TOWNSEND – Autumn’s vibrant foliage will be on full display within the lush landscape and pristine waters of the Blackbird Creek Reserve at the 12th Annual Blackbird Creek Fall Festival Saturday, Oct. 19 on the Delaware Bayshore Byway. The festival takes place rain or shine, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Blackbird Creek Reserve, 801 Blackbird Landing Road near Townsend. The Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve (DNERR) and DNREC’s Delaware Coastal Programs host the festival along the banks of Blackbird Creek.

“The Blackbird Creek Fall Festival showcases one of Delaware’s natural treasures and provides an opportunity for visitors to experience first-hand some of our state’s unique environmental wonders,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “Plus, the lineup of activities for all ages, food, and music make this a fun and educational event that the entire family can enjoy.”

The Black Creek Fall Festival is DNERR’s largest event of the year. This year’s festival features a fall native plant sale held for the first time in conjunction with Delaware Wildlands. Additionally, the festival offers traditional crafts and demonstrations by a blacksmith, hands-on learning about the estuary, canoeing, live music and kids’ activities. Visitors may also browse the works of artisans and exhibitors, enjoy hayrides and a hay maze, learn to cast a fishing line, go on a guided hike of the reserve, and check out Native American cultural demonstrations. The musical lineup for the day includes the Smyrna High School Drum Line, Jerry “Crabmeat” Thompson, Bryan Scar, and East of the Mason Dixon Line.

Families also can get a “passport” and earn a prize by visiting all the participating stations throughout the festival, learning about the natural resources and heritage of the Delaware Bay through games, demonstrations and challenges. Food vendors will also be on-site to provide a variety of food and snacks for purchase.

For more information on the Blackbird Creek Fall Festival, contact Maggie Pletta, Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve, 302-739-6377 or visit http://de.gov/blackbirdfestival.

Contact: Maggie Pletta, DNREC Delaware Coastal Programs, 302-739-6377

Vol. 49, No. 244

LEWES – Delaware’s coastal and natural resources will be featured from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 6 at DNREC’s Coast Day education tent between the Smith and Cannon buildings on the campus of the University of Delaware’s College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment at 700 Pilottown Road, Lewes, DE 19958.

Coast Day is the university’s annual outreach event that attracts thousands of visitors from Delaware and throughout the region to showcase the latest in ocean science and conservation.

“Coast Day celebrates Delaware’s coastal resources and brings together partners who are committed to preserving our beaches, waterways, tidal marshes, farmland, upland forests, bay, and ocean for future generations,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “Coast Day visitors will get a close-up look into the science and technology that is being used and developed to help make important decisions about our natural resources in Delaware and around the globe.”

DNREC’s tent features the agency’s diverse programs that help conserve and protect Delaware’s natural resources and encourages public participation through hands-on activities and educational games that appeal to both adults and children. DNREC has exhibited at Coast Day since the event’s inception in 1976.

This year, a variety of DNREC exhibits with games and giveaways will highlight Delaware’s coastal and natural resources, including:
Shoreline and Waterway Management Section’s Dune Sign Contest winners display, floodplain mapping tool, and dredging survey

• The Delaware Bayshore Initiative’s mini-theater and DuPont Nature Center’s touch tank
• DNREC volunteer opportunities at the EcoCafe
• The Delaware Shorebird Project
• DNREC Recycling Program information and sorting activity
• Outdoor Delaware magazine
• Cape Henlopen State Park Nature Center and Fort Miles programs
• Resources for the public on ocean science from Delaware Coastal Programs
• Air quality monitoring equipment demonstrations
• Information on bats and white-nose syndrome with audio of bat calls and videos from the Species Conservation & Management Program
• Mosquito Control Section‘s tips for knocking out pests
• Wetlands conservation activities for the whole family
• DNREC’s Division of Waste & Hazardous Substances will provide information on Brownfields Development and Heating Fuel Underground Storage Tank Closure Assistance programs.

For more information on the event, visit https://www.deseagrant.org/coast-day.

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

Vol. 49, No. 241

Registration now open for May-July events throughout the state

DOVER – Do you know a child or young teen who might enjoy learning about fishing and delight in having the opportunity to catch a fish? DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife invites budding anglers age 6 through 15 to come out and learn to fish with a parent, grandparent, or guardian on six upcoming “Take a Kid Fishing!” events.

“Take a Kid Fishing!” events are offered free of charge to all participants, and will be held on the following dates:

• 9 a.m. – noon, Saturday, May 18, Aquatic Resources Education Center, Smyrna
• 9 a.m. – noon, Saturday, June 1, Aquatic Resources Education Center, Smyrna
• 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, June 8, Lums Pond State Park, Bear
• 9 a.m. – noon, Saturday, June 15, Aquatic Resources Education Center, Smyrna
• 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Saturday, July 13, Redden State Forest, Georgetown
• 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, July 20, Lums Pond State Park, Bear

Fishing equipment is also provided by the Division of Fish & Wildlife free for use by participants. To ensure that enough supplies are on hand for these events, pre-registration is required. To pre-register for a “Take a Kid Fishing!” event, or for more information about the program or about volunteering as an instructor, please email Mary Rivera at mary.rivera@delaware.gov.

