By Ashley Breeding
Delaware Today

Local preservationists encourage us to get outdoors and help foster a deeper appreciation for nature.

On a sunny spring morning at Middle Run Valley Natural Area, where petrichor released by an early rain still lingers and moist grass rubs our ankles, two “Delaware Today” staffers join a group of birders for their weekly walk. Leading the group are Delaware Nature Society’s (DelNature) director of land stewardship Joe Sebastiani and retired director of land and biodiversity Jim White, who returned as a teacher naturalist.

Above, tiny tree swallows flitter and swoop. We stare intently until an eastern kingbird, with pointed wings and a pale underbelly, catches Sebastiani’s gaze. “This one winters in the tropics…,” he begins to tell us. Then he suddenly shifts his attention to a great blue heron he spots soaring high overhead.

Hundreds of bird species fly through Delaware or migrate here in late spring and early fall. DelNature, whose threefold mission concerns environmental education, conservation, and environmental advocacy, has worked with New Castle County for more than three decades to reforest sections of Middle Run to attract new wildlife, including migratory birds.

Among dozens of wooden boxes—some house nests with ripe eggs—are saplings of oak, sycamore, tulip poplar, black willow, red maple, and other keystone trees that support the area’s diverse ecosystem. By enclosing them in cages or tubes, staff prevent invasive species, like the pervasive porcelain berry, from overtaking them. “The [vines] can grow up to 15 feet a year, so they’re a huge problem,” Sebastiani points out. His organization dedicates a lot of time to mitigating threats to the habitat as well as the critters who rely on it for food and shelter.

As the birders amble along the 1.5-mile loop (the public park encompasses 880 acres, with trails that connect to White Clay Creek State Park), White and Sebastiani “bzzt,” “tnkk,” and mimic songs to attract sought-after species like the blue grosbeak and bobolink. Occasionally, Sebastiani employs an app to emit calls; once a member of the group spots a worthy bird, White shines a laser pointer to help the others locate it.

The two also have an impressive knack for highlighting a narrow spot in a vast landscape. One will ask the group, “See where a ‘v’ forms between those two trees?” Almost immediately, everyone’s binoculars land on the target.

“There are two [types] of people in the group,” Sebastiani notes. “One is pretty experienced but wants to go with someone even more experienced to help them spot hard-to-find birds.” He nods to the migrant warbler, which is as little as it is colorful, making it difficult to locate up in the trees. “The others are beginners who want to learn bird identifications.”

Right away, Becca and I assume the witty woman wearing a T-shirt that says “Tits” across her chest (below it are illustrations of the bearded, long-tailed, and crested variety, among other tits) has been around the loop. And then there are a few fledgling birders—both generations and a breadth of knowledge apart.

Novices should first download the Merlin Bird ID app, which helps identify species through sounds, images, and other fun characteristics; it also compiles a list of birds discovered during birding journeys. A “lifer” refers to the first time one encounters a certain species, and it’s a significant moment for any birder.

In addition to birding lingo (for starters, don’t call these enthusiasts “bird-watchers”—that’s for grannies who admire wildlife from the porch rocker), you’ll learn fun facts about bird behavior. For instance, did you know blue jays imitate hawk sounds to spook predators away? Or that the great crested flycatcher loves to add discarded snakeskins to its nest? “We don’t really know why they do this,” Sebastiani concedes, “but we think it might have something to do with chemicals that help keep away mites or insects.”

In a couple hours, we’ve identified 33 different birds, but Sebastiani says he often sees closer to 60. In September and October, you might encounter a few species absent in the spring, like the Lincoln’s sparrow or the Connecticut warbler. Others, like the orchard oriole, depart soon and don’t return until the following year.

While Middle Run’s forests, fields, and scattered trees attract open-country birds, wetland areas like Bombay Hook or Fort Delaware provide an entirely different experience for visitors. Throughout Delaware, national wildlife refuges, state parks, private nature organizations, and other groups also work to improve and save habitats from decline. Sebastiani reminds us that these agencies can’t do it alone, though. You can start in your own backyard with native landscaping.

The post Delaware Nature Society Encourages People to Explore the Outdoors appeared first on Delaware Nature Society.

Innovative practices, value-added programs, and direct sales benefit Delaware’s small farms.

Brittingham Farms was a typical southern Delaware grain farm until the current generation took the reins. The Millsboro business, founded in 1930, yields soybeans and corn on a rotating basis. These crops are called feed grain because much of it goes to the poultry industry. However, there are multiple uses. For instance, crayon manufacturers use soybeans to make the coloring sticks.

In 2019, Jon and Laura Brittingham decided to shake things up. While Jon continued to work on the original acres, Laura added sheep and lavender. She also opened the farm to the public. “I wanted to offer fun experiences—farm-to-table dinners, weddings, and educational opportunities for kids,” she says. “We wanted our kids to grow up knowing what it was like to live and work on a grain farm.” Other Delaware farmers are also seeking ways to survive and thrive in a changing world. “The truth of the matter is that a family of five can’t survive on 350 acres of grain anymore,” Laura says. “The profit margin for corn and soybeans just isn’t very high.”

Lenore Brady of Stag Run Farm in Georgetown agrees. “You need to know how to make money off the farm,” says Brady, who bought the land with her husband, Craig, in 2003.

A Changing Landscape

Farms once sprawled across the state, from northern New Castle County to Sussex County’s southern tip. Although Delaware is small, conditions vary considerably. To the south, the Atlantic coastal plain is flat, sandy, and sometimes swampy. The Piedmont offers rolling hills with rocky soil or clay in the northwest. And terrain affects the choice of crops and livestock.

Delaware produced more peaches in the late 1800s and early 1900s than any other state. When a blight destroyed that crop, strawberries, tomatoes, and melons entered the picture. The produce fueled the growth of the state’s railroad system and canneries. In the 20th century, machinery made it easier to grow corn and soybeans, which supplied feed grains for the broiler industry, started in 1923 by Cecile Steele of Ocean View.

