Make an ‘ECOnnection’ with DNREC at this year’s Delaware State Fair

Step right up and into DNREC’s newly-climate-controlled fair building for exhibits and environmental displays galore!

HARRINGTON  – With the 2017 Delaware State Fair throwing open the gates today for its fun-filled 10-day run (Thursday, July 20 thru Saturday, July 29), DNREC is again right in the middle of the annual extravaganza – with an array of environmental displays in a newly-climate-controlled State Fair building, and game prizes to be won by kids of all ages for showing their knowledge about the state’s natural resources and environment.

Under the banner with this year’s theme, “DNREC – Your ECOnnection,” DNREC’s displays link visitors to environmentally-friendly programs and ideas. Fairgoers will find information and activities from DNREC’s divisions and programs. Featured this year: DNREC’s refurbished Energy House and a new interactive watershed display demonstrating how water flows and wetlands hold water, plus a 3-D map of stormwater runoff flowing from a suburban yard to Delaware’s wetlands, rivers, streams, bay and the ocean. State Fair visitors young and older also are invited to play DNREC’s scavenger hunt game for discovering eco-friendly facts about Delaware that can be found within the DNREC building, and to pick from a wide range of prizes after their successful “hunt.”

Meanwhile, the DNREC On Stage theater offers a preview of programs from parks, nature centers and other facilities statewide owned and operated by the Department’s Divisions of Fish & Wildlife, Parks & Recreation and Watershed Stewardship. Stop by daily to learn more about what we have to offer – and discover unique new places you and your family can visit!

ECOnnect with DNREC!
At the Fair, adults and kids of all ages can learn more about the science behind the work DNREC does in protecting the environment and Delaware’s natural resources. DNREC’s building includes displays, hands-on activities and educational games. At DNREC on Stage, in the building’s air-conditioned theater, they will also see live animal shows and presentations ranging from maritime history to geology to Delaware’s unique plants and animals. DNREC’s building is located on the fair grounds’ East Rider Road – admission is free and the building is open from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily during the fair. For more information, please visit www.dnrec.delaware.gov.

DNREC on Stage Schedule

Thursday, July 20

  • Noon – 3 p.m. Build Your Own Horseshoe Crab! Kids of all ages are invited to color and create their own model of a horseshoe crab, and learn more about these unique aquatic creatures. (From the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve)

Friday, July 21

  • Noon – 3 p.m. Wildlife in the Parks … and in your Backyard! Learn about the animals that call Lums Pond home – and the critters in your own backyard. Plus, meet some park residents, including a turtle and toad. (From Lums Pond State Park)

Saturday, July 22

  • Noon – 3 p.m. Herbivore, Omnivore, Carnivore! Mammal teeth tell the story of what their owners eat, as illustrated by skulls such as black bear, beaver, deer, and others, along with animal pelts to touch. (From White Clay Creek State Park)
  • 3 – 6 p.m. Live Music with Switchback! Stay awhile and enjoy upbeat rock and pop from the 70s to now with this three-piece local band!

Sunday, July 23

  • Noon – 3 p.m. Bringing the Zoo to You! Meet a few of the residents of Delaware’s very own zoo and learn about where and how they live. (From the Brandywine Zoo)

Monday, July 24 – Senior Day

  • Noon – 3 p.m. Beach Comes to the Fair! Live horseshoe crabs and other beach creatures travel inland to DNREC’s fair building to meet visitors. (From Cape Henlopen State Park)
  • 3 – 6 p.m. Who’s in the Bay Today? Learn about some aquatic species that live in the Delaware Bay and meet some up close! (From the DuPont Nature Center)

Tuesday, July 25 – Kids Day

  • Noon – 3 p.m. Reptiles and Amphibians of Delaware! Meet the often-unnoticed creatures that crawl, hop, swim and slither in our wetlands, woods and waterways. (From Killens Pond State Park)
  • Noon – 3 p.m. Experience Colonial Games and Toys! Costumed interpreters invite visitors to play games and check out toys from Colonial times, on the DNREC building’s porch. (From First State Heritage Park)
  • 3 – 6 p.m. Shipwrecks & Surfman Selfies! Celebrate Delaware Seashore State Park’s 50th anniversary with displays telling the park’s unique story and maritime history activities.