“Take a Kid Fishing!” teaches youngsters fundamental fishing skills and conservation concepts, including catch-and-release. Along with the angling experience, these free fishing events also feature activity stations and prizes. Packing refreshments and a picnic lunch is encouraged.

Most parents, grandparents, or others age 16 and older who engage in fishing with “Take a Kid Fishing!” participants must have a current Delaware fishing license and a Delaware Fisherman Information Network (FIN) number. The free FIN number is included as part of a Delaware fishing license purchase. 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.

Delaware fishing licenses are sold online, at the licensing desk in DNREC’s Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, and by license agents statewide. To find a participating agent, or to purchase a license online, visit Delaware Licenses.

For more information on fishing in Delaware, click on the 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.

“Take a Kid Fishing!” is sponsored by the DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Aquatic Resources Education Center, with host sites provided by the Division of Fish & Wildlife and DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation, and the Delaware Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service. Some of the fishing tackle for these events is donated by Cabela’s located at the Christiana Mall.

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. 118

DOVER –DNREC’s First State Heritage Park’s most popular event returns to The Green this Halloween season. During the park’s “Dark Dover” program, visitors will witness firsthand chilling true stories, and encounter characters whose legends have left their sinister imprint on The Green in Dover.

Eighteenth-century judge Samuel Chew and the murdered servant Cooch Turner are just two of the specters who will appear on this most unusual tour through the Dover Green. Unusual twists include an unexpected re-telling of the “Poison Candy Murder” tale from the point of view of the victim’s deceitful and philandering husband, who attempts to clear his name. The mid-20th-century “Lonely Hearts” murder case adds a grisly but humorous touch to the tour.

To find out what lurks in the shadows, join the First State Heritage Park by moonlight on Fridays, Oct. 19 and 26. The hour-long program is presented at 7 p.m. and again at 8:30 p.m. Admission is $10 per person. Pre-registration is required and space is limited. Call 302-739-9194 to reserve your spot. Tours will meet at the John Bell House on The Green in Dover.

The First State Heritage Park is Delaware’s first urban “park without boundaries,” linking historic and cultural sites in the city that has been the seat of state government since 1777. The park is a partnership of state agencies under the leadership of DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation, working in collaboration with city and county government, nonprofit organizations and the private sector.

Contact: Sarah Zimmerman, DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation, First State Heritage Park, 302-739-9194 or sarah.zimmerman@delaware.gov.

Vol. 48, No. 269

Yorklyn Day features many activities for kids, including a live reptile show

YORKLYN (June 21, 2018) – DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation will join Yorklyn community organizations in presenting the second annual Yorklyn Day, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, July 1 in Yorklyn. The event is a partnership between DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation, the Center for Creative Arts, Yorklyn Pool, and Dew Point Brewing Co.

DNREC staff will be on hand to discuss the progress on revitalization of the former NVF factory site, as well as the installation of the Paper Mill Bridge, the first in a series of repurposed historic iron truss bridges brought from all over the country to serve community trail users. Auburn Heights Preserve’s Steamin’ Day is also part of the event, with steam car and miniature train rides and mansion tours from 12:30-4:30 p.m. Also featured is a Sidewalk Chalk Festival contest, where kids can display their art for prizes.

Activities are set up in various areas, almost all within convenient walking distance of the new state park trails. Food trucks will offer a variety of culinary options. Live music, artisans, craft beer, vendors, and non-profit presenters are all part of the festivities.

Activity hubs include:

• 11 a.m.-5 p.m. – Dew Point Zone, featuring live music, lawn games, disc golf demo, and craft beer; a chance to try a new craze with Yorklyn Pool-Pickle Ball demonstrations; and Belinda Balloon the Clown
• 11 a.m.-3 p.m. – Center for Creative Arts’ Art Zone, featuring a Sidewalk Chalk Festival, live music, artisans and art sales, food trucks and adult beverages, and children’s art activities
• Noon-4 p.m. – Cozy Quarters Farm pony rides
• 1 p.m. – Yorklyn Bridge Trail’s Kid Zone, and Jungle John’s Dinosaur Show
• 1-3 p.m. – Juggling Hoffmans
• 2:30 – Live reptile show

Event parking is headquartered at H.B. Middle School, 735 Meeting House Road, Hockessin DE 19707. School buses will transport visitors to and from the school to the event site every 15 minutes, with smaller shuttle buses transporting throughout the activity areas. Parking for people with disabilities on the event site is available at Yorklyn Bridge Trail, 1178 Yorklyn Road, Hockessin DE 19707.

More information is available at www.YorklynDay.org, or by calling the Auburn Heights Preserve park office at 302-729-4278.

Contact: Beth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 48, No. 171