According to the most recent USDA Census of Agriculture, released in early 2024, Delaware has 2,158 farms in total, 72% of which are run by families or individuals. Many have deep roots. Since 1987, the Delaware Century Farm Program has honored 160 family-run farms that are at least 100 years old. Honorees have a minimum of 10 acres of the original parcel, or they gross more than $10,000 annually in agricultural sales.

Although farmland is dwindling, newcomers have stepped up to the hoe, such as Frankford’s Story Hill Farm, founded in 2019, and Cosmic Dog Farm in Ellendale, established in 2022.

Standing Out in a Crowd

Corn is Delaware’s top crop, and watermelons are the leading fruit crop. However, broiler chickens are the most valuable agricultural product, according to the Delaware Prosperity Partnership, the state’s nonprofit economic development agency. Other products include wheat, barley, apples, peaches, grapes, peas, and dairy.

Many of the state’s farms are part of a vertical integration system—a single company controls multiple stages of the production process, from breeding to processing to distribution. Farms under contract only provide grain, chickens, or dairy products to that company. The broiler business is an example of a vertically integrated operation. Growers of other crops, such as melons, may work with brokers, auction houses, and shippers to distribute their products.

There are advantages, namely that you’re assured an agreed-upon amount, says Ryan Richard, co-owner of the 24-acre East View Farms in Bridgeville. But he prefers to grow and harvest on his terms and to sell directly to consumers.

To stand alone, farms must market themselves. It helps that Richard has cultivated a specialty. In addition to tomatoes, peppers, sweet corn, and tomatoes, East View grows mushrooms, including lion’s mane, oyster, and shiitake. He sells to chefs, including Matt Kern of One Coastal in Fenwick Island, and will produce items for restaurants upon request.

Stag Run Farm specializes in heirloom and specialty fruits, as well as asparagus and butter beans. The farm’s Butter Bean Honey uses beans pollinated by bees. Stag Run also has a proprietary apple-cider vinaigrette, and the Bradys’ daughter, Christina, is the brains behind Rotten Apples Cider, which uses apples deemed too ugly to sell at farm stands.

At Brittingham Farms, planting lavender has paid off in multiple ways. The farm has a distillery for essential oils, made from Grosso and Riverina Thomas plants, the “workhorses of the oil industry,” Laura Brittingham says. She also grows savory varieties and frequently collaborates with other local businesses. For instance, Forgotten 50 Distilling in Berlin, Maryland, uses her lavender to make vodka. Revelation Craft Brewing in Rehoboth has featured the lavender in beer, and Salted Vines Vineyard & Winery in Frankford has used it for a sweet riesling.

The Frozen Farmer uses Brittingham’s Royal Velvet lavender in ice cream. The chilly business, seen on “Shark Tank,” is another example of diversification, started by Kevin and Katey Evans of the nearly 2,000-acre Evans Farms.

The third-generation Bridgeville farm is best known for sweet corn and watermelons shipped to grocers and wholesalers. Because Kevin’s mother grew up on a Camden dairy farm, the Evanses decided to make ice cream and sorbet featuring their produce. “It’s a neat way to honor the heritage and legacy of both sides of his family,” says Katey, whose first job was on a farm.

One on One

When Katey joined the family in 2006, she put her marketing background—she’s the former public relations director for the Delaware Farm Bureau—to good use. At the time, the family’s humble farmstand primarily sold excess produce. She ensured that the offerings were attractively arranged, and interest grew.

The Evanses now operate two Bridgeville markets: Evans Farm Produce and T.S. Smith Orchard Point Market, formerly part of Charlie Smith’s orchard operation. Wares include jarred goods, baked items, and preserves sourced from area vendors. “Our direct-to-consumer business has been phenomenal,” Katey says.

Jenny and Zach Dittmar hope to experience the same growth. Dittmar Family Farms in Felton encompasses about 50 acres, including leased land, on which the family grows tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, greens, cauliflower, onions, blackberries, and asparagus. This year, they added a farm store with a First State Food System Program grant. A new garage has a 20-foot walk-in cooler, and they purchased equipment from Hattie’s Garden, a small Lewes farm that closed.

Brady is pushing the on-site shop at Stag Run Farm this year. “So many people want to experience the farm,” she says. “They want to see you. They want to talk to you. ‘Hey, can I see what the orchard looks like?’”

These farm stands and shops are replacing community-supported agriculture (CSA), in which participants buy “shares” at a fixed amount and pick up items each week. In many cases, you take what you’re given. Although the CSA format spiked during COVID-19, farmers agree that customers prefer to buy what they want—and can use.

Farm stands and stores aren’t the only way to interact with customers. In 2024, Delaware’s community-run farmers markets experienced record-breaking sales of $4.46 million. “Without farmers markets, we wouldn’t be here,” Brady says.

The farms have varying application requirements. For instance, the Historic Lewes Farmers Market only accepts growers; you can’t purchase produce in Philly and resell it. Richard says all markets should concentrate on growers instead of third-party vendors.

Dittmar Family Farms does four markets a week in summer. “That’s our limit, unless we hire people and buy more vehicles,” Jenny says. Cosmic Dog Farm must balance the market with working the farm. For instance, owners Christian Coody and Jena Murray harvest on Fridays, so they can’t attend markets on those days.

Cultivating Smart Practices

Coody and Murray were living in Colorado when Coody felt a “calling” during the pandemic. “I saw how insecure our food system was and wanted to do what I could for the community.”

Because Colorado land was cost-prohibitive, they moved to Delaware, Murray’s home state.

Their Ellendale property is zoned for agriculture, but given the couple has only a quarter of an acre, they need high yields. Consequently, they practice biointensive agriculture, which promotes biodiversity and soil health. “All our plants are really close together, so we maximize the space and outcompete the weeds,” Coody explains. “It helps with our yields, and when we harvest, we plant right behind it for another crop or two in the season.”

Cover cropping is a priority at East View Farms. Certain plants—legumes, oilseed radishes, and oats—protect and nourish the soil between the primary crops’ growing seasons. East View uses organic practices whenever possible, but it’s not a certified organic farm. The certification process can cost up to $3,000, and there’s time-consuming red tape, Richard says.