Wednesday, July 26 – Armed Forces Day/Military Appreciation Day

  • Noon – 3 p.m. Creating Power through Natural Resources! See how water creates power by watching a steam engine in action, then create your own pinwheel to harness wind and make energy (From Auburn Heights Preserve)
  • 3 – 6 p.m. Travel Back to the Civil War Days! Interpreters in period costume invite children to play games and try on period costumes, then march in children’s infantry drills. (From Fort Delaware State Park)

Thursday, July 27 – Governors Day/Senior Day

  • 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Join DNREC’s Volunteer Olympics! Get a taste of some of the volunteer opportunities DNREC offers by competing in fast and fun games including beach grass planting and horseshoe crab counting … with prizes.
  • 1 – 2 p.m. DNREC Awards at Mann Tharp Pavilion! DNREC’s Young Environmentalists, Youth Fishing Tournament winners, Wetland Warriors, Volunteers of the Year, Hunting and Fishing Photo Contest winners and Rain Barrel Art Contest winners will be recognized. Also, get a close-up look at one of DNREC’s environmental Emergency Response Team vehicles.
  • 1:40 p.m. Bayshore Forever! Catch the premiere of this new video tour of Delaware’s beautiful Bayshore region.
  • 3 – 6 p.m. Horseshoe Crabs and Skins, Scat and Tracks! Two fascinating programs about Delaware’s resident living fossil – the horseshoe crab – and a close-up look at identifying animals by their tracks, scat and skins. (From the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve)

Friday, July 28

  • Noon – 3 p.m. Beauty and the Beaks! Learn about how different kinds of Delaware birds use their specialized beaks and feathers – and try being a bird. (From Alapocas Run State Park/Wilmington State Parks)
  • 3 – 6 p.m. Primitive Skills: Making Slate Cutting Tools! Learn how our ancient ancestors created cutting tools from slate and try making your own slate tools with help from a park naturalist. (Killens Pond State Park)
  • 4:30 – 9 p.m. How Does Your Deer Measure Up? Learn how Boone & Crockett’s white-tailed deer scoring system works, see some examples of mounted record-holders and get your own evaluated. (On the DNREC Bldg. porch)

Vol. 47, No. 163

Media contact: Joanna Wilson, 302-739-9902 or Joanna.Wilson@delaware.gov

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Public invited to vote online through June 9 for best artwork in DNREC-sponsored rain barrel contests

DOVER – The public’s art appreciation is sought in voting for favorite entries now online in the 2017 artistic rain barrel contest sponsored by DNREC’s Watershed Assessment and Management Section within the Division of Watershed Stewardship. DNREC sponsors the contest as a fun way to educate the community on the benefits of using rain barrels to reduce stormwater runoff and improve water quality.

Eight local artists and 10 entries from youth or groups of young people were selected to paint creative designs on their rain barrels. Online voting continues through Friday, June 9 for selecting this year’s winning rain barrel artworks.

DNREC chose the artists based on their applications and designs. After being selected, the artists had five weeks to paint and return their barrels. All artistic rain barrels in this year’s contests are now on display for public viewing at the Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village in Dover through July 18.

Five adult finalists and five youth finalists will be determined by online voting. The five student finalists will have their rain barrels displayed to be voted on by Delaware State Fair visitors for determining the grand prize winner, while the adult grand prize winner will be chosen by a panel of judges. Results for the youth rain barrel contest will be announced, and the grand prize winner of the adult contest will be recognized, on Governor’s Day (Thursday, July 27) at the fair.

Following the contest, the artistic rain barrels will be dispersed for display at local events, businesses, schools, churches and with local governments. Businesses, organizations and non-profit groups interested in displaying an artist’s rain barrel, please contact Sara Wozniak at mailto:sara.wozniak@delaware.govor 302-382-0335.

Rain barrels are used to collect and store water from roofs and downspouts for future uses such as watering lawns, gardens, and house plants; cleaning off gardening tools; and washing your car. Rain barrels are also important for the environment because they help reduce water pollution by decreasing the amount of stormwater runoff reaching Delaware’s streams and rivers.

Media contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 47, No. 128

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Governor’s Weekly Message: Celebrating the Delaware State Fair

Wilmington, DE – In his weekly message, Governor Markell celebrates the Delaware State Fair and discusses the important and growing role of agriculture in the First State.

