Plants and Plant Communities

Delaware has more than 1,600 species of native plants. More than a quarter of them are rare and can be found in more than 100 different terrestrial and wetland habitat types. The Division of Fish & Wildlife, working with the Water Resources Center, part of the University of Delaware’s Institute for Public Administration, maintains
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Become a Shorebird Project Volunteer

Spring brings the shorebird migration season. The Delaware Shorebird Project needs experienced and dedicated volunteers for the field season each spring. [button type=”info”
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Federal Funding for Fish & Wildlife

The Division of Fish & Wildlife uses a combination of federal funds and revenue from recreational licenses and permits to fund wildlife conservation, habitat restoration, public access, hunting, fishing and other services. Delaware receives federal funds from the Wildlife Restoration Act, the Sport Fish Restoration Act, and State Wildlife Grants to support wildlife conservation,
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Delaware Bay Ecology

The Delaware Bay is extraordinarily rich in biological resources. The beaches, mudflats, and marshes that line Delaware Bay provide abundant food and habitat for many species.
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Piping Plover Program

Dwindling populations have landed the Piping Plovers on the federal Endangered Species List. Delaware’s Piping Plover Program monitors these beach-nesting birds, provides habitat protection and educates the beach-going public. Henrietta Bellman Coastal Avian Biologist 302-735-3612
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Shorebird Research and Monitoring

Each May, the Delaware Shorebird Project carries out its research objectives during the shorebirds’ stopover in the Bay. The brief field season brings long, but rewarding, days on the coast. Henrietta Bellman Coastal Avian Biologist 302-735-3600
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Osprey Monitoring

Delaware’s osprey population is one of the state’s greatest conservation success stories. From the days of DDT and the collapse of many raptor populations, including bald eagles and peregrine falcons, ospreys in Delaware have rebounded and the population continues to grow and expand state-wide. [panel type=”success” heading=”Contact Us”
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Delaware Wildlife Action Plan

The Division of Fish & Wildlife has created a Delaware Wildlife Action Plan to coordinate wildlife conservation practices in the 21st century. Funds appropriated by Congress through the State Wildlife Grants program require states to demonstrate comprehensive wildlife conservation needs. “Comprehensive” includes all species and all habitats. The federal State Wildlife
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The Delaware Shorebird Project

Shorebirds are an important part of the ecology of Delaware’s shorelines. But they are under threat; populations are declining. The Delaware Shorebird Project works to mitigate that threat, through research and monitoring, habitat protection, and management planning. Henrietta
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Do-it-Yourself Phragmites Control Tips

The Division of Fish & Wildlife offers a phragmites control cost-share program to help landowners control larger stands of phragmites. There are steps landowners can take themselves to control smaller areas of phragmites. Herbicides That Can be Used Sources for Aquatic Glyphosate Keystone Pest Solutions 877-835-8321 Shoreline Aquatic
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Cost Share Program Questions & Answers

A list of frequently asked questions, and answers, about the phragmites control cost-share program offered by the Division of Fish & Wildlife. Landowner Assistance  Phragmites Control
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Operation Terrapin Rescue at Port Mahon

Operation Terrapin Rescue is a volunteer program to help Diamondback terrapins move safely between the Delaware Bay and their nesting sites near Port Mahon. It also collects accurate and valuable data on the terrapins’ movements. Nate Nazdrowicz Species Conservation
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Environmental Reviews

The Species Conservation & Research Program (SCRP) continuously updates information on rare plant and animal species and vegetation communities in Delaware. The SCRP is the state’s most comprehensive, centralized source of information on rare plants, animals, and vegetation communities. Environmental Review Coordinator 6180
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Delmarva Fox Squirrel Conservation Plan

The Division of Fish & Wildlife has drafted a conservation plan for the Delmarva fox squirrel. The Delmarva fox squirrel (Sciurus niger cinereus) is a subspecies of fox squirrel found only on the Delmarva Peninsula. The Delmarva fox squirrel’s distribution was down to less than 10 percent of its historic range in the 1960’s,
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Delaware’s Endangered Species

Native wildlife species that are in danger of becoming extinct in Delaware may be listed as Endangered by the Division of Fish & Wildlife. To help prevent species from becoming endangered, Delaware currently has a Wildlife Action Plan in place for restoring and maintaining important habitats and dwindling populations of the state’s wildlife species. Birds
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Facts About Phragmites

Phragmites has been present in Delaware’s marshes for a long time. In fact, research shows that Phragmites (Phragmites australis) has been a part of the wetland ecosystem of North America for over 11,000 years. However, in the 1950s, Phragmites was identified as problematic in North American wetlands as a non-native European hybrid began to wreak
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Private Lands Assistance

Delaware is a biologically diverse state with hardwood forests, swamps and coastal marshes that support over 400 species of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. Despite significant strides in conservation, much of the wildlife habitat in Delaware remains isolated, degraded and unprotected as more land is converted to urban, commercial and industrial uses. [column md=”5″
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Conservation Programs

