LEWES — The Point at Cape Henlopen State Park, including a stretch of ocean beach and dunes, and a half mile along the bay shoreline, was closed beginning Wednesday for the benefit of threatened and endangered beachnesters and migratory shorebirds, including red knot, piping plovers, oystercatchers, least terns and other species.

The nesting habitat on the ocean side will reopen Sept. 1. The bayside beach will remain closed until Oct. 1 for use by shorebirds migrating south for the winter.

DNREC’s Divisions of Parks & Recreation, Fish & Wildlife and Watershed Stewardship have been working together since 1990 to implement a management plan to halt the decline of beachnester and migratory shorebird populations. The Point has been closed annually since 1993.

“We appreciate the public’s cooperation in this effort,” said Park Superintendent Paul Faircloth. “DNREC is committed to providing protection for these species, hopefully to prevent them from disappearing in Delaware.”

Earlier this week, the Pinelands Nature Trail at Cape Henlopen State Park reopened following tree maintenance work. The trail closed Feb. 17 when Division of Parks & Recreation staff noticed that trees had fallen – or were leaning over – the trail. Parks staff removed a number of those trees within the trail to ensure public safety.

Most of the trees taken from the trail were in a low-lying area near the trailhead adjacent the Seaside Nature Center Parking area.