Jenny Dittmar uses the term “regenerative” for her farming practices. “We focus on plant diversity, native species habitat, and cover crops to deal with pests, disease, and weed pressure,” she explains. “We integrate livestock for natural land management.”

She and her husband, who is becoming a certified master naturalist, visited Coverdale Farm Preserve to see best practices in action. The Greenville-area farm is part of the Delaware Nature Society, and it was fallow when the society took ownership.

Coverdale has 380 acres, about 170 of which are designated for agriculture. The farmers let the hilly Piedmont land be their guide. “We grow vegetables and flowers on about 4 acres, and we have 55 acres of pasture where we raise egg-laying birds, chickens, Thanksgiving turkeys, a small herd of cows and sheep, and a couple of goats,” says Michele Wales Quinlan, site director and farm manager.

One acre is devoted to a flower garden with herbs, which serves as a pollinator field for bees.

“We demonstrate that food can be grown with environmental integrity,” she continues. “We’re very focused on practices that restore and replenish natural resources. We’re working with nature, not against it.”

Where the Animals Roam

Cows, sheep, and goats keep pastures in check, and chickens supply another source of revenue. For instance, Stag Run Farm sells eggs from a variety of birds to create a carton of various sizes and colors.

Dittmar Family Farms raises Belted Galloway cattle, Berkshire cross pigs, and Katahdin sheep on its pastures. The cows and sheep are grass fed throughout their lives, and the pigs graze on cover crops.

Standard white turkeys—the common commercial breed—strut around Coverdale Farm until Thanksgiving. The farm takes reservations for the birds, picked up in the on-site market. The store regularly sells eggs from pasture-raised chickens.

The animals can have another purpose. Mop-top lambs are the stars of Brittingham Farms’ annual Lavender & Lambs Festival, scheduled this year for June 21 to 22, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Brittinghams first encountered the docile Leicester Longwool sheep on an anniversary trip to Colonial Williamsburg. George Washington valued the breed for its sturdy wool, now called Liberty Cloth, Laura Brittingham says.

She contacted a Maryland breeder and soon had three ewes. Now there are 17 sheep, which are valued for their wool—unless too many rams are born. “They get pushy with the girls, especially if [they’re] pregnant,” Brittingham explains. “Usually, if I call them by name, they stay here forever.”

One lucky boy is Charlie the ram, who is in the 2023 holiday issue of “Victoria” magazine.

Far From Romantic

The ram with the sandy-colored ringlets paints an idyllic picture. But farming is hardly that.

“If my son wasn’t around, I don’t know, at our age, if we could keep this going,” Brady says of her orchard. Apples and tomatoes must be hand-picked, and willing workers are hard to find. “If I were to take it all down, I’d put grain in, because you can use machinery,” she says.

Evans can understand. “A lot of people don’t realize the sacrifices that farmers make to put food on the table—personal and financial sacrifices,” she says. “Farmers certainly don’t do it for the money.”

When farms pay workers close to $20 an hour, and the price of fertilizer and supplies goes up, the cost of produce rises, Brady notes. Fortunately, many customers don’t balk at paying more for local produce directly from the farm. Moreover, as grocery store prices increase, area farmers have become competitive. “Every now and then, you hear someone complain about the pricing, which is to be expected as you get closer to hometown areas,” Coody says of markets in small towns. Conversely, the resort farmers markets attract affluent visitors willing to pay.

Development, particularly in coastal Delaware, brings in more customers. That’s the good news. The bad news is that it consumes leased land, which is how many farmers add to their yields. Development also displaces wildlife, which venture onto farmland to snack on plants.

Then there is the weather. “There’s a difference with climate change,” agrees Wales Quinlan of Coverdale Farm. “A storm blew through here like a freight train, and we lost about $9,000 worth of crops. It took two minutes to wipe out a year of planning and planting. We always know nature is going to win.”

The key to survival is flexibility, she says. Stay in step with ever-changing conditions. Diversify the food sources. Understand what the landscape can handle and produce. In other words, don’t paddle upriver, she says.

Increasingly, that job will fall on small farmers’ shoulders. “You don’t need a lot of acreage to make an impact,” Wales Quinlan concludes. “You just need a good plan.”

And a lot of passion.

The post Delaware’s Small Farms Innovate With the Changing Times appeared first on Delaware Nature Society.

The outdoor classroom and neighboring pollinator and vegetable garden in West Center City are among more than two dozen similar projects led by the Delaware Nature Society.

Joyful screams and chatter filled an outdoor classroom as children hopped from log to log, trying not to fall into the imaginary scorching lava on the ground below them.

The “Secret Garden” at the Learning Center at Madison Street in Wilmington, Delaware is one of the first nature classrooms in the city.

“It will definitely stretch their imagination, and it’s a better learning experience,” said Vanetta Tull, the day care’s director. “The little secret garden — they can do so much stuff in there. Girls can have little tea parties, or like they are right now, playing on the little obstacle course.”

The new outdoor classroom, along with a new pollinator and vegetable garden, in West Center City are among more than two dozen similar projects led by the Delaware Nature Society that aim to enhance communities and alleviate the effects of climate change.

The environmental group received federal dollars from the Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund in 2023 to support the projects.

“This may be one of the only spaces that [the kids] have access to to actually be immersed in nature. And so, just being able to help provide that access for the community and to introduce some more elements of play,” said Kerry Wilson, the organization’s habitat outreach manager.

The vision was initiated by “Ms.” Caren Turner, who died in November after a battle with glioblastoma. Turner, a community leader with Interfaith Community Housing of Delaware, wanted to expand healthy food options among educational settings in food insecure neighborhoods such as West Center City, as well as plant pollinator gardens.

Before the project began, the playground at the Learning Center was unsafe, and a hole cut into the chain link fence allowed trespassers to enter and use drugs at night. The concrete area was barren, and barely used by the children.

