LEWES – The public is invited to Cape Henlopen State Park to experience its newest trail. Park naturalists will host a winter hike along the Gordons Pond Trail on Saturday, Jan. 31 at 11 a.m. Visitors will explore the coastal habitat and look for winter birds and other wildlife.

This free program meets at the Seaside Nature Center and is intended for ages 10 and up with an adult. Space is limited; pre-registration is required. Information and registration are available at 302-645-6852.

The Seaside Nature Center is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the Borrow-A-Bike program is available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. when the Nature Center is open, weather permitting.

More information about programs offered at Cape Henlopen and all of Delaware State Parks can be found at destateparks.com.

Media Contact: Richard Julian, Cape Henlopen State Park, 302-645-6852; or Necia Beck, Delaware State Parks, 302-739-9175, necia.beck@delaware.gov

Vol. 45, No.17

Dover, DE– Governor Jack Markell has signed a proclamation declaring October as “Children in Nature Month” in Delaware. To mark the designation, DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation and other partners that comprise the Delaware Children in Nature Coalition will offer public programs designed to get children outdoors and into the beautiful fall weather.

“We want Delaware to be a leader in helping children reconnect with nature,” said Governor Markell. “Our vision – and that of the Delaware Children in Nature Coalition – is that this and future generations of Delaware’s youth will have an active and meaningful outdoors experience that leads to better health and a better quality of life for them and their families.“

Children in Nature programs will take place in Delaware’s state parks throughout the month. Events will include the “Crazy Costume Dash” at Lums Pond State Park on Oct.11, and the “Steamin’ Halloween” at the Auburn Heights Preserve on Oct. 26.

Additionally, Oct, 24 will be a free entrance day for families at the Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village in Dover. Another coalition partner, the Delaware Nature Society, will celebrate with the “Harvest Moon Festival” on Oct. 4-5.  A complete list of programs is available.

“DNREC and the other coalition partners’ mission is to improve environmental literacy in our state and create opportunities for children to participate in outdoor experiences,” said DNREC Secretary David Small. “Together, we are promoting healthy lifestyles and providing better access to green space. DNREC, as steward of 100,000 acres of diverse habitat, offers wondrous, safe places to explore, discover and connect children and their families with each other and the environment.”

The goal of the Children in Nature Coalition is to engage children with nature by providing meaningful outdoor experiences.  A statewide plan is being developed that includes environmental literacy and ways to connect Delawareans to their communities and natural resources. Accomplishments to date include the Delaware Greener Schools program, the Nature Nook in the Dover Public Library, field trips for Title I students in Sussex County and others.

DOVER (April 19, 2013) – With spring mowing season underway and having fielded recent calls from people who have found what they believe are “abandoned” baby rabbits, DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife would like to remind well-meaning wildlife watchers not to “rescue” young wild animals. Young Eastern cottontail rabbits, in particular, may appear to be alone, since their mothers often temporarily leave their ground nests to avoid attracting predators, returning only to feed their young.

“Before handling or moving any wildlife species, please contact the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife and speak to a trained wildlife biologist. We can help you determine whether the animal needs help or should be left alone,” said Wildlife Biologist Joe Rogerson, Division of Fish and Wildlife. “This will not only help ensure your safety, but also help to ensure the best possible outcome for the animal.” 

Precautions to take with both juvenile and adult wild animals: 

• If you see a young animal alone, watch from a distance to see if its mother returns, which could take several hours. 
   
• Some wild animals can be unpredictable and sometimes dangerous, especially if they are in pain. They also can carry parasites or illnesses that can affect you or your pets, such as rabies. If you must handle any wild animal, wear gloves and use extreme care. 
   
• Remember that it is illegal to raise or keep any wild animal in Delaware.

“In almost every case, wild animals should be left where they are found. The hard truth is, if you take a young animal from the wild, you are almost certainly ensuring its death,” said licensed wildlife rehabilitator Dawn Webb. “While you may see a baby animal alone, what you don’t see is its mother, who is most likely nearby, waiting for you to move on. The bottom line is, if you care, leave them there.”

For more information, please call DNREC’s Wildlife Section at 302-739-9912.

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

 Vol. 43, No. 158

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DOVER (April 9, 2013) – DNREC’s Wetland Monitoring and Assessment Program is seeking nominations for the 2013 Delaware Wetland Warrior Award, which recognizes exemplary efforts to protect wetlands and the critical services they provide to all Delawareans.

The Wetland Warrior award, now in its sixth year, is presented annually to a citizen, organization, business or group that has demonstrated outstanding efforts to benefit Delaware wetlands through outreach and education, monitoring and assessment, or restoration and protection. The award will be presented on Governor’s Day, Thursday, July 25, at the Delaware State Fair in Harrington.

Information on submitting a nomination is available on DNREC’s Delaware Wetlands web page. Nominations must be submitted by Friday, June 21. For more information, please contact Wetland Outreach Specialist Maggie Pletta at 302-739-9939, or email Margaret.Pletta@delaware.gov.

“The award recognizes wetland stewards who have made an effort to help ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy the natural services provided by wetlands that contribute to our quality of life including clean water, flood and storm protection, and wildlife habitat,” said Pletta. “Wetland Warriors are Delaware’s environmental heroes – who work tirelessly to slow wetland loss, help restore degraded wetlands, preserve habitat, increase awareness of the value of wetlands and bolster support for their protection.”

The 2012 Wetland Warrior recipients were:

• Clif Bakhsh of Middletown, a member of Delaware Ducks Unlimited’s Appoquinimink Chapter who has been active for more than 25 years in numerous local and national roles, was recognized for his dedication to preserving open space in Delaware and to educating children about the benefits of wetlands.
• David Carter, a biologist and wetland professional with DNREC for more than 25 years, was recognized for his use of innovative planning and funding tools to improve the management and protection of wetlands in the state, as well as supporting outreach and education initiatives such as Thank You Delaware Bay.

For a complete list of past recipients, visit DNREC’s Wetland Warrior Page.

Delaware has more than 320,000 acres of wetlands, comprising about 25 percent of the state’s area. Wetlands protect lives and property from the impacts of floods and storms, filter pollutants and improve water quality, reduce erosion and provide critical habitat for fish and wildlife. Almost every part of our state is within one mile of a wetland – making wetland protection vital to our health and safety.

DNREC studies indicate that over the past 15 years, more than 3,896 acres of wetlands were lost statewide due to conversion to other land uses. This acreage is significant because in the previous 10-year period, the total statewide wetland loss was 1,996 acres. These recent trends make recognizing the conservationists who have prioritized wetlands even more important. It is through natural resource stewards, such as Wetland Warrior, that Delaware will protect its natural treasures.

Check out the “How You Can Help” webpage to learn more about opportunities to protect wetlands. Here you can find the Wetland Public Participation Guidebook, a comprehensive resource developed to inspire citizens to take actions to protect wetlands. Also featured is the latest information on wetland health, wetland loss studies, regulations, wetland impacts and how they can be prevented, and how the public can get involved with local land use decisions that could affect wetlands. Also on the webpage is a new wetlands video highlighting wetland benefits, Purify, Provide, and Protect.  

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

Vol. 43, No. 137

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