Pages Tagged With: "science"
What We Do About Animal Strandings in Delaware
An endangered fin whale was spotted struggling in the waters of Cape Henlopen State Park. Both the Delaware Natural Resources Police and the Marine Education, Research & Rehabilitation Institute responded. Learn what happened and how we respond to animal strandings in Delaware.Salt in Our Water — Saltwater Intrusion and Inundation in Delaware
“Ghost forests.” Salty-tasting well water. Saltwater intrusion is a growing issue in Delaware due to sea level rise and climate change. Here’s what DNREC is doing about it.Nature’s Beauty – the Tony Florio Woodland Beach Wildlife Area
Photo Contest Winners! See nature’s beauty at DNREC’s Aquatic Resources Education Center near Smyrna.The Nitty-Gritty of the Estuary
As we mark National Estuaries Week on September 18, learn more about estuaries of Delaware – unique ecosystems that many people, plants and animals call home.Our Not So Secretive Marsh Birds
DNREC scientists are unlocking some of the mysteries of Delaware’s secretive marsh birds. Clapper rails, saltmarsh sparrows and other species are facing many challenges. How are they faring?Snakes to Watch Out For
There are 19 species of snakes slithering around Delaware. Which ones should you watch out for and what are the best ways to avoid them?How to Prevent Backyard Mosquitos
zzzzz … slap. Sound familiar? The whine of buzzing mosquitoes followed by swats is a tell-tale sign of summer in Delaware. There’s plenty you can do in your backyard to reduce populations of these pests. Our Mosquito Control Section has tips to share, along with the mosquitos to watch out for.Report Atlantic Sturgeon
You can help DNREC research and manage the local population of Atlantic sturgeon, a rare and endangered fish. Simply use our reporting form to let us know of any interactions you have with this fish. Submit a ReportOn the Move – Delmarva Fox Squirrels in Delaware
Delmarva fox squirrels are rare in Delaware. Just because you haven’t seen one of these large, silver-gray, fluffy-tailed squirrels doesn’t mean you won’t – especially if you live in Sussex County. Our Division of Fish and Wildlife just moved 15 more into the area, as part of an ongoing translocation program.Meet the Lemurs (and More!) at The Brandywine Zoo
They have long striped tails, intense eyes and they’re full of antics. Meet the lemurs – and the other animals – at the Brandywine Zoo’s new Madagascar Exhibit.Mother’s Day in Delaware Wetlands
It’s Mother’s Day and American Wetlands Month. We thought we’d combine the two to bring you one article about some of the moms who raise their young in Delaware’s marsh areas – osprey, spring peepers and muskrats.Breathing Easier – Delaware’s Air Quality Monitoring Network
The first week of May marks the beginning of Air Quality Awareness Week. DNREC ‘s Air Quality Monitoring Stations, located throughout the state, are helping us breathe easier.Our Planet, Our Responsibility
Most of us do the best we can to reduce our carbon footprint by recycling more, taking more public transportation, or using less electricity to heat and cool our homes. But what else can we do? Outdoor Delaware asked our experts for a list of the best ways we can help our planet.The Transformers
You may not have heard about them, but there are brownfields all over Delaware. They’re neither pretty nor healthy. That is, until we step in to clean them up and make way for redevelopment.More Than a Drink of WATAR
Safer water for us, less flooding and shad returning to their spawning grounds in the Brandywine River. Our WATAR team is making it happen.Answering the Call 24/7 – Our Emergency Response Team
Our Emergency Response Team is the state’s designated first responder for environmental emergencies. The team is on call 24/7 to respond to emergencies from oil spills to clandestine drug labs, chemical leaks, radiological incidents and many more that may occur.Scientific Collection Permits
The Division of Fish and Wildlife issues permits to collect protected wildlife, finfish, shellfish or their nests or eggs for scientific, education or propagating purposes. Permits are issued for up to one year and may require review and approval from a relevant taxa project leader.Microplastics: A Not So Tiny Tale
What happens to plastic after it fulfills its original purpose? Recycling gives many plastic items a second use but vast amounts are discarded and make their way into the environment. Some of this becomes microplastics. DNREC scientists are working on ways to clean them up.Our Weatherization Assistance Program – Helping Families Reduce Energy Costs
DNREC can help even out the potentially high costs of home heating, and make a home more energy efficient, through the Weatherization Assistance Program.Hanging with the Bats
Many of us are scared of bats. But they’re far more beneficial than harmful – and they’re not out to get us.“Not My Trash – But I Picked It Up.”