Turner’s son, former Wilmington City Councilman Vash Turner, said his mother would be ecstatic to see the recently finished gardens, planted just in time for the spring blooms.

“This was a project that was near and dear to my mom’s heart, and she wanted to see it through,” Turner said. “Unfortunately, she won’t be able to see it, but we’re here in her honor and spirit to keep it moving.”

In addition to the nature classroom, the kids can enjoy a new pollinator garden. Pollinator gardens provide several environmental benefits, including heat absorption. It’s estimated that temperatures in urban areas can be as much as 20 degrees Fahrenheit higher than in vegetated areas. Community gardens also can filter and mitigate stormwater, which climate scientists say is becoming more crucial as rainfall events are predicted to intensify.

“Spring and summer, it should really bloom,” said Kevin Winn, a landscaper who planted the pollinator garden at the Learning Center. “You should see a lot of butterflies, a lot of native bugs and things for kids to see and actually touch and feel. I really think it’s something these kids will really enjoy. When I grew up, we didn’t have nothing like this, nothing but concrete.”

The Delaware Nature Society’s Kerry Wilson said her organization hopes to continue to expand access to nature in West Center City.

“Enabling now the children to be able to go into these spaces in a safe way and explore and have their own self-discovery in nature I think can really lead to powerful benefits down the line, because they are gonna be our next stewards,” she said.

The post ‘Secret garden’ planted at Wilmington day care in time for spring blooms appeared first on Delaware Nature Society.

Delaware faces several crises: a shortage of affordable housing, multiple poor health outcomes, loss of environmental resilience and increasing pollution. Though none have simple causes or solutions, the problems are related, and land-use and transportation decisions over the decades have made them worse.

Decades of piecemeal land-use decisions have resulted in sprawling development and almost total dependence on personal motor vehicles. Those decisions have compromised our health, created a shortage of affordable housing, gobbled up open space and farmland, escalated the public costs of infrastructure and services, driven climate change and eroded the sense of place that makes strong communities. 

Consider Delaware’s elevated incidences of obesity, diabetes and heart disease due partly to our sedentary lifestyle, the increase in pediatric asthma due partly to local air pollution, and the associated high costs of healthcare. 

Consider increased air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from traffic, the high cost of transportation as a percentage of household income, the lack of housing variety putting housing out of reach for too many Delawareans.

Sprawl has also compounded the mobility and housing challenges faced by our significant older population, including the ability to age in place, affecting healthcare costs for state Medicaid and retiree programs and services.

The loss of open space has greatly diminished the land’s ability to absorb stormwater, increasing flooding during major storms and extreme high tides, compromising our climate resilience and increasing the need for expensive infrastructure improvements.

All these conditions hit our most vulnerable neighbors hardest. Their health is worse than the population overall, flooding of their neighborhoods is routine and more severe, their housing options more limited, and they are cut off from valuable resources and economic opportunities.

There is a simple solution: Address the challenges together by reforming land-use strategies to incentivize development where it makes sense and discourage development where it doesn’t. 

The time has come. In Delaware, 60 government entities make land-use decisions under a structure designed when our state was 60% less populated and confronted fewer critical challenges. There is little coordination among those entities and no penalties for deviating from state planning guidance or county comprehensive plans.

New state and county administrations have an opportunity to utilize smart land use, one of the most powerful and cost-effective tools, to address these challenges. 

Rethinking Delaware, an informal coalition of former state officials and nonprofit organizations, believes all levels of government, led by the state, should incentivize development of compact, mixed-use, walkable, transit-supportive communities as a central part of the state’s housing, transportation, health, environmental and climate priorities. Our recommendations include:

• Review and amend all state, county, and local land-use and infrastructure policies and funding for transportation, schools, and water and sewer systems that impede development of compact, walkable communities
• In support of more compact development patterns, refocus transportation investment to accommodate walking, biking and new transit services
• Reorient comprehensive plans and zoning laws to prioritize mixed-use neighborhoods with places to live, work, shop, learn, and play while increasing the supply and diversity of housing and transportation options
• Establish state and/or county task forces to develop innovative proposals for specific areas to address the collective challenges of housing and transportation costs, our changing demographics and health challenges, and climate-related threats, all in ways that incorporate a sustainable economic strategy for the future.

Imagine: Walking the kids to school or bus stop, then heading to the coffee shop, the co-op workspace or transit stop. All right near the grocer, pharmacy and cleaners. On the weekends, enjoy the beautiful green trails around the neighborhood – the same trails others use to cycle to work. Walk or bike to the park and ball fields, the farm stand, and restaurant night.

The result: more physical activity that lowers health risks, easing the cost of healthcare; better air and fewer respiratory ailments, also easing healthcare costs; less of your valuable time spent in traffic; lower transportation costs (which translates to more discretionary spending for our households); more necessities readily available to seniors; stronger communities and a more resilient environment.

That’s a better Delaware for all. If you agree, reach out to your town council, county council, state legislators and the governor-elect to urge action. Reach us at rethinkingdelaware@gmail.com.

Rethinking Delaware is an informal coalition of former cabinet secretaries and state officials including Anne Canby, Rita Landgraf, Christophe Tulou, Joseph Pika, Mark Chura, and Charles Salkin; New Castle County Council representative Dee Durham; and nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations including Delaware Chapter of the Sierra Club, Delaware Nature Society, Healthy Communities Delaware, Housing Alliance of Delaware and The Nature Conservancy in Delaware.

The post It’s time to rethink land-use strategies appeared first on Delaware Nature Society.

Delaware faces several crises: a shortage of affordable housing, a surge in poor health, erosion of environmental resilience and increasing pollution. Though none have simple causes or solutions, the problems are related, and public decisions over the decades have made them worse.

Inconsistent, piecemeal land-use decisions have resulted in sprawling development that has made us totally dependent on personal motor vehicles.Those decisions have gobbled up open space and farmland, escalated the public costs of infrastructure and services, driven climate change and eroded the sense of place that makes strong communities.

Consider Delaware’s elevated incidences of obesity, diabetes and heart disease due partly to our sedentary lifestyle, the increase in pediatric asthma due partly to local air pollution, and the associated high costs of healthcare.

