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 Red shouldered hawk perched in a tree.
October brings a noticeable shift across Delaware. Cooler temperatures settle in, leaves begin to change and wildlife prepare for the months ahead.
It’s also a great time to experience the outdoors and see how Delaware’s natural spaces change with the season. This month, we’re sharing some of what’s happening across DNREC and a few ways to make the most of fall in the First State.
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Inside the DNREC Environmental Laboratory Responsible for Testing for Forever Chemicals and Other Contaminants
When DNREC needs to test water samples for contaminants, it turns to the Delaware Environmental Laboratory, which has been helping protect the state’s natural resources for more than 75 years and celebrated moving into a new home in 2026. Read more
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Inside DNREC's Efforts to Save America's Tiniest Turtle
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DNREC Newsroom
Delaware Drivers Urged to Watch for Deer
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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DNREC Coastal Cleanup Volunteers Removed 21,000 Pieces of Trash from Delaware Beaches
Volunteers across Delaware joined together on Sept. 19 for the 39th annual Coastal Cleanup organized by DNREC and removed more than 3,800 pounds of trash from shorelines, wetlands and waterways. Read more
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DNREC Updates Hunting Guidance on Direct Supervision for 16- to 20-Year-old Hunters
DNREC has updated Delaware hunting guidance concerning direct supervision for 18- to 20-year-old hunters after a state Supreme Court ruling struck down a lower court decision that had allowed 18- to 20-year-olds to hunt without direct supervision when using a range of hunting firearms. Read more
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Blackbird Creek Fall Festival Set for Oct. 17
Family fun, food and entertainment await visitors to the 18th annual Blackbird Creek Fall Festival Saturday, Oct. 17. Read more
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Take the Ultimate Delaware Fall Road Trip
Take the ultimate road trip to Delaware State Parks this fall to explore fall festivals and special events and stay to bike, hike, paddle, camp, discover history or participate in seasonal programs. Read more
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Delaware Confirms Third Case of Chronic Wasting Disease in Deer
Delaware confirmed a third case of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in a white-tailed deer in central Sussex County. DNREC held a community meeting on Sept. 16 in Georgetown updating the state’s response to CWD and explaining the adoption of temporary emergency deer hunting regulations for the evolving in-state presence of the disease that affects deer and members of the deer family. Read more
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Meet the Delaware State Parks Employees Who Fight Wildfires
They work in the Delaware State Parks. They also travel across the country to fight wildfires.
Recently Adam Keever, maintenance supervisor at White Clay Creek State Park, and Jim Charney, Delaware’s statewide park arborist, returned from fighting wildland fires in Ely, Minnesota. The two are veteran members of Delaware’s Wildland Fire Crew, which trains and deploys crews for out-of-state wildfire assignments, sending firefighters to communities and natural areas across the country.
Assignments can mean spending weeks away from home, working long days in challenging terrain and helping protect lives, property and natural resources. For Adam and Jim, wildland firefighting is more than a job they do away from Delaware. The experience connects directly to their work in Delaware State Parks.
Two jobs. Two very different settings. A lot more in common than you might think.
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TEDI Tree Giveaways
All October
More Info
Fall into the Forest Hike
Oct. 20, 5 p.m.
(Preregistration Required)
Blackbird Creek Reserve
801 Blackbird Landing Road,
Townsend
More Info
Webinar: Sediment and Stormwater Program Overview and Structure
Oct. 22, 12 p.m.
(Preregistration Required)
A Virtual Meeting
More Info
Oct. 22, 4 p.m.
(Preregistration Required)
Slaughter Beach Pavilion
359 Bay Ave., Milford
More Info
Oct. 23, 10 a.m.
DuPont Nature Center
2992 Lighthouse Road, Milford
More Info
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Dark Tales of the Delaware Coast
Oct. 23, 2 p.m.
DuPont Nature Center
2992 Lighthouse Road, Milford
More Info
Fly-Tying Class
Oct. 29, 5:30 p.m.
(Preregistration Required)
Aquatic Resources Education Center
2520 Lighthouse Road, Smyrna
More Info
Fall Tree Planting at Blackbird Creek Reserve
Nov. 7, 9 a.m.
(Preregistration Required)
Blackbird Creek Reserve
801 Blackbird Landing Road, Townsend
More Info
Disability Inclusion in the Earth Sciences
Nov. 13-15
(Preregistration Required)
A Virtual Meeting
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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Weatherization Assistance Program
DNREC’s free Weatherization Assistance Program helps eligible Delawareans make their homes more energy efficient, comfortable and affordable. Improvements like insulation and air sealing can help lower energy use and reduce monthly energy bills.
Eligibility is based on household size and income. Learn more about the Weatherization Assistance Program and how to apply.
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DNREC Language Services
DNREC provides free interpretation services upon request to help ensure all communities can participate in our programs and public processes.
Requests for interpretation or assistance with public comments must be submitted at least 10 days before the application comment period closes or a DNREC-hosted public hearing, meeting or community event.
Submit a request at de.gov/dnrectranslations. Learn more at de.gov/titlevi.
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As part of Delaware SHINES, DNREC is helping Delawareans take greater control of their energy costs through the Green Energy Program. The program provides rebates to eligible Delmarva Power customers for renewable energy technologies including solar and geothermal.
New incentives are also available for solar paired with battery storage, solar canopies and solar installations on certified brownfields.
Learn more about rebates and eligibility on the Green Energy Program webpage.
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Employee Spotlight
Rachel Teseneer prepares for annual bat maternity colony surveys (left) and weighs a squirrel during fieldwork (right).
Rachel Teseneer found exactly what she was looking for when she joined the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control in 2024: the chance to return to wildlife conservation while helping people better understand the animals around them.
Rachel is a biological aide with the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife, where she primarily supports the Delaware Bat Program while continuing to assist with efforts to bolster the Delmarva fox squirrel population in our state. Her work includes responding to calls about human-bat conflicts, coordinating volunteer bat spotters, monitoring bat populations and conducting field surveys throughout the state.
Originally from North Carolina, Rachel moved to Delaware with her husband in 2023 after his Air Force assignment brought them to the area. While searching for opportunities to get back into the wildlife field, she was encouraged to apply for a position with DNREC by a fellow North Carolina State University alum.
What Rachel enjoys most about working at DNREC is the people.
“The Delmarva fox squirrel/bat team is a joy to be a part of,” Rachel said. “Whether it’s joking around while we wait to check traps or working together to problem-solve when things don’t go the way we’ve planned, I always find myself having a great time with my team.”
Although she’s always loved the outdoors and working with wildlife, Rachel has discovered a new passion through the Delaware Bat Program: helping people understand and appreciate bats.
She’s especially proud of the outreach she’s been able to do, whether it’s answering questions from homeowners, giving presentations or helping someone feel more comfortable after learning about bats.
“It’s always so rewarding to end a bat call with the caller saying that they’ve learned a lot, are no longer scared or feel better about their current batty situation,” she said.
Outside of work, Rachel enjoys gardening, kayaking, fishing and kickboxing. She also loves relaxing with a good book or a horror movie.
Thank you, Rachel, for your dedication and service to DNREC and the state of Delaware.
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