The Division of Fish & Wildlife manages over 62,000 acres of Delaware land at 19 public wildlife areas that provide hunting and wildlife opportunities as well as habitat for a variety of species. The Division implements important wildlife and habitat conservation and education initiatives, like the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program and the Delaware
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Watershed Stewardship Contacts

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Delaware’s White-Tailed Deer

White-tailed deer are one of the most important wildlife species managed in Delaware. Wildlife-watchers, photographers, and hunters flock to the state in pursuit of deer. They contribute millions of dollars each year to the state’s economy. Eric Ness Deer
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Chronic Wasting Disease

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a disease of the brain and nervous system in members of the family Cervidae (deer, elk, or moose). It has not been found in Delaware, but has in 26 other states and four Canadian provinces. State wildlife officials are taking steps to avoid its spread into Delaware.
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Waterfowl Surveys

Since 1974, the Division of Fish & Wildlife has conducted annual waterfowl surveys to measure long-term trends in duck and goose populations. The survey results help increase biologists’ knowledge about the state’s waterfowl populations and habitat and help the state make informed decisions about habitat management and hunting.
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Wild Turkeys

From 1984 and through the early 2000s, the Division of Fish & Wildlife released Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) into the state in an effort to reestablish a turkey population in Delaware. With support from the National Wild Turkey Federation, state biologists released 34 wild-trapped turkeys into Kent and Sussex Counties in 1984. The birds
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Coyotes in Delaware

Documented coyote sightings are not new in any of Delaware’s three counties Coyotes (Canis latrans) now makes its habitat in all 50 states but Hawaii, and they have been spotted in Delaware both north and south of the C&D Canal.
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The Delaware Bat Program

Bats are one of the most mysterious and least understood groups of mammals. Discover the bats of Delaware; the species we have, how to attract or safely evict them, get information about White-Nose Syndrome, find out what the state is doing for bats, and how you can help.
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Water Conservation

The Water Supply Coordinating Council has developed a three-phase approach to conserving water if and when there are problems with drought in Delaware. This approach includes recommended water conservation ideas for a drought watch and for a drought warning. It also includes planned mandatory restrictions in the case of a drought emergency. Drought watches, warnings
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Division of Watershed Stewardship

The Division of Watershed Stewardship manages and protects the state’s soil, water and coastlines. It uses a comprehensive array of watershed-based programs to ensure proper stewardship of Delaware’s natural resources. The division protects and maintains the state’s shoreline and navigable waterways. It regulates changes to coastal and urban lands. It develops and implements innovative
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St. Jones Reserve

The St. Jones Reserve component of the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve (DNERR) is located on the north shore of the St. Jones River, off Kitts Hummock Road, south of Dover in Kent County and includes a portion of Delaware Bay. The St. Jones Reserve is on the Delaware Bayshore Byway and includes a Visitor Center and a two-mile nature trail.
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Blackbird Creek Reserve

The Blackbird Creek Reserve component of the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve (DNERR) is located upstream from Delaware Route 9 at Taylors Bridge in Townsend, New Castle County. The Blackbird Creek Reserve is on the Delaware Bayshore Byway and includes trails, pavilion and canoe/kayak launch.
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Get Involved

You can get involved in your community and your estuary when you volunteer with the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve (DNERR). The Reserve offers a variety of volunteer opportunities for adults and high school students throughout each year at each of its two locations.
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Alvin G. Wilson Conservation Demonstration Area

The Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve actively promotes installation of conservation and restoration projects. As part of an educational outreach effort, 12 acres of poorly-drained farmland located within the St. Jones Reserve were converted in 2003 to demonstration plots to highlight wetland and grass conservation options. [panel type=”success”
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Conservation and Stewardship

Delaware Coastal Programs works with partners at the state, regional and national level to promote better stewardship of coastal habitats. Stewardship involves a wide range of activities including land acquisition, habitat mapping, ecological restoration, invasive species monitoring, resource inventories, demonstration areas, and more.
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The Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve

The Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve (DNERR) is one of 29 National Estuarine Research Reserves across the country
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Conservation Access Pass

Delaware’s Conservation Access Pass provides needed funding to help the Division of Fish and Wildlife maintain and improve public access, facilities, and wildlife habitat on State Wildlife Areas. Where Can You Get Yours?
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Delaware Coastal Programs

The Coastal Programs Section of the Division of Climate, Coastal, & Energy serves as the Department’s research, education, and policy lead for coastal and ocean issues. It helps manage Delaware’s federal coastal zone and balance the use and protection of its resources through the integrated efforts of the Delaware Coastal Management Program and Delaware National Estuarine Research
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Energy Efficiency

The Division of Climate, Coastal, & Energy supports energy efficiency and conservation programs that help reduce energy use and its impact on the state’s environment and public health. Every investment in energy efficiency helps increase productivity and profits for business, reduces the production of harmful greenhouse gasses, lowers energy costs, and improves the value and
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Outdoor Delaware Magazine

Outdoor Delaware, Delaware’s award-winning conservation magazine, is published four times each year and presents stunning photography, detailed feature articles, regular columnists, and more.
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