Consider too increased air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from traffic, the high cost of transportation as a percentage of household income, high rents and the continued building of homes at prices out of reach for too many Delawareans.

Sprawl has also compounded the mobility and housing challenges faced by our large and growing older population, including the ability to age in place, which impacts healthcare costs for state Medicaid and retiree programs and services.

What’s more, the loss of open space from new development has greatly diminished the land’s ability to absorb stormwater, which has increased flooding during major storms and extreme high tides, compromising our already compromised climate resilience and increasing the need for expensive infrastructure improvements.

All these conditions hit our most vulnerable neighbors hardest. Their health is worse than the population overall, flooding of their neighborhoods is routine and more severe, their housing options are more limited, and they are cut off from valuable resources and economic opportunities.

There is a simple solution: Address the challenges together by reforming land-use strategies to spur development where it makes sense and discourage development where it doesn’t.

The time has come. In Delaware 60 government entities make land-use decisions under a structure designed when our state was 60 percent less populated and confronted fewer critical challenges. There is little coordination between those entities and there are no penalties for deviating from state planning guidance or county comprehensive plans.

Recognizing smart land use is one of the most powerful and cost-effective tools for addressing the challenges, Rethinking Delaware believes municipal, county and state governments should get on the same page.

Rethinking Delaware is an informal coalition of former state officials and nonprofit, non-governmental organizations that believe government at all levels, led by the state, should encourage development of compact, mixed-use, walkable, transit-supportive communities as a central part of the state’s housing, transportation, health, environmental and climate priorities. Our recommendations to the new administration include:

• Review and amend all state and local land-use and infrastructure policies and funding for transportation, schools, and water and sewer systems that impede development of compact, walkable communities.
• In support of more compact development patterns, shift transportation investment to accommodate walking, biking and new transit services.
• Re-orient comprehensive plans and zoning laws to prioritize mixed-use neighborhoods with places to live, work, shop, learn, and play while increasing the supply and diversity of housing and transportation options.
• Establish state and/or county task forces to develop innovative proposals for specific areas that address the collective challenges of housing and transportation costs, our changing demographics and health challenges, and climate-related threats, all in ways that incorporate a sustainable economic strategy for the future.

Imagine it: Walk the kids to school or bus stop, then to the coffee shop, then to the co-op workspace or transit stop. It’s right near the grocer, pharmacy and cleaners. On the weekends, enjoy the beautiful green trails around the neighborhood—the same trails others use to cycle to work. Walk or bike to the park and ball fields, the farm stand, to restaurant night.

The result: more physical activity that lowers health risks, which eases the cost of healthcare; better air and fewer respiratory ailments, which also eases healthcare costs; less of your valuable time spent in traffic; lower transportation costs (which translates to more discretionary spending for our households), more necessities readily available to seniors, stronger communities and a more resilient environment.

That’s a better Delaware for all. If you agree, reach out to your town council, county council, state legislators and the governor-elect to urge action. Reach us at rethinkingdelaware@gmail.com.

Rethinking Delaware is an informal coalition of former cabinet secretaries and state officials including Anne Canby, Rita Landgraf, Christophe Tulou, Joseph Pika, Mark Chura, and Charles Salkin; New Castle County Council representative Dee Durham; and nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations including Delaware Chapter of the Sierra Club, Delaware Nature Society, Healthy Communities Delaware, Housing Alliance of Delaware and The Nature Conservancy in Delaware.

The post VIEWPOINT: It’s Time to Rethink Land-use Strategies appeared first on Delaware Nature Society.

Delaware confronts a collection of related crises: a shortage of affordable housing, a surge in unhealthy medical conditions, erosion of environmental resilience and rising air and water pollution. While none of these has simple causes or solutions, public decisions over the past several decades have exacerbated them.

Delaware’s sprawling development patterns force us to drive — to school, to work, to the store, to the fitness center and elsewhere — and often at considerable distances. Decades of piecemeal land use decisions have made us totally dependent on our personal motor vehicles.

That dependence has cost us a great deal. It has compromised our health; created a shortage of diverse and affordable housing; gobbled up open space, farmland, forests and wetlands; increased pollution; escalated the public costs of infrastructure and services; driven climate change; and eroded the sense of place and quality of life that makes strong communities.

Consider Delaware’s elevated incidences of obesity, diabetes and heart disease, due partly to our sedentary lifestyle; the increase in pediatric asthma, due partly to local air pollution; and the high cost of health care associated with all those conditions.

Consider, too, increased air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from traffic, the high cost of transportation as a percentage of household income, high rents and the continued building of homes at prices out of reach for too many Delawareans.

Our development patterns also compound the mobility and housing challenges faced by our large and growing older population, including the ability to age in place, which has downstream impacts on health care costs for state Medicaid and retiree programs and services.

All these conditions hit our most vulnerable neighbors hardest. Their health is worse than the population overall, flooding of their neighborhoods is routine and more consequential, their housing options are more limited, and they are cut off from valuable resources and economic opportunities.

What’s more, the loss of open space from new development has greatly diminished the land’s ability to absorb stormwater, which has increased flooding during major weather events and extreme high tides, compromising our already compromised climate resilience and increasing the need for expensive infrastructure improvements.

And, with every traffic study aimed at accommodating more cars and with every zoning change we approve — every subdivision, strip center or office park — we make the challenges harder to address.

Yet, there is a simple solution: Address the challenges together by reforming our land use strategies. In a nutshell, spur development where it makes real sense and discourage development where it causes the most damage.

The time has come. In Delaware, 60 government entities make land use decisions under a structure designed when our state was 60% less populated and confronted fewer critical challenges. There is little coordination between those entities, and there are no penalties for deviating from state planning guidance or county comprehensive plans.

We hope the incoming administration will recognize that smart land use is one of the most powerful and cost-effective tools for addressing our housing challenges, mitigating climate effects, building community resilience and improving human and environmental health.

