DuPont Nature Center

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DuPont Nature Center

DuPont Nature Center is an aquatic education facility run by DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife.

08/31/2026

September is almost here, which means our hours are changing soon! It's been an amazing summer with y'all, but we aren't saying goodbye just yet. You can still visit the nature center on Wednesdays and Saturdays in September from September 2 until the 26. We'll also still be offering plenty of public programs, even when the nature center is closed for general visitation, so keep an eye on our program calendar and here on Facebook for all the details!

For any questions about our hours or programs, give us a call at 302-422-1329.

08/30/2026

It’s National Beach Day! While many out there will take advantage of this day to enjoy a favorite pastime along our sandy shores, have you ever wondered about the history behind beachgoing? Was taking a trip out to the seaside always seen as a great way to spend time and relax?

While there is a long history of humans residing on the coastline and oceans surrounding us, the idea of a “beach vacation” was not always a popular thought. Ancient civilizations around the world once saw beaches as dangerous places of loss, sorrow, and unknown danger (anyone see the Odyssey lately?). It’s local inhabitants were viewed as lowly fishers, or even outcasts in some areas. Piracy plagued many coastlines, as did the devastation of intense storms long before weather forecasts ruled the airwaves.

Yet, people were still attracted to the sea. It was a pathway to exploring new lands, or even a mythical space for communicating with lost loved ones. However, many scholars argue that it wasn’t until the 18th century when beachgoing became a retreat, or a pleasure-seeking experience. What changed?

Around this time, thanks to the onset of growing urban areas and increasingly polluted atmospheres due to the industrial revolution, European doctors and wealthy families began to view the coastline as a curative place. With fresh air, cool sea breezes, and plenty of space to roam, it was the perfect cure for a myriad of illnesses afflicting the ever health-conscious upper classes. Britain, in particular, would lead the charge of restorative seaside visits, with oceanside “health and wellness” resorts soon to follow. This trend would spread around Europe and the Mediterranean and later become a fixture for upper class Americans decades later. As coastlines developed more, and transportation improved with the advent of roads, trains, and vehicles, the notion of a relaxing and restorative trip to the beach was soon accessible for nearly everyone.

Nowadays, the beach is viewed by many as an essential experience, whether to visit once or twice a summer, or have your toes in the sand every day. For us here at the DuPont Nature Center, we like to live, breath, and constantly talk about how special the beach is to not only us human beachgoers, but the vast array of other species who seem just as drawn to our sandy shores. Happy National Beach Day everyone!

📷: Courtesy of the Delaware Public Archives

08/28/2026

Upcoming program: Storybook Saturday

Tomorrow! Friday, August 29 at 11 a.m.

Join us for the last storybook of the summer! This week, we’ll adventure through the ocean with our story, “Peanut Butter and Jellyfish,” written by Jarrett J. Krosoczka. After our story, we’ll talk about how animals like Peanut Butter and Jellyfish are here to help their friends while visiting Delaware Bay. Then, we’ll be creating our own jellyfish that will surely be the spotlight of the house!

For any questions or more information on the program, please call us at 302-422-1329 or email [email protected]

📷: DNC Staff

08/27/2026

Upcoming program: A Terrapin’s Life in the Delaware Bay

Tomorrow! Friday, August 28 at 2 p.m.

While you can come in anytime to see how our diamondback terrapin, Buster, enjoys his days, what about all the terrapins out in the Bay? Join us tomorrow for a special presentation discussing all there is to know about these brackish water turtles. During this talk, a Nature Center Naturalist will lead guests through the life cycles of terrapins, why they aren’t just called “turtles”, and how they have impacted our local environment and history.

For any questions or more information on the program, please call us at 302-422-1329 or email [email protected]

📷: DNC Staff / Kayla Gonzon

08/25/2026

Upcoming program: Jellyfishing in Delaware

Thursday, August 27 at 11 a.m.

Oh my! There have been so many jellyfish visiting us in the Delaware Bay! But have you ever wondered why they’re here or if they matter to the environment? Well, join our naturalists Thursday as we discuss what a jellyfish is, why there are so many, and how to stay safe if accidentally stung by a jelly in the Bay.

📷: DNC Staff / Kayla Gonzon

08/22/2026

While some people may be bummed that summer is winding down, we always look forward to this time of the year. Not because kids are going back to school, but rather because for the past few years around late-August we’ve been lucky enough to spot green sea turtles swimming around the pilings right off our deck!

