. 17, 2 p.m.
A Virtual Meeting
More Info
Boat Trip on the St. Jones River
Sept. 18, 2:30 p.m.
(Preregistration Required)
Scotton Landing
Trap Shooters Road, Magnolia
More Info
Fly Fishing Class for Adults, Part 1
Sept. 19, 9 a.m.
(Preregistration Required)
Aquatic Resources Education Center
2520 Lighthouse Road, Smyrna
More Info
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DNREC Programs
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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Top 3 in 30 Webinar Series
The DNREC Coastal Training Program's Top 3 in 30 webinar series delivers the three key takeaways on important resilience and restoration topics in just 30 minutes.
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Employee Spotlight
Parks Staff Battle Wildland Fires
Two DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation employees recently spent two weeks battling wildfires a thousand miles away. As part of the Delaware Forest Service Wildland Fire Program, State Park Arborist Jim Charney and White Clay Creek State Park Maintenance Supervisor Adam Keever were sent to help combat the Bear Trap Fire in Minnesota.
Charney and Keever have participated in the program since 2007, spending two weeks most summers working to limit the spread of flames far from home. They are among an elite group of state employees and volunteers specially trained to battle these destructive blazes.
Recently, they served on a three-member engine crew that protected homes and structures in the path of the fire, working 16-hour days to keep people and property safe.
“For me, it is a great opportunity to do something outside the norm,” said Keever, who served as an engine boss. “I get to go someplace else and support people. There is a little bit of an adventure aspect to it. It is something you don’t get to do on a daily basis. Each assignment presents unique challenges.”
The team drove a custom-built 2024 Ford F-550 with a 275-gallon tank to the site, where they cleared brush near structures and built 1,000-gallon sprinkler systems around homes and cabins to keep the surrounding areas moist to slow the flames. Thanks to the sheer number of bodies of water in the state — Minnesota isn’t known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes for nothing — much of the water supply came naturally, with pumps and water lines doing the rest.
Over the past 19 years, Keever and Charney have spent time fighting fires throughout the Western United States, where they faced unique difficulties depending on the terrain and fire. Charney’s favorite assignment was in a remote area of Alaska where provisions had to be air-dropped to the crew because there was no place to land in the wilderness.
Each year, Charney returns to Delaware mentally and physically exhausted and wondering if it’s time to hang it up. But by the following summer, the adrenaline is pumping again and he’s ready for another round.
“Once you start doing it, you can’t stop,” he said. “It is not for everybody. But for the core people, once you get in the system, it is hard to let go.”
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