New Castle Conservation District

08/06/2025

Just a reminder to everyone- if you haven't already made the switch to follow our new social page be sure to do that! Hope to see you over there: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577030690177&mibextid=ZbWKwL

We continue to appreciate your patience during this transition.

🔗Don’t forget to check out our Linktree and website to stay up to date with everything happening at the District.

If you have any questions or need assistance, we're always here to help - just reach out!

Since 1944, we've used a voluntary, cooperative approach with local farmers and cooperators in both urban and rural communities to address their resource concerns. 🌱

06/17/2025

Happy June, everyone! 🌻☀️

As we step into a new season, we're excited to share some important updates with you!

You may have noticed a fresh look across our social media - we’ve been working on refreshing our pages and boosting our online presence to stay better connected with you.

Unfortunately, our original page has experienced some technical issues. To ensure we can continue sharing updates and important information, we've launched a brand-new page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577030690177&mibextid=ZbWKwL

We’re in the process of transferring key content to this new page and truly appreciate your patience during this transition.

🔗Don’t forget to check out our Linktree and website to stay up to date with everything happening at the District.

If you have any questions or need assistance, we're always here to help - just reach out!

05/26/2025

In observance of Memorial Day, the NCCD Office will be closed today, Monday, May 26th. We will reopen for normal business hours tomorrow, Tuesday, May 27th at 8 AM.

05/13/2025

Celebrating Conservation Advocates at the DE Governor's Conservation Awards Ceremony 🌱🎉

🚜Agriculture Awardee:
Michael G. Kitts Jr. and Family

Michael Kitts signed up for the USDA-FSA Beginning Farmer Loan Program in 2018 to purchase his home farm with his family. Since then, Mike has incorporated best management practices and participated in New Castle Conservation District and NRCS programs for his beef cattle operation and expanded his operation to over 1800 acres of owned and rented cropland.

💧Urban Conservation Awardee:
The Independence School Stream Stabilization Project

The Independence School Stream Stabilization Project consisted of 360 feet of restoration of an unnamed tributary of Pike Creek, which is part of the Wild and Scenic White Clay Creek watershed. The project included an imbricated rock seat wall and a boulder path through the tributary stream so that it can also be used as an outdoor classroom.

Join us in congratulating our 2025 Governor's Conservation Awardees! 👏 Together, they help us to protect our natural resources and foster a sustainable future!

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05/03/2025

We hope you loved exploring and diving into the world of habitats during Stewardship Week 2025!

Thank you for being part of this journey, and we invite you to keep joining and engaging with us often as we champion conservation efforts together 🌍💚🌱♻️

Have questions or want to connect more? Tap the link in our bio!
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05/02/2025

Habitats come in all shapes and sizes! However, they can all be categorized into one of five major types: forest, desert, grassland, aquatic, or tundra. Swipe to learn more on this ! 🌎

Photo 2: Forests
Forests are home to more than 80% of the plants, animals, and insects that live on land! Conserving forests is about more than just trees – protecting forests also protects all the critters that call forests their home.

Photo 3: Urban
are found everywhere. While you may not imagine a city when you think of habitats, gardens and other urban spaces are vital homes for plants and animals!

What are some animals you remember seeing from your last trip to an urban garden? 🌱🌳🌻🐝

Photo 4: Wetlands
Wetlands are home to a wide array of species — including fish, reptiles, mammals, and everything in between. 🐟🦟🦎🐢

Not only are these habitats vital to the various flora and fauna who call it home but also those living nearby. Wetlands can store floodwater, protecting surrounding communities from flooding.

Photo 5: Coastal
Mangroves are tropical trees that thrive in salty, coastal waters. While most trees could not survive in these conditions, the roots of mangroves are able to provide nesting and nursery habitat for marine life. From tiny fish to massive crocodiles, mangrove forests protect an estimated 1,500 different species! 🐠🐊

Photo 6: Grasslands
Grasslands, which support diverse wildlife from bison to birds, are America’s most endangered habitat. According to the Audubon Society, more than 360 million acres, or 60%, of have been lost in the U.S., with another 125 million acres at high risk. It is crucial that we work to conserve these habitats!

