History
Since its start in 1964, the Delaware Nature Society has been a well-known environmental nonprofit in the area. Its goal is to protect the environment and get people interested in it. Here is a look at their company’s high points and achievements.
1964- With 41 original members, Delaware Nature Education Center was formed on September 28.
1965- Cape Henlopen State Park has developed interpretive nature programs.
1966- Within Brandywine Creek State Park, the Indian Spring Nature Center is marked.
1967- Expanded by volunteer guides are permanent exhibits, in-school programs, and nature walks.
1968- The Brandywine Creek Nature Center building now houses the operations.
1969- hosted the first summer day camp
1970- All fourth graders in Wilmington Public Schools will participate in environmental awareness lessons.
1973- Natural Areas Survey was started to find preserved natural areas in Delaware.
1974- They created a constant defense of the Coastal Zone Act of 1971 with other environmental organizations.
1975- Delaware Nature Education Society is the new name of the organization.
1976- Red Clay Reservation’s new building was dedicated on September 25 and named Ashland Nature Center.
1977-High school students and guidance counselors participated in the first Environmental Careers in Industry Conference.
1978- successfully pushed for establishing a state network of natural reserves.
1981-Abbott’s Mill dedicated June 7
1982- Beginning at the Barn on Old Wilmington Road was a farm program.
1983- Volunteers organized and promoted the Wildflower Sale.
1984- The purchased land will be known as Cedar Bog Preserve and used to expand the Abbott’s Mill site.
1985-Together with DNREC, the Stream Watch program was launched.
1986- The construction and dedication of the Abbott’s Mill Educational Building
1987- Landowners were targeted by the Stewardship Recognition Program to protect natural lands.
1988—Delaware Nature Society now refers to the organization, and it has a new logo.
1990-Renovated office space, library, and Nature Store; dedication of Ashland Lodge
1991-The Burrows Run Preserve, a 110-acre stream corridor, was given by the Greenewalt family.
1993- 186 landowners have joined the stewardship initiative to safeguard 4,900 acres and 21 miles of stream corridors.
1994- 35 acres of Flint Woods, an old-growth forest, were donated by the Flint family.
1996– Launch of Soil Watch to stop stream erosion and sedimentation
1999-Dedicated as a State Nature Preserve is Flint Woods Preserve
2000-A portion of Burrows Run Preserve has been designated State Nature Preserve.
2001- The Certified Wildlife HabitatTM program replaced the Backyard Wildlife Habitat project.
2003-Ashland Nature Center dedicated on April 6 after renovation and expansion
2004-Abbott’s historic gristmill has been preserved, allowing for water power operation demonstrations.
2005-The Delaware Nature Society’s 40-year history, titled “Educating Today…Preserving for Tomorrow,” was released.
2006-At Burrow’s Run Preserve, two Baltimore Checkerspot butterflies’ populations, were discovered. This is the only known location in Delaware where these butterflies can be found.
2007-Ashland Hawk Watch was established
2008-The operations center for Coverdale Farm was finished.
2009- The DuPont Environmental Education Center is where programs begin.
2010– First season of Coverdale Farm’s Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program
2011-performed the first recommended burn
2012-With success, Open Space Farm Land Preservation pushed for total financing.
2013-started a week-long campaign to raise awareness of sea level rise, which educated 3000 people about its effects.
2015-The William Penn Foundation generously provided funding for the launch of the “Clean Water: Delaware’s Clear Choice” campaign.
Mission
The aim of the Delaware Nature Society, often known as DelNature, is to link people with the natural world to enhance the quality of their environment via education, conservation, and advocacy. They envisage a world in which everyone lives in a healthy and sustainable environment.
DelNature is a state affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation and was established in 1964. They are well-known for their educational programs, conservation efforts, and advocacy for wildlife protection. Through the preservation of land, the conservation of species, and the care of watersheds, They offer the resources necessary for communities to take action and maintain the environment’s health.
Everyone should have the right to access natural areas free from risk, live in a healthy world with access to good food, land, water, and air, and have their opinions and worries taken seriously to the same degree. DelNature is committed to collaborating with individuals of all demographic factors, including race but not alone, color, religion, gender, age, marital status, country of origin, sexual orientation, and handicap. They are committed to being inclusive and equitable, partnering with local communities on programs and initiatives, hiring staff that reflects their audiences, and supporting and developing fair environmental policies. In addition, they will educate communities on local environmental issues, learn from the public to inform their actions, and learn from the public to inform the public about their activities.
They run four educational sites: Ashland Nature Center, Abbott’s Mill Nature Center, DuPont Environmental Education Center, and Coverdale Farm Preserve. They are responsible for managing almost 2,000 acres of property, of which there are four nature preserves. Working & Natural Lands, Healthy Waters, and Protecting Habitats and Wildlife are the three pillars of involvement that make up their organization’s objectives. They each concentrate on a different aspect of the environment.
At the moment, thousands of Members and over a thousand volunteers are assisting their core staff and interns in supporting DelNature’s purpose and aiding their year-round educational programs, conservation, and advocacy activities in continuing to develop and flourish.
hiking; survival skills; pond and stream exploration; live animals; camping
What They Do
Healthy Waters
They are all linked by water. Their health, the economy, and wildlife depend on clean, wholesome water. They can all contribute to making the rivers in the Delaware area healthier, which will benefit their species, their habitats, and all of them.
Exploring Watersheds
What washes into Delaware’s water determines its quality. Everyone lives in a watershed; a land area drains into a particular body of water. The Delaware, Chesapeake, and Inland Bays make up Delaware’s three watersheds. The state of their seas is directly impacted by what they do on land.
Strengthening Policies for Clean Water
Although clean water is essential, they rarely consider what it takes to keep it that way. The Delaware Nature Society thinks everyone should have clean water, so protecting and enhancing water quality through legislation, regulation, and education is essential.
Safeguarding Clean Water
Make safeguarding water a regular part of your life; even tiny adjustments may significantly impact the environment. Join them in doing actions that result in cleaner water, whether gathering information on the condition of a nearby stream or using and promoting water-friendly gardening techniques at home or in your neighborhood.
Protecting Habitats & Wildlife
Everything in the natural world is interconnected, from the Christina River’s rippling waves to a meadow dotted with native grasses. The Delaware Nature Society (DelNature) seeks to safeguard its environment as climate changes by preserving biodiversity, safeguarding native animal habitats, and protecting native species.
Maintaining their environment helps preserve animals’ natural habitats and ensures that people have access to clean drinking water. A healthy ecosystem is supported when they design habitats that provide food, water, cover, and areas where birds, bees, butterflies, and other species may raise their young.
Preserving for the Future
They safeguard their ecosystem, water, and air by maintaining the land. Their lives are improved, and natural animal habitats are protected via land preservation. They are connected to the great outdoors via their open spaces. Healthy natural areas give them the most precious gift, whether going on a hike, bicycling, sailing, birdwatching or just watching the sunset.
For more information, visit their website or call (302)656-1490