Coastal Cleanup 2020
For 32 years, volunteers cleared tons of trash from Delaware beaches in single-day events. In 2020, to make the Coastal Cleanup accessible and safe for everyone, the effort transitioned to a month-long campaign. Go Herpin’ — Join the Effort to Catalogue Delaware’s Reptiles and Amphibians
You can help us create the first-ever Delaware Amphibian and Reptile Atlas by submitting photos and locations of Delaware’s reptiles and amphibians, or as we call them, “herps.”Our Own Toliara
Toliara is a radiated tortoise who lives at the Brandywine Zoo. Radiated tortoises are reptiles and considered among the most beautiful in the world. His ancestors emerged on land shortly after dinosaurs became extinct some 65 million years ago.What About Kestrels? The Brandywine Zoo is Finding Out
The American kestrel is a pint-sized yet ferocious aerial predator notorious for taking out tree swallows or bluebirds in mid-air. About the size of a mourning dove, this raptor is the smallest and most colorful falcon in North America.Jellyfish to Watch Out For
Are you planning to go for a swim? If so, you may encounter jellyfish because they love warm water. And there are several species of jellies you should keep a watchful eye on as you venture out for a dip.Everything Including the Kitchen “Sink” — Delaware’s Artificial Reefs
Over 20 years, Delaware has recycled more than two million tons of rock, 100,000 tons of concrete, 86 tanks and armored personnel carriers, 1,329 retired subway cars and 27 retired vessels to create new, artificial reefs.Electric Vehicles – On the Move in Delaware
Our relationship with electric automobiles has run hot and cold over the last 100 years, with gas-powered vehicles always winning in the end. Now people are looking for cleaner alternatives as concerns for the environment increase.Research and Monitoring
Biologists from the Division of Fish and Wildlife keep track of the state’s fish populations. They work on Delaware’s rivers, ponds, estuaries, the Delaware Bay, and coastal waters and study how different species are faring. What Fisheries Biologists Do Fisheries Biologist John Clark captured and tagged thisAbout the Division of Fish and Wildlife
We Bring You Delaware’s Great Outdoors through Science and Service What We Do Manage the state’s fish and wildlife resources. Enforce laws and regulations designed to protect and conserve these resources. Provide hunter and boater safety education programs. Provide environmental educationEnvironmental Lab
The Delaware Environmental Laboratory is a full-service lab that tests and assesses water, air, soil, hazardous materials, and biological samples. The lab helps monitor the water quality and biological health of Delaware’s surface waters.Contact
Delaware Bay Horseshoe Crab Spawning Survey
Citizen scientists and state researchers have surveyed the horseshoe crabs spawning along Delaware Bay beaches since 1990. The data they have collected has been key for scientists in monitoring changes in numbers of spawning crabs in the Bay.Contact
DNERRhsc@gmail.com 302-739-6377
Fish Monitoring via Electrofisher
The Division of Fish and Wilfdlife uses electrofishing to safely sample fish populations in a variety of water bodies. Electrofishing is one of the most efficient sampling methods available to fisheries biologists. It uses an electric current to temporarily stun fish. This lets biologists sample and survey fish populations with minimal disturbance and risk toVisiting Scientists
The Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve hosts visiting scientists who conduct research of local and national significance that focuses on enhancing coastal management.Contact
Kari St. Laurent, Ph.D. Research Coordinator 302-735-3413
