DNREC to Offer ‘Life in the Bay’ Educational Youth Seining Program

Seining involves a long narrow net cast into the water followed by pulling the net in to see what kind of marine life was caught (and then released during the “Life in the Bay” seining program at DNREC’s Aquatic Resources Education Center near Smyrna). /DNREC photo

New Outdoor Program Upcoming in August at Aquatic Resources Education Center

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control invites families to participate in a new educational program called “Life in the Bay” geared toward children age 6 and older, as well as adults who want to learn about fish and other aquatic creatures that live in the Delaware Bay.

Staff from DNREC’s Aquatic Resources Education Center (AREC) managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife will be on hand to seine for aquatic creatures along the edge of the Delaware Bay and help participants discover and learn about aquatic life found there.

Program participants will observe AREC staff as they use a seine net to capture aquatic life along the shoreline. Later, participants will have an opportunity to view the catch and assist staff in releasing what has been caught by seining. Closed toed shoes are a must for participating in “Life in the Bay.” All other equipment will be provided by staff.

Seining programs are scheduled next month for:

Wednesday, Aug. 9, 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 16, 10:30 a.m. to noon.

To ensure enough supplies are on hand for these free programs, pre-registration is required. To pre-register for the program, visit the DNREC events calendar, de.gov/dnrecmeetings. To learn more about AREC or the program, visit de.gov/arec.

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 nearly 68,000 acres of public land owned or managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.

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

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Celebrate Earth Day with ‘Marsh Madness’ Salt Marsh Tours at DNREC Aquatic Resources Education Center near Smyrna

The salt marsh boardwalk at DNREC’s Aquatic Resources Education Center near Smyrna will host ecological tours Saturday, April 22 in recognition of Earth Day/DNREC photo

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control invites the public to celebrate Earth Day 2023 by touring a tidal salt marsh and discovering one of the most amazing ecosystems on earth. DNREC’s Aquatic Resources Education Center will host a special “Marsh Madness” program highlighting the tidal salt marsh at the Tony Florio Woodland Beach Wildlife Area near Smyrna, Del. on Saturday, April 22, from 10 a.m. until noon.

Educators from the Aquatic Resources Education Center, managed by the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife, will lead tours for an up-close view of the tidal salt marsh and aquatic life found there. The salt marsh connects to the Delaware Bay through a network of tidal streams where visitors can watch fiddler crabs on the banks during low tide and sometimes see egrets, herons and other species on the marsh.

Participants are encouraged to dress for the weather and to bring drinking water, sunscreen and insect repellent.

For more information or directions to Aquatic Resources Education Center, visit the DNREC events calendar.

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

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DNREC Announces Aquatic Resources Education Center’s Second Annual Photography Contest

A photo titled “Winter Hike at Dusk Near the Marsh” by James Blackstock submitted for last year’s AREC Photo Contest.

Photographers and nature lovers are invited to submit photographs for the second annual Aquatic Resources Education Center (AREC) nature photography contest, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today. The contest is intended to increase public awareness and promote the natural wonders of the AREC and surrounding Tony Florio Woodland Beach Wildlife Area. Children and adults are encouraged to visit the wildlife area and take and submit photographs of birds, nature to include aquatic life, other wildlife and scenic landscapes, and people enjoying the outdoors.

The photography contest is open from Friday, April 22 through Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. Photographs entered in the contest must have been taken at the Woodland Beach Wildlife Area from Jan. 1, 2022 through Sept. 29, 2022. Prizes will be awarded in three categories: birds, nature and people enjoying the outdoors, and in three age groups for each category: under age 13, teens age 13 through 18 and adults aged 19 and older.

Judging will be based on how well the photographs represent the following criteria: things you can see and do at the Woodland Beach Wildlife Area, originality/creativity and universal appeal. The judging panel will include DNREC educators at the Aquatic Resources Education Center. Winners will be notified by email.

