A happy angler shows off a prized catfish catch at the 2024 Delaware Youth Fishing Tournament sponsored by the Delaware Natural Resources Police and the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife. The upcoming 39th annual youth fishing tournament – set for Saturday June 7 at public ponds in each Delaware county – is free to enter but preregistration is required. /Delaware DNREC photo

Tournament, to be Held at Public Ponds in Each County, is
Free to Enter for Ages 4 to 15, but Preregistration Required

Families are invited to bring their kids out to cast a line for fish big and small when Delaware Natural Resources Police (DNRP) host the 39th Annual Youth Fishing Tournament from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, June 7. The tournament is to be held rain or shine at a public pond in each county: Blockhouse Pond in Lewes, Akridge Scout Reservation in the Dover area, and Lums Pond near Bear.

Entering the youth fishing tournament is free for ages 4 to 15, but preregistration is required by Friday, May 23.

DNRP will have tournament weighmasters onsite at each pond to weigh catches for participants and determine each county’s top catch and age group titles, as well as the title of overall state winner. Trophies for the Youth Fishing Tournament county winners and the overall state winner will be presented at the Delaware State Fair in July.

Sponsored by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, DNRP and the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife, the Delaware Youth Fishing Tournament was established to introduce youth to the sport of fishing and to teach the catch-and-release approach to conservation. More information on the Youth Fishing Tournament can be found on the DNREC events calendar or at de.gov/yft.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife conserves and manages Delaware’s fish and wildlife and their habitats, and provides fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and boating access on more than 68,000 acres of public land. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

Media contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov 

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The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control reminds the public that Delaware’s Ozone Season and open burning ban take effect May 1 and continue through Sept. 30.

The statewide ban restricts most but not all outdoor burning in Delaware. During the ban, residents and visitors to the First State are allowed to conduct cooking fires, recreational campfires, and ceremonial bonfires. But even these actions can be limited, namely if an Air Quality Action Day is declared, or if the State Fire Marshall issues a more restrictive burn ban.

“The burning ban is critical for continuing to improve our air quality,” said Environmental Scientist Gerald Mood of the DNREC Division of Air Quality. “As summer temperatures rise, and as we get longer daylight hours, the conditions which allow for the formation of ground level ozone become more prevalent.”

He noted that smoke from burning materials contains many components, including particulate matter and chemicals that can react in the atmosphere to create ozone.

The annual burn ban includes agricultural and prescribed burns, as well as the burning of brush, branches and limbs from residential property. It is against the law in Delaware to burn leaves, grass, trash, garbage, or refuse such as tires, construction or demolition waste, paper, cardboard, plastic, furniture, fabric and mattresses. Complaints about illegal open burning should be reported to the toll-free DNREC Environmental Hotline at 800-662-8802.

During the burn ban and Ozone Season, Delawareans can rely on alternatives to burning their waste materials, such as:

• Using curbside waste pick-up or drop-off yard waste sites. More information about the disposal of yard waste can be found at de.gov/yardwaste.
• Chipping or shredding limbs and branches to convert them into useful mulch.
• Add yard waste to a compost pile to support a rich backyard garden. For more information, visit de.gov/composting.

More information about open burning can be found at de.gov/openburning.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Air Quality monitors and regulates all emissions to the air. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

Media contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov 

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Submissions to be Featured During Ocean Month in June

Delawareans are encouraged to share their stories of their connections with the ocean ahead of Ocean Month, which is celebrated in June.

Throughout history, the ocean has influenced Delaware’s way of life, creating a rich maritime history that has helped shape the state’s economy and residents’ way of life.

“Ocean lovers all have an ocean story,” said Kristi Lieske, Ocean Planner for the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy. “Whether it’s a childhood fascination with the creatures beneath the surface, the allure of unearthing buried treasure alongside a loved one or how your own livelihood has been shaped by the sea, all stories matter.”

Stories that are submitted will be gathered into a story catalog for public viewing and will be entered into a raffle to receive a DNREC prize pack. Selected submissions will also be featured throughout June on DNREC media. Submissions may also be used as part of Delaware’s Ocean and Bay Plan.

The Delaware Ocean and Bay Plan aims to provide a comprehensive, easy to use resource for decision makers and stakeholders by helping them better understand and manage resources and uses occurring off Delaware’s coast and in the Delaware Bay.

The demand for space in the waters off Delaware’s coast is escalating faster than ever before. Existing uses, such as commercial shipping, and newly emerging uses, such as underwater transmission cables, are expanding.

As the marine resources off our coast are forced to adapt to changing sea levels, warming waters and acidification, it’s important to ensure balance between the uses of ocean and bay and conservation of marine resources.

Voices of the Tide ocean story submissions will be accepted through May 15. Complete guidelines on how to submit can be found online.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy uses science, education, policy development and incentives to address Delaware’s climate, energy and coastal challenges. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

Media Contact: Michael Globetti, Michael.globetti@delaware.gov or Jim Lee, JamesW.Lee@delaware.gov

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A youngster boards a DNREC airboat in the touch-a-boat area at the 2024 Water Family Fest at James Farm Ecological Preserve in Ocean View. Touch-a-boat and other attractions including rain garden development, wetlands exploration, a beekeeping demonstration, and a native plant sale again highlight the annual event co-sponsored by DNREC and the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays /DNREC photo.

