James Farm Ecological Preserve

06/01/2026

❕ Reminder: Volunteer training isn't over just yet! ❕

🌊 Join us this June for our Discovery Bay Volunteer Training and help connect learners of all ages with the wonders of the Inland Bays. From wading through shallow waters to discovering marine life firsthand, Discovery Bay volunteers help create unforgettable experiences at the Preserve.

New to volunteering with us? No worries! Create your MyImpact account and complete the volunteer application 👉 https://bttr.im/tfqv0
From there, you can register for trainings, search and sign up for volunteer opportunities, log hours, and more!

05/28/2026

Earlier this month, volunteers and staff members gathered at the James Farm Ecological Preserve for a native tree planting! 🌳

This planting was made possible through Delaware’s Tree for Every Delawarean Initiative (TEDI), a statewide effort working toward the goal of planting one tree for every Delawarean. As part of Delaware’s climate action efforts, TEDI supports projects that improve air and water quality, preserve soil, support wildlife, and help reduce greenhouse gases through tree planting and restoration.

Thank you to everyone who helped us grow a healthier future for the Bays! 💚

05/27/2026

🌊 Step into the world of horseshoe crabs! 🌊

Join us on June 12 from 10 AM - 2 PM at the James Farm Preserve for a FREE Kids' Day Public Program all about these fascinating ancient creatures.

Participants will learn about horseshoe crab anatomy, their important role in the ecosystem, and fun facts about one of the oldest species on Earth while exploring the shoreline habitat of the Inland Bays. Perfect for curious kids and nature-loving families!

📍James Farm Ecological Preserve, Ocean View, DE
🧑‍💻 Don't forget to register!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kids-day-horseshoe-crabs-tickets-1989111016596?aff=oddtdtcreator

05/26/2026

Thanks for helping us spread the word about the James Farm Preserve!🥾 🌳 ☀️

OCEAN VIEW, Del. — If you’re looking for a way to reconnect with nature, look no further than James Farm Ecological Preserve. With 150 acres of pristine land, this preserve is a haven for nature lovers and outdoor adventurers alike. “Here you can experience all different kinds of habitats so y...

05/19/2026

Happy horseshoe crab survey season! Bob Collins reporting on this beautiful day for the University of Delaware Citizens Monitoring Program at the James Farm Ecological Preserve! ☀️

05/18/2026

☀️ June is packed with fun at the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays! Join us for our FREE Kids’ Day Public Programs all month long.

🦀 June 12 | Horseshoe Crabs 10 AM - 12 PM
Learn about the importance of horseshoe crabs, explore their anatomy, and discover fun facts about one of the oldest creatures on Earth while exploring the shoreline ecosystem.
📍 James Farm Ecological Preserve, Ocean View, DE

🐾 June 16 | Backyard Critters 10 AM - 12 PM
Discover the animals living in your own backyard and learn about the unique adaptations that help them survive in local habitats.
⚠️ Registration required.
📍 Inland Bays Garden Center, Frankford, DE

🦀 June 19 | Crazy Crabs 10 AM - 12 PM
Explore the different crab species found in the Inland Bays and learn which are native, which are invasive, and why they are important to the ecosystem.
📍 James Farm Ecological Preserve, Ocean View, DE

🐟 June 23 | FINtastic Fish 10 AM - 12 PM
Dive into the Inland Bays food web and learn how forage fish help support birds, crabs, and other wildlife throughout the estuary.
📍 James Farm Ecological Preserve, Ocean View, DE

We hope to see you at one or all!

For more information, please visit https://inlandbays.org/events/

05/14/2026

Interested in learning more about the Inland Bays’ most iconic bird? 🪶

Join us for Inland Bays Birding: Osprey at the James Farm Ecological Preserve on May 28 from 10–11:30 AM. Learn about ospreys from a local expert while observing active nests around the Preserve and discovering why these birds are so important to our coastal ecosystem.

Bring your binoculars and enjoy a morning of birding, exploration, and wildlife discovery!

📲 Don’t forget to register here! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/inland-bays-birding-osprey-tickets-156929740077?aff=oddtdtcreator

05/08/2026

Have you spotted our new bird boxes around the Preserve? 🐦

Earlier this spring, two volunteers, Mike Spangler and Chris Moore, helped replace old boxes and install new ones along the Purple Trail and native milkweed meadow to support local bird populations! Built primarily from cedar (with a few pine boxes) and mounted on rot-resistant black locust posts, each one is designed to be both durable and bird-friendly.

We’re also testing different box designs, entrance styles, and sizes to learn what works best. Some smaller boxes are even designed to attract chickadees—tiny but mighty birds that help control pests like spotted lanternflies!

You’ll also find a special box near the freshwater pond, built in hopes of welcoming wood ducks! Predator guards made from recycled materials help keep nests safe, and each box is carefully placed to give birds the space they need to thrive.

Keep an eye out next time you visit—each box is numbered as part of an ongoing monitoring effort. We’re excited to see who moves in! 🪺 🏠

05/05/2026

University of Delaware Citizens Monitoring Program at the James Farm Ecological Preserve: Cinco de Mayo edition 🎉 ☀️ 🌊

05/05/2026

Discover what makes our coastal ecosystems so important! 🌿🌊

Join us for Explore an Estuary at the James Farm Ecological Preserve on May 19 from 10–11:30 AM. Learn how estuaries support clean water, wildlife, and our local way of life while exploring the Preserve alongside our team.

This program offers a closer look at the connections between land and water, and why protecting these habitats matters.

Don’t forget to register! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/explore-an-estuary-tickets-156930785203?aff=oddtdtcreator