Photo 7: Districts + Territories
The islands and coastal areas in some U.S. territories are home to rare tropical forests, coral reefs, and vital wetlands that support endangered species and provide essential ecosystem services.
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05/01/2025

Two Delaware partners in habitat conservation are Delaware Wild Lands and Delaware Nature Society. They strive to protect and conserve the natural world around us too. So, be sure to visit their accounts for more information on what they do and events they host! 🌳🐟🐮🦉
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04/30/2025

Let's test your knowledge of habitats. Head to our stories for a short quiz about habitats. This quiz is meant to be fun and simple - hint: use our previous posts to help you answer the questions 😉

Let us know how you did in the comments!
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04/29/2025

Delaware is home to habitats that include wetlands, forests, and various types of waterways. New Castle County is also home to both the Delaware River Watershed and the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. These habitats change over time due to natural processes and human activities.

Aquatic environments, such as rivers and oceans, can be influenced by factors like pollution, shifting water levels, and the presence of new species. Similarly, terrestrial habitats are affected by changes in land use and the introduction of non-native and invasive plant and animal species.

Unfortunately, natural processes and human activities are causing changes in the environment at an unprecedented and accelerated rate. Below are some ways to help protect our habitats:

♻️ Reduce Single-Use Plastics
Refillable water bottles, reusable bags, and containers help to minimize plastic waste that can end up in oceans and rivers.

🌳 Participate in Tree Planting
Join or organize tree planting activities to help restore and expand natural habitats.

💚 Green Spaces
Support and advocate for the preservation of local parks and natural areas to maintain healthy terrestrial and aquatic habitats.

🗣️ Spread the Message
Raise awareness about the importance of keeping waterways clean and the effects of pollution on aquatic life.
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04/28/2025

A habitat is the natural environment where an organism lives, grows, and interacts with other living and non-living elements.

Habitats provide everything an organism needs to survive, including food, water, shelter, and suitable environmental conditions.

The two types of broad habitats are terrestrial and aquatic. Aquatic habitats encompass water-based environments such as oceans and freshwater lakes, while terrestrial habitats include land-based environments like forests and deserts.

🐮 Terrestrial
Terrestrial animals are those that primarily live on land. They have adapted to a variety of terrestrial habitats, including mountains, grasslands, deserts, and woods. Turtles, dogs, bears, and horses are some well-known terrestrial animals.

🐟 Aquatic
Aquatic animals are adapted to life in water. To survive in water, aquatic species have developed traits like gills, fins, and streamlined bodies. Fish, whales, and dolphins are a few examples of aquatic species.
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04/27/2025

Celebrate with us! This week, we are talking about the importance of . Follow along with us to learn about habitats and their inhabitants and how you can help keep your local plants and wildlife protected.

Visit through the link in our bio to get involved! Here you’ll find educational materials, habitat conservation projects, and more to use throughout the week.
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The National Association of Conservation Districts Stewardship Week, an annual program since 1955, stands as one of the nation’s largest initiatives dedicated to promoting the conservation of natural resources. Occurring between the last Sunday in April and the first Sunday in May, this week-long event serves as a powerful reminder of our personal responsibilities to safeguard our precious natural resources.

The 2025 Stewardship theme “Home is Where the Habitat is.” highlights the essential role of both natural and managed habitats in our conservation efforts.

While Stewardship Week is a focused event, our commitment to celebrating and safeguarding these habitats extends throughout the entire year. Our conservation community is dedicated to protecting a wide range of ecosystems—from pristine natural landscapes to carefully enhanced habitats. These efforts are critical in supporting biodiversity and maintaining ecological balance.

Join us from April 27th to May 4th, 2025, for the 70th annual Golden Jubilee Anniversary, in recognizing the importance of these habitats, and our partnerships as we work together to ensure their health and resilience for future generations.
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04/22/2025

🌍 Happy Earth Day (April 22nd) from all of us at the New Castle Conservation District! What conservation practices are you embracing today and every day? Let's celebrate our planet together! 💚