Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control

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The DuPont Nature Center is hosting a Winter Lecture Series! We know winter can be cold and gloomy, so we are going to brighten the season up with a series of amazing talks lead by environmental experts who work right in your own backyards! Over the next few weeks in January and February, we will be hosting speakers from scientific fields across Delaware to discuss the important projects they work on around the state. First up - Thursday, January 9 at 4 p.m. – Our Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Anthony Gonzon will be discussing Delaware’s Wildlife Action Plan, a critical step in protecting our endangered wildlife and preserving the habitats they rely on. All Lecture Series programs will be held both in person at the nature center and virtually. For more information and to find the online meeting link, please check our program calendar here: https://lnkd.in/e6tptEX2

Delaware's Forest Service and our state botanist, Bill McAvoy, keep track of the tallest trees in the state separately.🌲The nonprofit American Forests began keeping a similar national list in 1940 and is now managed by the University of Tennessee. Beginning in January, members of the public around the nation will be able to submit nominations for these “Champion Trees” to the university, which will eventually produce an updated publication listing the largest trees of various species. Although Delaware is currently missing from the latest list, McAvoy believes we have a contender! A poison sumac found in Townsend by McAvoy in 2022 scored 51 points—beating the current national champion in Virginia. Bill is hopeful this tree will make it into the next edition of the national registry! 🤞 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/edAHA2yT

Employee Spotlight: Khaliq Still, Seasonal Biological Aide II in our Division of Fish and Wildlife 🎣 Khaliq has been working closely with John Cargill, a hydrologist with our Divisions of Watershed Stewardship and Waste and Hazardous Substances, on the Mirror Lake project and is now transitioning his expertise from freshwater to saltwater environments. Khaliq's journey with DNREC began five years ago as a volunteer. His passion for the outdoors and dedication to his work led him to an opportunity to join us as a seasonal aide while he was still in school. He shares, "I was a volunteer for many years, and when I got an offer for this job, I couldn't pass it up. Balancing school and work was challenging, but I knew I had to take this opportunity." His passion for the environment shines through in his enthusiasm for fieldwork in all conditions. He explains, "I really like being outside, no matter the weather. I started with freshwater projects and enjoyed it so much that I decided to transition to saltwater to explore new opportunities." For those considering a career in environmental science, Khaliq offers valuable advice: "It's not labor-intensive, but it requires physical activity. If you love this work, it will be amazing. The famous saying goes, 'If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life.' This is truly a great field to be in." Khaliq's commitment has made a significant impact on our team, and we are proud to have him as part of the DNREC family. His journey from volunteer to seasoned professional is an inspiring example of where dedication and hard work can lead.

DNREC has released an updated energy plan to help guide the state as it works toward continuing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to clean energy sources. “The 2024-2028 Delaware State Energy Plan maps out strategies we can deploy to meet the state’s energy and emissions reduction goals while maintaining a reliable and resilient grid and increasing energy justice in disadvantaged communities,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “The new Delaware Energy Plan is the beneficiary of the input from a broad range of Delawareans who serve on the Governor’s Energy Advisory Council, and from members of the public who attended the Council’s meetings or public information sessions,” said GEAC Chair Ed Kee. “Real goals and strategies emerged that will be useful to Delawareans in the face of ever-changing, energy-related challenges over the next five years.” The newly updated plan notes that Delaware is in the midst of a far-reaching energy transition, and the energy systems we rely on to power and heat our homes, meet our transportation needs and power commerce and industry are facing unique challenges, including reducing climate impacts, increasing the use of renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, addressing issues of energy justice, adapting the power grid to changes in generation and distribution of power and preparing our workforce to meet our changing energy needs. The plan identifies five overarching action categories: 1. Energy Justice that addresses historical causes of energy inequality and the associated health, social and economic burdens. 2. Renewable Energy and Clean Technologies that centers on the carbon-free generation essential to achieving goals identified in the Climate Change Solutions Act. 3. Energy Efficiency and Beneficial Electrification in homes and businesses to enable achievement of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals. 4. Grid Modernization to overcome new and emerging challenges to grid reliability and take advantage of new energy opportunities. 5. Workforce Development to ensure Delaware’s workforce is prepared to meet the demands of a clean energy future. “Conditions will evolve, and new technologies will be developed,” he said. “So, while our energy and climate planning efforts require looking ahead as far as 2050, this iteration of the plan is designed to guide toward our goals for the next five years.” https://lnkd.in/enHSzqrj

The former DNREC Young Environmentalists of the Year award program has now been incorporated in the State Office of Volunteerism Governor's Youth Volunteer Service Awards. The Governor’s Youth Volunteer Service Awards recognize youth volunteers for their significant volunteer contributions to the state, its citizens and their work to change Delaware for the better. To nominate a young environmentalist visit: https://lnkd.in/eK9-aJCj Eligibility: A Young Environmentalist who is 17 or younger, and has volunteered at least 100 hours in 2024 dedicated to environmental awareness, education and conservation in their volunteer service.