While green sea turtles can be found nearly all around the world, this endangered species is a rare sight here, and generally only make their way up to our shorelines during their summer migrations. During this time of the year, they are either searching for better feeding grounds or finding their nesting grounds. In our friends’ case, they are most likely looking for a delicious snack as their nesting grounds are further south, along the shores of South Carolina and Florida.

If you look closely, you may notice the serrations on its beak in this picture. Adult green sea turtles are mainly herbivores, so these serrations help them cut and chop through the seagrasses and seaweeds they feed on. However, juveniles of the species are more omnivorous, and you can catch them feeding on a wide variety of food, including jellyfish and crustaceans. Luckily for us, we have all sorts of great options in the waters around our nature center, so stop by and see if you catch a glimpse of our hungry friends before they fill up and head out!

📷: DNC Staff / Kayla Gonzon

08/20/2026

Jellyfish often say, “going with the flow allows life to flow around you”, or at least we think that’s a philosophy they’d live by!

These pre-historic creatures have been going with the flow for millions of years, traveling into oceans across the world, and of course right here into our Delaware Bay. They’ve become a hot topic in our beach towns recently due to increased ocean temperatures which cause rising jellyfish populations. In Delaware, being greeted by these feisty, brainless beings can be annoying on the beach. However, jellyfish are not all bad and actually play an important role in the health of the oceans!

Jellyfish are an important food source for aquatic animals like sea turtles, sunfish, and even other jellies. Jellyfish help maintain micro-organism populations as well, by simply eating them and allowing for healthy bacteria to grow. Being keepers of balance, they also help carry critical nutrients throughout parts of the ocean like nitrogen and phosphorus to keep the ocean healthy and thriving.

Since jellyfish are so important to aquatic ecosystems, we like to think we are lucky to be able to see them at our local Delaware beaches. However, we understand that no one wants to get stung, and the moon jellies and sea nettles which are common around shores can both leave an unpleasant mark. Being stung on the beach isn’t a great feeling but remedies like pouring vinegar on the irritated area allows fast relief.

If you would like to learn more about jellyfish in the Delaware Bay, join us in our upcoming program “Jellyfishing in the Delaware Bay” on August 27 at 11 a.m. We’ll discuss some little understood knowledge about jellies, and dive into interesting facts about the species we most commonly see here.

📷: DNC Staff

08/18/2026

Upcoming Programs: Who Lived in This Shell?

Tomorrow! Wednesday, August 19 at 11 a.m.

If you were to take a quick stroll on the beach, you’d find an array of beautiful and interesting shells. But these shells aren’t just pretty trinkets–shells are what many arthropods and mollusks call home! Join us to learn about how these shells are made, what types of animals make them, and how to identify some of the common shells found along Delaware’s shores.

Then, stick around to make some accessories and decorations featuring locally-collected shells.

All ages are welcome, but this program is best suited for ages 12+ due to complex material.

For any questions or more information on the program, please call us at 302-422-1329 or email [email protected]

📷: DNC Staff

08/16/2026

Upcoming program: Beachcombing

Tuesday, August 18 at 9 a.m.

Meet at the pavilion next to the fire hall at Slaughter Beach: 359 Bay Avenue, Milford, DE 19963

It is a great time of the year to be on the beach! Not only have we been enjoying perfect weather on the beach, the temperature in the Delaware Bay usually peaks around this time of the year, meaning we’ll see all sorts of interesting aquatic visitors we may not normally find here. The extra warm waters welcome a variety of species who come into the bay for a quick visit before heading back south to their usual habitats.

From mangrove (or gray) snappers, to Atlantic lookdowns, we’ve been seeing and hearing about some fascinating species enjoying our warm waters. Want to find out what kinds of fish, shellfish, and even marine plants we can find here this time of the year? Join us as we stroll along the shoreline, talking about what species are visiting us, and looking for evidence of wildlife that are enjoying both the waters of the bay, and the beaches as well.

For any questions or more information on the program, please call us at 302-422-1329 or email [email protected].

📷: DNC Staff

08/15/2026

There are so many cool animals in and around the Delaware Bay! From spotted sandpipers to blackcheek tonguefish, long-clawed hermit crabs to double-crested cormorants, many local critters are named for their unique physical features.

Now's your chance to join in on the fun by finding your own silly DE Bay Animal Name! Use the first letter of your name, favorite color, and birth month to create a one-of-a-kind animal and share yours below!

Address

2992 Lighthouse Road
Milford, DE
19963

Telephone

(302) 422-1329

Website

http://de.gov/dnc

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