Managed by the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife, the AREC and Tony Florio Woodland Beach Wildlife Area are located along Delaware’s Bayshore Byway on Route 9 near Smyrna. The wildlife area connects to the Delaware Bay through a network of brackish tidal marshes and streams where visitors can observe a variety of wildlife, including a wide array of birds. Trails and blinds are available for viewing birds and other wildlife, and a raised boardwalk and observation tower offer vistas of the marsh and tidal streams.

Contest rules and more information, including entry submission, can be found at AREC photo contest. Information about the AREC is available at de.gov/arec.

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 nearly 68,000 acres of public land. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

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Photographers and Nature Lovers Invited to Enter Aquatic Resources Education Center Photo Contest

Photographers and nature lovers are invited by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control to submit photographs for the first annual Aquatic Resources Education Center (AREC) nature photography contest. The contest is intended to increase public awareness and promote the natural wonders of the AREC and surrounding Tony Florio Woodland Beach Wildlife Area. Children and adults are encouraged to visit the wildlife area and take and submit photographs of aquatic life, birds and other wildlife, scenic landscapes, and people enjoying the outdoors.

The photo contest is open for entries Monday, May 3 through Monday, Aug. 16, 2021. Photos entered in the contest must have been taken between Jan. 1, 2021 and Aug. 16, 2021. Prizes will be awarded in three categories: birds, nature, and people enjoying nature, in three age groups: under age 13, teens age 13 to 18, and adults age 19 and older.

Judging will be based on how well the photos represent the following criteria: things you can see and do at the Woodland Beach Wildlife Area, originality/creativity and universal appeal. The judging panel will include DNREC educators at the Aquatic Resources Education Center. Winners will be notified by email Friday, Aug. 27, 2021.

Managed by the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife, AREC and the Woodland Beach Wildlife Area are located along Delaware’s Bayshore Byway on Route 9 near Smyrna. The wildlife area connects to the Delaware Bay through a network of brackish tidal streams and marshes where visitors can observe a variety of wildlife, including fiddler crabs on the banks during low tide and occasionally river otters. Trails are available for viewing birds and other wildlife, and a raised boardwalk and observation tower offer vistas of the marsh and tidal streams.

To submit contest entries or for rules and more information, visit AREC photo contest.

For information about AREC, visit de.gov/arec.

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 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 nearly 65,000 acres of public land. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

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Adult anglers can try their luck at fishing events July 26 and Aug. 1 at DNREC’s Aquatic Resources Education Center

SMYRNA – DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Aquatic Resources Education Center invites anglers age 18 and older to try their luck at two upcoming adult fishing outings hosted by the center. The events will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, July 26 and Thursday, Aug. 1 at the Aquatic Resources Education Center at 2520 Lighthouse Road, Smyrna, DE 19977. The center offers two catch-and-release fishing ponds, one of them with shoreline fishing and the second with a handicap-accessible floating dock.

Aquatic Resources Education Center staff will be on hand to help adult anglers and also will answer questions about one of Delaware’s prime outdoor recreational opportunities. While participation is free, all adult anglers must have either a current Delaware fishing license or, if they are license-exempt, a Delaware Fisherman Information Network (FIN) number.

Delaware fishing licenses are sold online, at the licensing desk in DNREC’s Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, and by fishing license agents statewide. To find a participating agent, or to purchase a license online, visit Delaware Licenses. For additional information on Delaware fishing licenses, call 302-739-9918. License-exempt anglers, including Delaware residents 65 and older, may visit www.delaware-fin.com or call 800-432-9228 toll-free to obtain their free FIN number.

Interested participants can register for the Aquatic Resources Education Center’s adult fishing outings by emailing Mary Rivera of the Division of Fish & Wildlife.

For more information on fishing in Delaware, visit 2019 Delaware Fishing Guide. The guide also is available in printed form at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk, and from license agents throughout the state.

Follow the Division of Fish & Wildlife on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/DelawareFishWildlife.

Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 49, No. 201