Shouldn’t municipal, county and state governments be on the same page? Rethinking Delaware believes they should. Rethinking Delaware is an informal coalition of former state officials and nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations that believe government at all levels, led by the state, should encourage development of compact, mixed-use, walkable, transit-supportive communities as a central part of the state’s housing, transportation, health, environmental and climate priorities. Our recommendations to the new administration include:

• Review and amend all state and local land use and infrastructure policies and funding for transportation, schools and water and sewer systems that impede development of compact, walkable communities.
• In support of more compact development patterns, shift transportation investment to accommodate walking, biking and a new suite of transit services.
• Reorient all comprehensive plans and zoning laws to prioritize mixed-use neighborhoods with places to live, work, shop, learn and play, while increasing the supply and diversity of housing and transportation options.
• Establish state and/or county task forces to develop innovative proposals for specific areas that address the collective challenges of housing and transportation costs, our changing demographics and health challenges, and climate-related threats, all in ways that incorporate a sustainable economic strategy for the future.

Imagine what could be. Walk the kids to school or the bus stop, then walk to the local café for a coffee on the way to the co-op workspace or transit stop. It’s right near the grocer, pharmacy and cleaners. On the weekends, hike or bike the beautiful green trails around the neighborhood — the same trails others use to cycle to work. Walk or bike to the park and ballfield, to the farm stand, to restaurant night.

The result: more physical activity that lowers health risks, which eases the cost of health care; better air and fewer respiratory ailments, which also ease health care costs; less valuable time spent in traffic; lower transportation costs, which translate to more discretionary spending for our households; more necessities readily available to seniors; stronger communities; and a more resilient environment.

That’s a better Delaware for everyone. If you agree, reach out to your town council, county council representatives, state legislators and the governor-elect to urge action. Reach us at rethinkingdelaware@gmail.com.

Rethinking Delaware is an informal coalition of former cabinet secretaries and state officials including Anne Canby, Rita Landgraf, Christophe Tulou, Joseph Pika, Mark Chura, and Charles Salkin; New Castle County Council representative Dee Durham; and nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations including Delaware Chapter of the Sierra Club, Delaware Nature Society, Healthy Communities Delaware, Housing Alliance of Delaware and The Nature Conservancy in Delaware.

The post Rethinking Delaware: Land use is key to many issues appeared first on Delaware Nature Society.

Delaware confronts a collection of related crises: a shortage of affordable housing; a surge in unhealthy medical conditions; erosion of environmental resilience; and rising air and water pollution. While none of these have simple causes or solutions, public decisions over the past several decades have exacerbated them.

Delaware’s sprawling development patterns force us to drive — to school, to work, to the store, to the fitness center and elsewhere — and often at considerable distances. Decades of piecemeal land-use decisions have made us totally dependent on our personal motor vehicles.

That dependence has cost us a great deal. It has compromised our health; created a shortage of diverse and affordable housing; gobbled up open space, farmland, forests and wetlands; increased pollution; escalated the public costs of infrastructure and services; driven climate change; and eroded the sense of place and quality of life that makes strong communities.

Consider Delaware’s elevated incidences of obesity, diabetes and heart disease, due partly to our sedentary lifestyle; the increase in pediatric asthma due partly to local air pollution; and the high cost of healthcare associated with all those conditions.

Consider, too, increased air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from traffic, the high cost of transportation as a percentage of household income, high rents and the continued building of homes at prices out of reach for too many Delawareans.

Our development patterns also compound the mobility and housing challenges faced by our large and growing older population, including the ability to age in place, which has downstream impacts on healthcare costs for state Medicaid and retiree programs and services.

All of these conditions hit our most vulnerable neighbors hardest. Their health is worse than the population overall, flooding of their neighborhoods is routine and more consequential, their housing options are more limited, and they are cut off from valuable resources and economic opportunities.

What’s more, the loss of open space from new development has greatly diminished the land’s ability to absorb stormwater, which has increased flooding during major weather events and extreme high tides, compromising our already compromised climate resilience and increasing the need for expensive infrastructure improvements.

And with every traffic study aimed at accommodating more cars and with every zoning change we approve — every subdivision, strip center or office park — we make the challenges harder to address.

Yet there is a simple solution: Address the challenges together by reforming our land-use strategies. In a nutshell, spur development where it makes real sense and discourage development where it causes the most damage.

The time has come. In Delaware, 60 government entities make land-use decisions under a structure designed when our state was 60 percent less populated and confronted fewer critical challenges. There is little coordination between those entities, and there are no penalties for deviating from state planning guidance or county comprehensive plans.

We hope the incoming administration will recognize that smart land-use is one of the most powerful and cost-effective tools for addressing our housing challenges, mitigating climate effects, building community resilience, and improving human and environmental health.

Shouldn’t municipal, county and state governments be on the same page? Rethinking Delaware believes they should. Rethinking Delaware is an informal coalition of former state officials and nonprofit, non-governmental organizations that believe government at all levels, led by the State, should encourage development of compact, mixed-use, walkable, transit-supportive communities as a central part of the state’s housing, transportation, health, environmental and climate priorities. Our recommendations to the new administration include:

• Review and amend all state and local land-use and infrastructure policies and funding for transportation, schools, and water and sewer systems that impede development of compact, walkable communities.
• In support of more compact development patterns, shift transportation investment to accommodate walking, biking and a new suite of transit services.
• Re-orient all comprehensive plans and zoning laws to prioritize mixed-use neighborhoods with places to live, work, shop, learn and play, while increasing the supply and diversity of housing and transportation options.
• Establish state and/or county task forces to develop innovative proposals for specific areas that address the collective challenges of housing and transportation costs, our changing demographics and health challenges, and climate-related threats — all in ways that incorporate a sustainable economic strategy for the future.

Imagine what could be: Walk the kids to school or the bus stop, then walk to the local café for a coffee on the way to the co-op workspace or transit stop. It’s right near the grocer, pharmacy and cleaners. On the weekends, hike or bike the beautiful green trails around the neighborhood — the same trails others use to cycle to work. Walk or bike to the park and ball fields, the farm stand, to restaurant night.

