Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control

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For last week’s Field Trip Friday, Secretary Greg Patterson and DNREC staff visited the Murderkill Jetty Rehabilitation Project to see firsthand the work being done to strengthen Delaware’s coastal infrastructure. The North Jetty is 90-95% complete, transitioning from concrete bags to a sturdy bulkhead and rock structure. On the South Jetty, crews have been removing the old concrete bags and laying the foundation for a stronger, more resilient jetty. These updates not only improve structural integrity but also make the jetty less inviting for pedestrians to climb, enhancing both safety and longevity. With the project on track for completion by mid-April, the jetty will be ready just in time for the return of horseshoe crabs! We are proud to support projects like this that protect our waterways, enhance resilience, and ensure safe, sustainable access to Delaware’s coast. 📸: Joseph Faries, Coastal Engineer with our Division of Watershed Stewardship

On Friday, Feb. 28, nearly 700 students from high schools across Delaware came together for the 6th annual Youth Environmental Summit (YES!) at the Chase Center in Wilmington. As a proud sponsor, we were thrilled to see this year’s event grow even bigger, empowering young leaders to join the discussion on critical environmental topics like climate change, clean water and environmental justice. Secretary Greg Patterson addressed the students, emphasizing the importance of young voices in shaping the future of our environment. “Young people should be and are the most important voices when we discuss today’s environmental issues that decide tomorrow’s environmental future.” Throughout the day, students engaged in 21 breakout sessions, including two led by DNREC: 🎤 "We Want to Hear from You" – A hands-on workshop where students contributed ideas for Delaware’s Climate Action Plan update. 🎤 Green Careers Panel – Featuring Deputy Secretary Dayna Cobb, inspiring students to explore careers in environmental fields. At our table, we had the chance to connect with more than 175 students eager to learn about our programs, ask questions and explore ways to make a difference. Their energy, ideas and enthusiasm reaffirm that YES! is more than just a summit – it’s a movement driven by the next generation of environmental leaders. #YES2025 #YouthEnvironmentalSummit

Explore the underwater world of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) with our Division of Watershed Stewardship, as a Monitoring and Restoration Intern! Help support the SAV Program in its mission to conduct restoration of SAV in Delaware’s Inland Bays and conduct SAV monitoring statewide in marine and freshwater systems. For additional details and to apply, visit: https://lnkd.in/e7cswppK SAV, also known as seagrass, bay grass, or underwater grasses, is critical to the health of aquatic ecosystems. It provides habitat, food and nursery grounds for commercially and recreationally important fish and shellfish. It also helps improve water quality by trapping sediments, absorbing excess nutrients and mitigating shoreline erosion. To learn more about SAV, visit: https://lnkd.in/eEd-q2a7

Our Division of Parks and Recreation is hiring a community relations coordinator! We're seeking a dynamic communicator to lead division media events, craft engaging news releases, field media inquiries and prepare impactful presentation materials and talking points. To apply: https://lnkd.in/e2MHD9Pj

Secretary Greg Patterson and DNREC colleagues continued our Field Trip Fridays, touring Brandywine Park, the Bancroft Bridge site and Brandywine Zoo. We connected with the administrators, planners and scientists managing these critical projects and parks. First stop- Josephine Fountain, a centerpiece of the Brandywine Park. We learned more about the gardens and monuments along the river. Next stop- Bancroft Bridge. We discussed the replacement of the existing bridge in Alapocas Run State Park, one of our priorities since its emergency closure due to Hurricane Ida flood damage. Final stop- Brandywine Zoo! We got a behind-the-scenes look at conservation efforts and lots of animals. We even had the chance to help with feeding time! Secretary Patterson, intern Clare, and others fed grapes to Red Panda Scarlett for a midday snack. These field trips are a great way for DNREC leadership to engage directly with staff, ask questions and gain fresh perspectives on the important work happening across our department. #FieldTripFriday #BrandywinePark #AlapocasRunStatePark #BrandywineZoo

Today is National Love Your Pet Day, and while our K-9s are not pets during their service, we want to take this opportunity to highlight what happens when they transition from working dogs to beloved family companions. ❤️🐾 Our Natural Resources Police K-9s help protect Delaware’s wildlife and natural resources. They provide immediate backup if their human partners get into trouble, help with everyday activities and make their partners’ jobs easier when protecting the public. When their service comes to an end and they enter into retirement, our K-9s remain with their handlers, officially becoming part of their families. 🐕 Rosco, pictured in the water, is an 11-year-old chocolate lab. He began his career in May 2016 and assisted in numerous high-profile cases, including attempted murders, illegal wildlife harvesting and reckless endangering investigations. He retired in June 2022 when his handler, Captain Hudson, was promoted out of the field. Now, Rosco is enjoying his well-earned retirement at home with Captain Hudson and his family, where he spends his days playing with his brother Milo, swimming in the pool, and exploring the outdoors. 🐕 River, pictured in the boat, is a 10-year-old black lab. She specialized in tracking, article detection, and wildlife detection throughout her career. She retired in February 2024. Now, River enjoys retirement filled with family time, swimming in her pond, and socializing. Our K-9s dedicate their lives to service, and when their time in the field ends, they get to enjoy a new chapter as cherished members of the families they served alongside. Join us in celebrating K-9 Rosco, K-9 River, and all our hardworking K-9 officers—both active and retired—this National Love Your Pet Day! 💚 #LoveYourPetDay #RetiredK9

We're looking for a Stormwater Engineer for our Sediment and Stormwater Program! Learn more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/ekNNUBzZ

Our Wetland Monitoring and Assessment Program recently collaborated with the EPA on a project at Canary Creek to better understand and protect our vital salt marsh ecosystems. As part of the project, water level logger wells were installed in the salt marsh platform to track groundwater levels. Each well was paired with a camera trap to monitor surface water conditions alongside the groundwater data. Additionally, soil samples were extracted from each well location to study the marsh platform’s soil profile. The data will contribute to a regional EPA study aimed at assessing the health and function of wetlands across the region. Read more about the program in their Year in Review: https://lnkd.in/e7HHDkrQ

Summer Internship opportunities! Are you a college student or recent graduate? Have a vision for a sustainable future? Passionate about making a positive impact on the environment? We have the perfect opportunity for you! This summer, we're offering up to 18 paid full-time, 12-week internships. Locations in all three Delaware counties, some with hybrid or flexible work schedules available. Choose from the fields of: environmental science, natural resource management, wildlife biology, data science and statistics, marketing communications, engineering and compliance, government administration and conservation education and outreach. Apply today or share/tag someone in the comments that you know may be interested! de.gov/dnrecintern