Meet our middle school young environmentalist award winner, Charli Rose Evans, a fifth grader at Laurel Elementary School. 🐔🥚 Charli’s interest in environmentally-friendly practices began when she was in kindergarten. Today, at age 11, she applies self-sustaining farming techniques, growing food for her family and running her own successful small business, Charli’s Chicks Farm Fresh Eggs. Nothing goes to waste – Charli recycles food scraps to feed her chickens, composts food waste and manure to make fertilizer, and grinds eggshells to add calcium to her garden soil. Charli also shares her commitment to sustainable living with her peers, her community and her social media audience.

Governor John Carney and DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin, along with President Joe Biden’s daughter Ashley and other dignitaries today rededicated the newly-renovated Biden Environmental Center at . Formerly used by the U.S. Navy Reserve for training, the 1960s-era structure has been modernized and updated by DNREC to meet current safety standards and accessibility requirements. The $15 million Biden Environmental Center capital improvement project was funded through Bond Bill appropriations, and renovations commenced in January 2023. The renovated Biden Environmental Center will be used for DNREC trainings, regional workshops and community-focused events. The classroom space will provide opportunities for lab work associated with marine ecosystems and indoor learning during inclement weather. The center also will be a place where groups gather for the day or overnight in a welcoming space to learn and experience the diverse coastal landscape of Cape Henlopen State Park. Read more on DNREC News: https://lnkd.in/gsf3zQPY

Working in wetlands provides an exclusive opportunity to get up-close and personal with wildlife. Weather, soil, water, humans – many factors influence the presence of fauna in all wetland types. Each type of habitat can have specific, uniquely adapted species that call that wetland home, and some even exclusively depend on said wetland for their survival. One of the most fascinating creatures our Wetland Monitoring and Assessment Program encountered is the piebald deer. Their wildlife cameras recently captured a stunning image of this rare animal. Often mistaken for albino, piebald deer are few and far between, with less than 2% of white-tailed deer possessing this genetic mutation. This recessive trait causes varying amounts of white hair with brown patches or mostly white hair with very few brown patches. Not only are piebald deer highly visible to predators, but they are also often born with physical abnormalities such as shortened legs, deformed hooves, or arched spines. Historically, some Native American and Indigenous tribes believed these deer were spiritually sacred and that it was bad luck to hunt them. Presently, certain states have hunting restrictions and laws against harvesting these unique deer for sport or management purposes. Seeing a piebald deer is a rare and beautiful sight, reminding us of the incredible biodiversity that thrives in our wetlands. 📸🦌 Check out the full article by Olivia Allread on the Official Blog of the Wetland Monitoring & Assessment Program for more amazing wildlife stories and photos. https://lnkd.in/e_Zcw9n2

We're hiring! Join our Division of Air Quality as as analytical chemist or an engineer! Analytical Chemist II - Ambient Monitoring: This ACII will work closely with group managers to operate the State’s PAMS site. The incumbent will help to develop solutions to analytical problems, verify and correct technical issues as necessary, and validate the performance PAMS monitoring equipment. The incumbent will be responsible for collecting field samples during PAMS season and be willing to work out of doors. The ACII will work with the Quality Assurance group to assist with the planning, design, execution, and analysis of special air monitoring studies. The ACII will perform data reprocessing and Level 1 Quality Assurance of PAMS AutoGC data. https://lnkd.in/eHftVPtt Engineer VI - Air Quality Modeler: Perform regional and local air quality modeling for the Division of Air Quality and in support of the Division of Climate Coastal and Energy. Air quality modeling is required for permitting, and demonstrations of attainment with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Air quality modeling is also important for climate change planning and projection. It will also require planning and coordination with local, regional and national partners. In addition to modeling, this position will supervise two environmental scientists who perform quality assurance work for the Division of Air Quality's ambient air monitoring network. https://lnkd.in/emZHBU_8