The result: more physical activity that lowers health risks, which eases the cost of healthcare; better air and fewer respiratory ailments, which also eases healthcare costs; less valuable time spent in traffic; lower transportation costs (which translates to more discretionary spending for our households), more necessities readily available to seniors and stronger communities; a more resilient environment.

That’s a better Delaware for everyone. If you agree, reach out to your town council, county council representatives, state legislators and the governor-elect to urge action. Reach us at rethinkingdelaware@gmail.com.

Rethinking Delaware is an informal coalition of former cabinet secretaries and state officials including Anne Canby, Rita Landgraf, Christophe Tulou, Joseph Pika, Mark Chura, and Charles Salkin; New Castle County Council representative Dee Durham; and nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations including Delaware Chapter of the Sierra Club, Delaware Nature Society, Healthy Communities Delaware, Housing Alliance of Delaware and The Nature Conservancy in Delaware.

The post Alliance forms with plan of ‘Rethinking Delaware’ appeared first on Delaware Nature Society.

Delaware confronts a collection of related crises: a shortage of affordable housing; a surge in unhealthy medical conditions; erosion of environmental resilience; and rising air and water pollution. While none of these have simple causes or solutions, public decisions over the past several decades have exacerbated them.

Delaware’s sprawling development patterns force us to drive — to school, to work, to the store, to the fitness center and elsewhere — and often at considerable distances. Decades of piecemeal land-use decisions have made us totally dependent on our personal motor vehicles.

That dependence has cost us a great deal. It has compromised our health, created a shortage of diverse and affordable housing, gobbled up open space, farmland, forests and wetlands, increased pollution, escalated the public costs of infrastructure and services, driven climate change and eroded the sense of place and quality of life that makes strong communities.

Consider Delaware’s elevated incidences of obesity, diabetes and heart disease, due partly to our sedentary lifestyle; the increase in pediatric asthma due partly to local air pollution; and the high cost of healthcare associated with all those conditions.

Consider, too, increased air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from traffic, the high cost of transportation as a percentage of household income, high rents and the continued building of homes at prices out of reach for too many Delawareans.

Our development patterns also compound the mobility and housing challenges faced by our large and growing older population, including the ability to age in place, which has downstream impacts on healthcare costs for state Medicaid and retiree programs and services.

All of these conditions hit our most vulnerable neighbors hardest. Their health is worse than the population overall, flooding of their neighborhoods is routine and more consequential, their housing options are more limited, and they are cut off from valuable resources and economic opportunities.

What’s more, the loss of open space from new development has greatly diminished the land’s ability to absorb storm water, which has increased flooding during major weather events and extreme high tides, compromising our already compromised climate resilience and increasing the need for expensive infrastructure improvements.

And with every traffic study aimed at accommodating more cars and with every zoning change we approve — every subdivision, strip center or office park — we make the challenges harder to address.

Delaware must reform land-use strategies

Yet there is a simple solution: Address the challenges together by reforming our land-use strategies. In a nutshell, spur development where it makes real sense and discourage development where it causes the most damage.

The time has come. In Delaware, 60 government entities make land-use decisions under a structure designed when our state was 60% less populated and confronted fewer critical challenges. There is little coordination between those entities and there are no penalties for deviating from state planning guidance or county comprehensive plans.

We hope the incoming administration will recognize that smart land use is one of the most powerful and cost-effective tools for addressing our housing challenges, mitigating climate effects, building community resilience and improving human and environmental health.

Shouldn’t municipal, county and state governments be on the same page? Rethinking Delaware believes they should. Rethinking Delaware is an informal coalition of former state officials and nonprofit, non-governmental organizations that believe government at all levels, led by the state, should encourage development of compact, mixed-use, walkable, transit-supportive communities as a central part of the state’s housing, transportation, health, environmental and climate priorities. Our recommendations to the new administration include:

• Review and amend all state and local land-use and infrastructure policies and funding for transportation, schools, and water and sewer systems that impede development of compact, walkable communities.
• In support of more compact development patterns, shift transportation investment to accommodate walking, biking and a new suite of transit services.
• Re-orient all comprehensive plans and zoning laws to prioritize mixed-use neighborhoods with places to live, work, shop, learn, and play while increasing the supply and diversity of housing and transportation options.
• Establish state- and/or county task forces to develop innovative proposals for specific areas that address the collective challenges of housing and transportation costs, our changing demographics and health challenges, and climate-related threats, all in ways that incorporate a sustainable economic strategy for the future.

Imagine what could be. Walk the kids to school or the bus stop, then walk to the local café for a coffee on the way to the co-op workspace or transit stop. It’s right near the grocer, pharmacy and cleaners. On the weekends, hike or bike the beautiful green trails around the neighborhood—the same trails others use to cycle to work. Walk or bike to the park and ball fields, the farm stand, to restaurant night.

The result: more physical activity that lowers health risks, which eases the cost of healthcare; better air and fewer respiratory ailments, which also eases healthcare costs; less valuable time spent in traffic; lower transportation costs (which translates to more discretionary spending for our households), more necessities readily available to seniors, and stronger communities; a more resilient environment.

That’s a better Delaware for everyone. If you agree, reach out to your town council, county council representatives and state legislators and the governor-elect to urge action. Reach us at rethinkingdelaware@gmail.com.

Rethinking Delaware is an informal coalition of former cabinet secretaries and state officials including Anne Canby, Rita Landgraf, Christophe Tulou, Joseph Pika, Mark Chura, and Charles Salkin; New Castle County Council representative Dee Durham; and nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations including Delaware Chapter of the Sierra Club, Delaware Nature Society, Healthy Communities Delaware, Housing Alliance of Delaware and The Nature Conservancy in Delaware.

The post Opinion: We have to do better in Delaware. We have to embrace smart development. appeared first on Delaware Nature Society.

The Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and its Small Business Alliance (SBA) are pleased to announce this year’s Superstars in Business award winners: Delaware Nature Society, Courageous Hearts, RiversEdge Advisors, and Surf Bagel. The honorees will be recognized at an awards ceremony on November 6, 2024.