“This week, for the final time as Governor I had the opportunity to attend our Delaware State Fair which for nearly a century has celebrated our vibrant agriculture community,” Governor Markell said. “I am honored to pay tribute to the many dedicated staff and volunteers, 4H and FFA students, and farming families who make the State Fair possible and who help us better appreciate the important role that agriculture plays here in Delaware. Their contributions drive our success today and will leave a lasting legacy for generations to come. And that will keep Delaware moving forward.”

Every week, the Governor’s office releases a new Weekly Message in video, audio, and transcript form. The message is available on:

YouTube: https://youtu.be/tkjOkFjUaWM
Delaware.Gov:http://governor.delaware.gov/podcast_video.shtml
By email: Please contact our press team to subscribe to our press list
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/governormarkell
Twitter:  www.twitter.com/governormarkell

Transcript of the Governor’s Weekly Message: Celebrating the Delaware State Fair


DNREC at the 2016 Delaware State Fair

Educational attractions at the DNREC Building and a full schedule of activities, presentations and games.

2016 Delaware State Fair, A Slice of Summer FunHARRINGTON – With the 2016 Delaware State Fair throwing open the gates tomorrow for its fun-filled run (Thursday, July 21 thru Saturday, July 30), DNREC is again right in the middle of the annual extravaganza – with more environmental displays than ever at the Fair, more Delaware State Parks presentations in celebrating Parks’ 65th anniversary, and game prizes to be won by kids of all ages from testing their knowledge about the state’s natural resources from taking in all those displays and presentations. All in the DNREC Education Building, on East Rider Rd., near the Center Ice Rink on the fairgrounds.

DNREC’s Funhouse of Science, located in the building’s main room, features a dozen displays from DNREC’s divisions and programs offering information and activities on everything from increasingly popular “living shorelines” to improving Delaware’s air quality to making recycling a lifestyle choice. New this year: DNREC’s refurbished Energy House, plus displays on living shorelines, Delaware’s tax ditches and climate change. State Fair visitors young and older also are invited to play DNREC’s scavenger hunt game for “hunting down” facts about Delaware natural resources and environmental knowledge that can be found within the DNREC building, and to pick from a wide array of prizes when they succeed in completing the hunt.

Outside the building, don’t miss T-Rex, the Division of Energy & Climate’s mobile solar power station – you can even plug in your phone for a quick charge … with clean energy from the sun! Back inside the building, DNREC’s On Stage theater offers a preview of programs from parks, nature centers and other facilities statewide owned and operated by the Department’s Divisions of Fish & WildlifeParks & Recreation and Watershed Stewardship. Stop by daily to learn more about Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and what we have to offer – and discover unique new places you and your family can visit!

DNREC’s Fun House of Science

Adults and kids of all ages are invited to visit DNREC’s Fun House of Science at the Delaware State Fair July 21-30 where they can discover the science behind the work DNREC does to protect the environment and Delaware’s natural resources. DNREC’s building includes displays, hands-on activities and educational games with prizes, as well as live animal shows and presentations about subjects from maritime history to geology to Delaware’s unique plants and animals in its air-conditioned theater, DNREC On Stage. Tropo, the Division of Air Quality’s big blue mascot, also will be making a special appearance. The Fun House of Science, located in DNREC’s Education Building on East Rider Road on the Fairgrounds, is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m., every day during the fair. For more information, visit www.dnrec.delaware.gov or call 302-739-9902.

DNREC On-Stage Schedule

  • Thursday, July 21
    • Noon – 3 p.m.: See Live Horseshoe Crabs! Learn fascinating facts about this unique and ancient Bayshore species from DNREC’s Aquatic Resources Education Center staff – and see them up close.
  • Friday, July 22
    • Noon – 3 p.m.: Create Power … with Water and Wind! Watch a steam engine and water wheel in action, and then create your own pinwheel to harness wind and make energy from our natural resources. (From Delaware State Parks’ Auburn Heights Preserve)
    • 3 – 6 p.m.: Explore the Cape’s Coastal Habitats! Follow clues to investigate habitats on Cape Henlopen – maritime forest, sand dunes and salt marsh – and learn about the animal and plant species that call the Cape home. (From Cape Henlopen State Park)
  • Saturday, July 23
    • Noon – 3 p.m.: Discover Geology of White Clay Creek! Touch rocks and minerals that created White Clay Creek’s watershed and learn how geologists can read Earth’s history in these pieces of our planet.
  • Sunday, July 24

