Delaware Open Space Council - DNREC

https://dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/parks/open-space/

Goals and Objectives

The program sets and follows an Open Space Program Plan with a long-term goal of providing all Delaware residents and visitors with maximum opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and Delaware’s natural assets. It does this by pursuing a number of connected objectives:

• To protect and conserve all forms of natural and cultural resources.

• To protect and conserve the biological diversity of plants and animals and their habitat.

• To protect or expand existing or planned parks, forests, wildlife areas, nature preserves or other recreation, conservation, or cultural sites.

• To preserve sites of special natural, cultural, or geological interest.

• To connect existing open spaces into a cohesive system of greenways and resource areas.

• To provide for public outdoor recreation.

• To allow for water resource conservation.

In order to ensure goals and objectives are met, each property is evaluated using the Guidelines to Evaluate Land Being Considered For Permanent Protection.

Partnerships and Coordination

The Open Space Program works to leverage federal funds and private money with Open Space funds. It encourages donations through the promotion of tax benefits, and legacy and estate planning tools. And it targets conservation easements to protect areas that aren’t immediately adjacent to already-protected lands.

• Division of Parks and Recreation

Elena Stewart at elena.stewart@delaware.gov, Land Preservation Specialist, 302-739-9935

• Division of Fish & Wildlife

Kerri Yandrich, Conservation Land Acquisition Specialist

• Delaware Forest Service

Kyle Hoyd, Assistant Forestry Administrator

• Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs

Timothy Slavin, Director and State Historic Preservation Officer

Open Space Council Meetings

https://publicmeetings.delaware.gov/Search/?AgencyID=49

Contact Elena Stewart at elena.stewart@delaware.gov

Protected Lands Maps

https://dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/parks/open-space/maps/

Sussex County

• Delaware Seashore State Park, Thompson Island Nature Preserve, Angola Neck Nature Preserve and Massey’s Landing

• Cape Henlopen State Park

• Delaware Seashore State Park and Assawoman Canal

• Doe Bridge Nature Preserve, Redden State Forest, and Assawoman Wildlife Area

• Fenwick Island State Park and Assawoman Wildlife Area

• Great Marsh Preserve

• Holts Landing State Park

• Midlands Wildlife Area and Ingram Pond

• Milford Neck Wildlife Area and Cedar Creek Nature Preserve

• Nanticoke Wildlife Area and Hearns Pond

• Nanticoke Wildlife Area

• Old Furnace Wildlife Area and Concord Pond

• Redden State Forest