The Marvin S. Gilman Superstars in Business awards program is named for one of Delaware’s most distinguished small business leaders—Marvin Gilman—who displayed the highest ethical standards, found innovative ways to improve the world around him, and inspired others to follow in his footsteps.

Since 1998, the program has honored small businesses and nonprofit organizations for their outstanding achievements and model approaches to business and management. The awards are presented to companies that have been in business for at least three years and are small businesses based on the number of full-time employees. Awards of Excellence are also granted to deserving companies.

Congratulations to the 2024 Superstars in Business winners:

Delaware Nature Society (Nonprofit Category)
Since its founding in 1964, Delaware Nature Society (DelNature) has worked continuously to connect Delawareans and nearby residents to the natural world, to conserve the state’s lands and waters, and to improve the environment for all. A regional leader in environmental education, conservation, and advocacy, DelNature manages more than 2,000 acres of land across the First State.

Courageous Hearts LLC (1-14 Employee Category)
With three locations in Lincoln, Bridgeville, and Townsend, Delaware, Courageous Hearts combines the healing power of horses with high-quality psychotherapy services and professional development opportunities to individuals, families, groups, businesses, and corporations. Sessions include a mental health clinician and a skilled equine professional who lead participants through experiential learning.

RiversEdge Advisors (15-40 Employee Category)
RiversEdge Advisors is a registered investment advisor and business advisory firm with a commitment to the highest fiduciary standard. The firm offers tax planning, estate planning, business planning, and corporate retirement services to high-net-worth individuals, business leaders, and corporate retirement plan sponsors. 

Surf Bagel (41-150 Employee Category)
Surf Bagel is a quick-service restaurant that serves breakfast and lunch and specializes in freshly made New York-style bagels. Since the opening of the flagship location in Lewes, Delaware, 20 years ago, the restaurant has expanded to its current four locations and an iconic brand in Southern Delaware.

Award of Excellence recipients include:

Down Syndrome Association of Delaware (Nonprofit Category)
Jack Lingo Asset Management (1-14 Employee Category)
Tevebaugh Architecture (15-40 Employee Category)
Boulden Brothers (41-150 Employee Category)

Awards Ceremony Information:

Wednesday, November 6, 2024
HOTEL DU PONT’s Gold Ballroom, Wilmington

Keynote speaker: Michael Meoli, President and Owner/Operator, The Meoli Companies
Michael Meoli owns and operates 25 McDonald’s restaurants across the Delmarva Peninsula in Delaware and Maryland. His restaurants are consistently recognized for their outstanding achievements in customer satisfaction, superb operations, and employee and management development. He has received numerous recognitions within the McDonald’s system, including two regional Ronald Awards as well as McDonald’s Corporation’s most prestigious owner/operator award—the Golden Arch Award—which recognizes the outstanding achievements of the top 1% of owner/operators worldwide.

For more information, contact Kerri Welcher at kwelcher@dscc.com, or visit www.dscc.com/superstarsinbusiness.

– By Delaware State Chamber of Commerce.

The post 2024 Superstars in Business Winners Announced appeared first on Delaware Nature Society.

Delaware is experiencing a drought, with the entire state classified in severe drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Gov. John Carney declared a drought watch on Oct. 25 encouraging residents to voluntarily reduce their outdoor water usage. As autumn sets in, most plants in the region stop growing in preparation for winter dormancy. Despite this, some homeowners may still feel compelled to keep watering their lawns and using synthetic fertilizers and chemical pesticides to maintain a lush appearance.

Environmental experts advocate for a shift toward sustainable landscaping, emphasizing the benefits of native plants as an alternative to traditional grass lawns.

They say regionally native plants not only support local wildlife but also create a healthier environment for residents and their communities.

Native plants can save water and be beautiful

Although many native plants are excellent for their drought resistance, some homeowners may have concerns about the diversity of native plant species, their availability and the aesthetics of their landscaping.

Kerry Wilson, habitat outreach manager for the Delaware Nature Society, assures homeowners that regionally native plants can still offer an attractive, organized landscape.

“There is a native plant suitable for everyone,” Wilson said, suggesting options like black-eyed Susans that offer an appealing appearance while providing environmental benefits.

Many native plants offer showy flowers, produce colorful fruits and seeds, and offer brilliant seasonal changes in vibrant colors during early spring, the heat of summer and the cool of autumn.

Experts advise fall is the best season to establish native trees, shrubs and perennials, giving them time to develop strong root systems before the next summer’s heat.

Federal resources and local municipalities in New Castle, Kent and Sussex counties offer detailed information and guidance to help determine which native trees and plants would thrive best in Delaware’s diverse natural environment.

Benefits of native plants and trees

Native plants are better adapted to local conditions, requiring minimal watering and pesticides. They support local wildlife, including native insects and birds, and contribute to biodiversity. Additional benefits include:

• Low maintenance, once established
• Minimal water and pesticide needs
• Promotion of biodiversity and stewardship of the natural environment
• Reduced carbon emissions from lawn care and increased capture of carbon dioxide by trees like oaks and maples

To help residents identify whether plants and trees in their yards are native to the region, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and Division of Fish and Wildlife offers a list of 795 species and varieties of non-native plants that can be found in Delaware.

Caring for lawns during drought

For those not ready to switch entirely to native landscaping, Delaware Livable Lawns offers drought-conscious lawn care tips:

• Wait until the soil is dried out before watering.
• Water every 7-10 days.
• Water slowly over 2-4 hours to avoid runoff.
• Ensure water penetrates 4-6 inches into the soil.
• Use timers on sprinklers to prevent over-watering.

For residents interested in transitioning to sustainable, drought-tolerant landscapes, the Delaware Department of Agriculture offers a list of nurseries providing native plants.

– By DelawareOnline. You can contact Anitra Johnson at ajohnson@delawareonline.com.

The post Why Using Delaware’s Native Plants During Drought may be the Natural Choice appeared first on Delaware Nature Society.