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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DNREC Launches Earth Day Video Contest

Deadline is Monday, April 12

With Earth Day exactly one month away, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is launching a video contest to educate and engage youth about the importance of environmental protection and inspire them to be part of the solution to address climate change.

The global theme for Earth Day 2021, Restore the Earth, brings hope that all people can come together to heal the planet. The contest invites Delaware students to produce and submit a 30-second video to answer the question, “What should we be doing to protect and restore our Earth?”

“Earth Day has inspired environmental activism for two generations, and today’s youth are growing up in a world where we have a much better understanding of the impact our actions have on our planet, said DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin. “This contest provides students with an opportunity to showcase ways they are helping to continue the legacy of those who came before, and how their actions today will ensure a clean, green planet for generations to come.”

The contest is open to Delaware students and will be judged in three age categories: K through 4, 5 through 8, and 9 through 12. Entries must be original, unpublished and created solely by the entrant. All entries must be accompanied by release forms for all students appearing in the video, signed by their parent or legal guardian. The deadline for entries is 4 p.m. Monday, April 12.

Judging will be based on how well the videos represent the following criteria: message/theme, visual effectiveness, originality/creativity and universal appeal. The judging panel will include an educator, a scientist and videographer.

Winners will be announced in an awards ceremony on Earth Day, Thursday, April 22. Winners for each category will receive a certificate, a $500 gift card, an annual pass to Delaware State Parks and a prize bag.

Winning videos will be shared on the DNREC website and social media networks. For complete rules and more information, or to submit a video, visit dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov.

Between now and Earth Day – April 22 – Delawareans will have several opportunities to celebrate the natural world, learn about the science of climate change and take action. To learn more, follow @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

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. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov; Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov

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DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife announces 2019 Delaware Fishing Photo Contest winners

Winning entry in DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife’s 2019 Delaware Fishing Photo Contest by Dave Tally of Camden, titled “Purple Worm,” and taken of two anglers fishing on McColley Pond in Kent County. The photo will be featured on the cover of the 2020 Delaware Fishing Guide.

DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announced today that Dave Tally of Camden won the 2019 Delaware Fishing Photo Contest, for best portraying this year’s contest theme, “Get Out and Fish DE.” His winning photo of two anglers fishing on McColley Pond in Kent County, titled “Purple Worm,” will be featured on the cover of the 2020 Delaware Fishing Guide, with four other winning photos to be displayed inside the guide.

The other contest winners are:

  • Second place: “Filling the Basket with Pop Pop” by Michael Cox of Middletown featuring his father and daughter with a bushel of crabs at Woodland Beach.
  • Honorable mention: “It’s All About that Bass” by Jessica Scholl of Wilmington for her photo of Steve and Madison Kohn on Blairs Pond near Milford.
  • Honorable mention: “What a CRAPPIE Day” by Raymond Howard Scheufele of Harrington for his photo of son Raymond Lee on McColley Pond.
  • Honorable mention: “1st Time Fishing” by Andrea Olson of Milton for her photo of daughter Alexandria fishing at the Broadkill River near Milton.w

The winning entries are posted on the Fish & Wildlife photo contest webpage, along with information about the annual photo contests.

DNREC’s 2020 Delaware Fishing Guide will soon be online, with hard copies also available where fishing licenses are sold, at that time. Details for the Division of Fish & Wildlife’s 2020 Fishing Photo Contest will be announced in April.

The Division of Fish & Wildlife’s annual Hunting Photo Contest is currently accepting entries through Friday, Jan. 31, 2020. Information and forms are available on the Division of Fish & Wildlife’s website or from Jennifer Childears at 302-739-9910 or Jennifer.childears@delaware.gov.

Follow DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife on Facebook, www.facebook.com/DelawareFishWildlife.

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


DNREC Shoreline & Waterway Management Section announces results from dune sign contest

DOVER – The results are in for the DNREC’s Shoreline & Waterway Management Section’s “Keep Off the Dunes” signage contest, which invited the public to submit eye-catching and effective original artwork and messaging to remind beachgoers of the importance of protecting Delaware’s vibrant but fragile dune system.

Winners were selected in three categories by Shoreline & Waterway Management staff from 36 entries:

Adult
First place – The Chesapeake Mermaid, Angela R. Mitchell, Chesapeake Beach, Md.
Second place – Jane Mruk, Odessa
Third place – Gregory Young, Wilmington

Teen
First place – Amanda Silar, Sussex Technical High School
Second place – Ally Collier, Sussex Technical High School
Third place – Nadjina Bogle, Sussex Technical High School

Kids
First place – Lily Reed, Felton
Second place – Ava Shilling, Hereford, Md.*
Third place – Sydney P., Hereford, Md.*
*Signs made in the Water Family Fest, held in June at the James Farm Preserve in Ocean View

Delaware’s Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay coastal dunes are vital in the state’s defense against coastal storms and extreme weather events. Dunes are also important natural habitats for plants and animals. To keep dunes strong enough to help protect our environment and the ecosystems they support, Delawareans need to protect the dunes by staying off of them. DNREC emphasizes this message by posting beach signs to encourage beach-goers to use provided crossovers along the dune system to avoid damaging the dunes.

To see the winners of the Keep Off the Dunes sign contest, please visit https://de.gov/dunesign. Winners will be announced and their entries displayed at University of Delaware’s Coast Day Oct. 6. The winning artwork in the contest may be reproduced as signs and placed near dunes along Delaware’s coastline.

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


DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife seeks great shots for annual hunting photo contest

Hunters encouraged to ‘Get Out and Hunt DE’ and to submit digital entries through Jan. 31

DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announced today their annual Delaware Hunting Photo Contest to promote hunting by encouraging hunters to “Get Out and Hunt DE,” and to capture and share photographs of their hunting experiences. The winning photograph will be featured on the cover of the 2020/2021 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide, with the top five photographs presented inside the guide.

The contest is open to all Delaware residents, with a maximum of three entries per person. Photographs should be submitted digitally at Fish & Wildlife photo contest. Entries will be accepted through Friday, Jan. 31, 2020.

A judging panel comprised of Division of Fish & Wildlife staff will be looking for technically-suitable, well-composed photos that best portray this year’s contest theme, “Get Out and Hunt DE.” To be eligible, photographs must have been taken in Delaware and depict persons involved in lawful hunting activities.

Complete contest rules and information, entry forms, and instructions for uploading entries can be found at Fish & Wildlife photo contest. For more information, please contact Jennifer Childears at 302-739-9910 or jennifer.childears@delaware.gov.

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. 238