    • Noon – 3 p.m.: Bringing the Zoo to You! Meet a few of the unique residents of Delaware’s own Brandywine Zoo and learn about where and how they live.
  • Monday, July 25 – Senior Day
    • Noon – 3 p.m.: Go Down in the Paw-Paw Patch! Learn about North America’s largest yet little-known native fruit tree, the pawpaw, and its role in the life of the zebra swallowtail butterfly. (From Alapocas Run/Wilmington State Parks)
    • 3 – 6 p.m.: Wiggly Worms at Work! See red wiggler worms at work in a compost bin and discover how these dirt-dwellers help us by creating soil. (From Bellevue State Park)
  • Tuesday, July 26 – Kids Day
    • 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Meet Tropo! DNREC’s Division of Air Quality’s big blue mascot will entertain visitors while promoting the importance of clean air in Delaware. Shows on the half hour.
    • Noon – 3 p.m.: Build Your Own Horseshoe Crab! Kids of all ages are invited to color and create their own model horseshoe crab, and learn more about this unique aquatic species. (From the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve)
    • 3 – 6 p.m.: Make Slate Cutting Tools! Learn how primitive cultures created slate cutting tools and practice your own primitive skills with a park naturalist. (From Killens Pond State Park)
  • Wednesday, July 27 – Armed Forces Day/Military Appreciation Day
    • Noon – 3 p.m.: Maritime History and Beach Creatures! Learn about Delaware’s seafaring past and try tying sailor’s knots … then get to know beach-dwelling terrapins and osprey. (From the Indian River Life-Saving Station)
    • 3 – 6 p.m.: Play Colonial Games! Costumed interpreters on the DNREC building porch invite visitors to play games and check out toys from Colonial times. (From the First State Heritage Park)
    • 3 – 6 p.m.: Travel Back to the Civil War Days! Interpreters in period costume invite children to play games and try on period costumes, then march in children’s infantry drills. (From Fort Delaware State Park)
  • Thursday, July 28Governors Day/Senior Day
  • Friday, July 29
    • Noon – 3 p.m.: Skins, Scat and Tracks – and a Living Fossil! Two fascinating programs from the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve: a close-up look at identifying animals by their tracks, scat and skins, and a look at Delaware’s resident living fossil, the horseshoe crab. Presentations at noon, 1 and 2 p.m.
    • 3 – 6 p.m.: Living Life in a Swamp! Learn about the animals that live in wetland areas and meet two swamp-dwellers: a box turtle and a corn snake. (From Trap Pond State Park)
    • 4:30 – 9 p.m.: How Does Your Deer Measure Up? Learn how Boone & Crockett’s white-tailed deer scoring system works, see some examples of mounted record-holders and get your own evaluated. (On the DNREC Bldg. porch)
  • Saturday, July 30
    • Noon – 3 p.m.: Living Life in a Swamp! Learn about the animals that live in wetland areas and meet two swamp-dwellers: a box turtle and a corn snake. (From Trap Pond State Park)
    • 3-6 p.m.: Reptiles and Amphibians of Delaware! Meet those often-unnoticed creatures that crawl, hop, swim and slither in our wetlands, woods and waterways. (From Killens Pond State Park)
    • 5 p.m.: Live Music with Switchback! Local band Switchback brings their upbeat mix of rock and pop to DNREC’s front porch.

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

Vol. 46, No. 262

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Governor’s Weekly Message: Celebrating Ongoing Agricultural Efforts at the Delaware State Fair

“The Fair is an opportunity to highlight the vibrancy of our agricultural community, a $1.2 billion sector with an $8 billion economic impact,” said Governor Markell. “Our farmers are some of the hardest-working and most efficient in the nation. Their products are in demand around the world and agriculture is vital part of our state’s push to increase international trade – forging bonds between Delaware and our friends and neighbors in countries near and far.”
Every week, the Governor’s office releases a new Weekly Message in video, audio, and transcript form. The message is available on:

YouTube: https://youtu.be/-dkRcNlJnlU
Delaware.Gov: http://governor.delaware.gov/podcast_video.shtml
By email: Please contact our press team to subscribe to our press list
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/governormarkell
Twitter:  www.twitter.com/governormarkell

Transcript of the Governor’s Weekly Message: Celebrating Ongoing Agricultural Efforts at the Delaware State Fair