DNREC Wetland Monitoring and Assessment Program

06/01/2026

The epitome of waterfront living. Meet the muskrat, a savvy rodent architect in wetlands native to Delaware. They build homes by tunneling along the water's edge or building dome lodges right in the marsh. Check out this dome-shaped lodge we stumbled upon made from mud, vegetation and twigs. Once the structure is big enough, they chew a secret underwater entrance for protection from predators. Inside, they create additional chambers for dining, lounging and raising their young. Talk about dedication - these lodges last just 6 months before nature demands a remodel!

05/28/2026

A unexpected find. Striped burrfish, typically residing near bay grass beds, are solitary bottom dwellers rarely seen. These fish have few predators, as they can inflate into a spiny ball to ward off threats. Despite reaching only up to 10inches in length, they pack a punch; their sharp spines and strong mouth remind us to handle them with care (hence the net).

05/24/2026

We love this content from Gardening Made Simple about wet spots in your yard! If you have a wet area where nothing is growing or want to soak up some soggy soil, consider these water-loving plants to add unique habitat and increase productivity in your own backyard.

05/20/2026

Soon to be hopper. At around 14-16 weeks old, frogs and toads go through a complete metamorphosis, starting out as eggs changing shape and form eventually into adult amphibians. At the "froglet" or "toadlet" stage featured here, first the tadpoles develop their back legs and then their front. As skin grows over the gills and the tails shrink into the body, they quickly turn into adults to head out of their nursery areas. Once they reach maturity, frogs and toads will return to the waters to reproduce so their spawn can go through the stages of metamorphosis as they did.

05/15/2026

Happy Endangered Species Day. The Eastern tiger salamander is one of Delmarva's rarest amphibians and are one of the first species to come out of winter brumation (aka hibernation for cold-blooded species). Their internal clock is motivated by warm rain in late winter to early spring which encourages them to gather in vernal pools, or isolated freshwater wetlands, for breeding and mass egg laying. While in these forested habitats, Delaware DNREC counts and tracks local populations to better understand the status and conservation of this state endangered species. Their number one threat is loss of habitat - as development continues and our climate shifts, we need to keep this critical native species in mind.

05/12/2026

We're hiring! The position will be an integral addition to a small wetland monitoring and assessment team. We are looking for a seasonal field biologist to explore the Inland Bays while gaining great field experience - take advantage of this chance to network and harness your career skills.

https://www.jobapscloud.com/DE/sup/BulPreview.asp?R1=043026&R2=MGCC02&R3=400305

05/08/2026

May is American Wetlands Month! This celebration shines the spotlight on these incredible ecosystems that are valuable to humans and the natural world alike. Take some time during this month to learn more about these vital habitats, how they are changing and how we can work together to better conserve them and their benefits.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of wetland mapping and monitoring on the federal level. Knowing where wetlands are located is this first step in understanding them — maps are essential for management, necessary for protection and critical for restoration. Since 1975, the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) Program has been the trusted source of the United States most comprehensive information on wetland location, type and change. Read more about the journey over the last 50 years in the link below.

Celebrating 50 years of Wetland Mapping and Monitoring

05/05/2026

Just a quick flyby. Northern Harriers can be found in a variety of open terrain such as meadows, croplands, riparian woodlands and marshes. These habitats that have good ground cover that provide ideal hunting grounds for this carnivore hawk species. Often flying at a low altitude they use their remarkable sense of hearing to locate prey by sound. As the only harrier species in North America, we were excited to spot this female on one of our wildlife cameras.

04/30/2026

This Saturday is the big day! Come on over to James Farm Ecological Preserve in Ocean View for our Water Family Fest and Native Plant Sale. This festival highlights the work being done by Delaware DNREC, DE Center for the Inland Bays, and over 35 other exhibitors with Delaware’s natural resources and environment.

Here is what's in store from 10am-2pm:
• Native plant sale
• Outdoor fun like hiking trails, paddleboarding, and a touch-a-boat area
• Educational exhibits on wetlands, shellfish, rain gardens, science, and more
• Food trucks, local drinks, and a band
• Kids' activities, nature crafts, and live animals

Get to know all of us through "feet-wet, hands-dirty fun" 😎

https://dnrec.delaware.gov/watershed-stewardship/wetlands/family-fest/

04/26/2026

Did you know that Delaware has more than 30 freshwater lakes and ponds for recreational use? Kayaking, fishing, a sunny day cruise - these impoundments range in size from 5 acres to 189 acres and are managed by our DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife. Not only does the Division monitor the fish communities in these habitats, they also provide detailed maps of each waterbody that showcase data such as depth, vegetation, and fish species. Plan your next angler outing with the Delaware Ponds Map linked in the webpage below.

https://dnrec.delaware.gov/fish-wildlife/fishing-ponds/