Visitor access limited in construction area until fall completion

DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announced today that construction of the new wildlife observation tower and associated boardwalk has begun on the Main Tract of the Little Creek Wildlife Area near Dover. The project will replace the existing wildlife observation tower and boardwalk with an upgraded, more accessible facility that will enhance outdoor recreation opportunities at this popular wildlife-watching location. Parking upgrades will also be made to benefit hunters, bird watchers, and other wildlife area visitors. Construction is scheduled for completion by October 2019, weather permitting.

During construction, a section of wildlife area roadway will be gated and closed to vehicles for safety and security reasons, and pedestrian access may also be limited during active construction. Other trails and areas on the wildlife area will remain open during construction.

The Little Creek Wildlife Area is located along the Route 9 Delaware Bayshore Byway. This project is funded in part by a Scenic Byway Grant through the Federal Highway Administration and DelDOT, along with matching state funds from the Delaware Bayshore Initiative.

For more information, please call 302-739-9912.

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. 54

DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation announced today that the Brandywine Zoo in Wilmington is temporarily closed through the end of February while construction and improvement projects are made to the zoo’s campus. The zoo’s education building will remain open to host upcoming programs scheduled throughout January and February.

The construction projects, undertaken ahead of implementing the zoo’s master plan for operations recently approved by DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation, include the conversion of the zoo’s otter exhibit into a new small animal contact area, and improvements to the honeybees and hive learning exhibit, and to the Andean condor exhibit. The improvement projects also include installation of new zoo signage, and renovation of the exhibit for the zoo’s South American capybaras – better known as the world’s largest living rodents.

Modifying the exhibits not only will enable the zoo to move some animals into upgraded facilities, but also helps the zoo to prepare for the arrival this spring of new species. Brandywine Zoo Director Brint Spencer said that during construction, some of the animals are being shifted to zoo housing away from the construction work areas, where they will be fully engaged by keepers until returning to their exhibit space.

Regularly scheduled education programs at the education building, located across the street from the zoo’s main entrance at 1001 North Park Drive, Wilmington, DE 19802, will continue throughout the construction period.

Registrations are being taken for the following events – anyone interested in attending should visit www.brandywinezoo.org to register:

• Monday, Jan. 21, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Martin Luther King Day Camp. On the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, kids will spend the day enriching zoo animals to help keep them active and engaged.
• Sunday, Feb. 3, 1 – 2:30 p.m., Zoo Camp Open House. Overview of camps and one-day only discounts.
• Saturday, Feb. 9, 9:30 a.m. – Noon and 1 – 3:30 p.m. (Two sessions), Girl Scouts – For the Love of Animals.
• Sunday, Feb. 10, 1 – 2:30 p.m., Summer Intern Open House (for high school and college students).
• Monday, Feb. 18, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Presidents’ Day Camp (for ages 5-13).

Visitors are encouraged to check the zoo’s website www.brandywinezoo.org and Facebook pages for updates.

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

Vol. 49, No. 12

DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announced today that the Haven Lake boat ramp and parking lot, located near Milford, will be closed for upgrades beginning Monday, Nov. 26, and continuing through Dec. 21, weather permitting.

The upgrades include the addition of a courtesy dock, extension of the existing ramp, and repairs to the asphalt parking lot. The boat ramp will be closed for the duration of the upgrade.

Other public non-tidal boat ramps that can be used during the closure are located at Griffith Lake, Blairs Pond, Abbotts Pond, and Tub Mill Pond, all in the Milford area.

For more information on the Haven Lake boat ramp upgrade, please call the Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Fisheries Section at 302-739-9914.

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

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

Vol. 48, No. 321

DOVER – Delaware’s Advisory Council on Wildlife and Freshwater Fish will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25 in the DNREC Auditorium, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901.

The Council will discuss American shad restoration in the Nanticoke River as well as current and proposed upgrades to the Ommelanden Hunter Education Training and Shooting Range facilities. For more information, including the meeting agenda, visit the Delaware Public Meeting Calendar at https://publicmeetings.delaware.gov/Meeting/56966.

For more information on Delaware wildlife, please call the DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Wildlife Section at 302-739-9912. For more information on Delaware fisheries, please call DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Fisheries Section at 302-739-9914.

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

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

Vol. 48, No. 257

NEW CASTLE – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announced today that repairs and upgrades to the rifle-pistol range at the Ommelanden Hunter Education Training Center will begin Sept. 3. The rifle-pistol range will be closed during construction until its anticipated reopening on Wednesday, Oct. 3.

Repairs and upgrades to the rifle-pistol range will involve replacing a damaged concrete floor, and installing a new drainage system, block wall and entryway. The improvements are part of upgrading the Ommelanden shooting range facility to better serve the Division’s shooting sports customers.

Trap and skeet fields and archery courses will not be impacted by these improvements and will remain open during regular operating days and hours available at Ommelanden Range.

For more information, contact the Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Wildlife Section at 302-739-9912.

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

Vol. 48, No. 237