FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Tuesday, July 21, 2026 Media Contact: Jonah Anderson jonah.anderson@delaware.gov GOVERNOR MEYER SIGNS BIPARTISAN FRESHWATER WETLANDS PROTECTION ACT DOVER, Del. — Governor Matt Meyer today signed Senate Bill 9, establishing Delaware’s first comprehensive state program to protect freshwater wetlands now while creating a clearer and more predictable permitting process for landowners, farmers, and

Volunteer registration is now open for the 39th annual Delaware Coastal Cleanup, set for Saturday, Sept. 19, at more than 40 sites statewide.

DNREC is now accepting project proposals for the Surface Water Matching Planning Grant Program overseen by the DNREC Office of Environmental Finance.

DNREC has released the 2026/27 Delaware Hunting & Trapping Guide, now available at participating license agents statewide, at the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife’s licensing desk in Dover and on the de.gov/hunting webpage.

DNREC is counting on Delawareans to help with the state’s annual productivity survey for wild turkeys July 1 through Aug. 31. Volunteers assist the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife by recording and reporting information on the continuing distribution and reproductive success of the state’s turkey population.

Delaware State Parks unveiled a Virtual 5K Fundraiser for its 75th Anniversary which encourages participants to walk, run or roll on trails in state parks through Dec. 1.

DNREC today opened the new Delaware Environmental Laboratory near Smyrna, a state-of-the-art facility to test water quality, chemical contaminants including per- and poly fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and to conduct molecular and microbiology. DNREC Secretary Greg Patterson was joined for a ceremonial ribbon cutting by representatives of the state’s congressional delegation, state legislators, former DNREC cabinet secretaries and organizations that depend on the environmental lab for scientific analysis.

In response to increased complaints from Delaware farmers about significant crop damage and anticipated losses from deer, DNREC has expanded its deer damage assistance programs this year and is now offering expedited, direct enrollment in the Extreme Deer Damage Assistance Program.

The state’s Tree for Every Delawarean Initiative (TEDI) has surpassed 500,000 plantings toward a goal of reaching 1 million by 2030 and has opened the application period for groups and organizations seeking funding for spring 2027 projects.

A DNREC dredging project continues along the navigation channel of the Indian River near Millsboro and in support of a nearby tidal wetland restoration project. Time of year restrictions have been waived due to the benefits of completing the marsh restoration project outweighing the reduced potential risk for negative environmental impacts because of degraded hydrology in the area – thus allowing both projects to continue during the summer months and run until March 2027.