Annual Community Water and Nature Event to be Held at James Farm Ecological Preserve in Ocean View

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and the Center for the Inland Bays (CIB) are partnering again to host Water Family Fest and Native Plant Sale. The family-friendly, free admission event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 3 at James Farm Ecological Preserve, located at 30048 Cedar Neck Road, Ocean View.

Since 2019, Water Family Fest highlights the work done by DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship and CIB toward benefiting Delaware’s natural resources and environment – including managing and monitoring wetlands, improving water quality, engaging community members, and overseeing, protecting and enhancing recreational shorelines and other natural resources.

Water Family Fest visitors can enjoy exhibits from more than 35 nature-based organizations and non-profits while participating in outdoor recreational and educational fun activities. Exhibitors offer a variety of environmental topics to explore, including shellfish, buffers, beaches, wetlands, beekeeping, local authors, rain gardens and native plants, which will be sold at the event by local nurseries. Family and children’s activities such as clay crafts, nature games, insect identification, a reading nook are other attractions for the event.

For the second year, Water Family Fest will include a “touch-a-boat” area, a kid-friendly experience where families can view from up close and board several DNREC boats used in field work. An airboat from the Division of Fish and Wildlife, a shallow-drive boat and a larger Shoreline and Waterway Management Section boat from the Division of Watershed Stewardship, along with a US Coast Guard rescue boat (tentative), all are expected at the event. DNREC staff will be circulating within the area to answer questions and explain what the boats are used for within DNREC programs.

Food vendors to be at the event are Grotto Pizza, Bountiful Bowls, and Bethany Brewing. The Dragonfly Trinity band will also be playing at the event’s main stage. Nurseries participating in the festival are Inland Bays Garden Center, Coastal Tributaries, and East View Farms. Sponsors of the event are Freeman Institute, Annie Powell Coldwell Banker Realty, Sussex Conservation District, Del-Coast Design & Build, and Ashton Pools.

Water Family Fest and Native Plant Sale is held as a rain or shine event. Parking for attendees is located across the street from the James Farm Ecological Preserve’s main entrance. Overflow parking will be available at G&E Hardware (30264 Cedar Neck Rd, Ocean View).

More information about the Water Family Fest and Native Plant Sale can be found on the DNREC website.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship develops and implements innovative watershed assessment, monitoring and implementation activities.  For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

Media contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov 

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One focus of the revised 2025-2035 Delaware Wildlife Action Plan is on the state’s Species of Greatest Conservation Need, including (clockwise from left) several species of shorebirds, the bog turtle, and the Monarch butterfly seen in its larval stage as a caterpillar. /DNREC collage

Focus on Keeping Today’s Wildlife from Becoming Tomorrow’s Memories

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is beginning an update of the Delaware Wildlife Action Plan for the next 10 years, kicking off a process that will include federal, state and non-government conservation partners, along with wildlife experts, key stakeholders and the public. The theme of the plan focuses on keeping today’s wildlife from becoming tomorrow’s memories.

Despite being the country’s second smallest state, Delaware is home to a wide range of wildlife. The state has diverse habitats, from the Atlantic Ocean coast to the Piedmont border with Pennsylvania and Maryland. More than 2,800 fish and wildlife species call Delaware home. In 2015, 689 of the state’s species were listed as Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) in the 2015 Wildlife Action Plan.

This 10-year conservation plan, produced by the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife, guides the management of the state’s wildlife and their habitats. Over the next six months, the 2025 revision will reassess the status of all Delaware fish, wildlife and plant species. It will update the SGCN list, evaluate their key habitats, identify current and future threats these species face, and outline conservation actions needed to keep these species from becoming rarer and more costly to conserve.

The wildlife action plan provides a template for helping Delaware fulfill its responsibility to conserve varied fish and wildlife species and their natural habitats for future generations. It helps protect endangered, threatened or rare wildlife and those that are common.

Delaware’s revised wildlife action plan also fulfills a federal mandate that enables the state to receive conservation management funding under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s State Wildlife Grant program. Each state must revise their wildlife action plan every 10 years to maintain eligibility for the funding – which in Delaware’s case provides an historic opportunity to reverse the decline of many important wildlife populations and the loss of key habitats.

To aid in this effort, the Division of Fish and Wildlife will use data from surveys, monitoring, and research collected over the last 10 years to evaluate and update species and habitat distribution, abundance, and population status, as recommended in the 2015 wildlife action plan. This information will be used to identify limiting factors, habitat requirements, and other key SGCN data to address emerging threats – such as new diseases or invasive species, or the long-term impacts from climate change expected to pose threats in the coming years.

Although the Division of Fish and Wildlife leads the project, the plan is meant for anyone interested in the state’s wildlife species and habitat conservation and management. The plan presents an opportunity to collaborate with leading scientists, conservationists and private landowners. Together, they can help ensure that Delaware’s wildlife populations continue to thrive or bounce back from environmental threats that might have displaced them or put them at risk, such as loss of habitat from climate change and sea level rise.

DNREC will seek input for the plan through a series of public information sessions planned for late July and early August, with the dates soon to be determined. Until then, comments are welcomed throughout the plan’s revision process and can be made to DEWAP2025@delaware.gov. Later this summer, draft versions of the revised plan also will be available for review as they are completed ahead of the plan’s publication in early fall.

For more information on the Delaware Wildlife Action Plan, and to stay up to date on the revision process, including the upcoming information sessions, visit de.gov/dewap.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife conserves and manages Delaware’s fish and wildlife and their habitats, and provides fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and boating access on more than 68,000 acres of public land. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

Media contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov 

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