DOVER — Sledding, snowboarding and other recreational activities are not allowed on Delaware’s sand dunes, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control reminds as the first snow of the season covered downstate Delaware Monday.

Dunes contain fragile wildlife habitat and provide protection for the beaches and the communities they border, officials said in a news release.

In addition to asking the public to help protect the dunes, the DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation also advises that, except for at marked crossings, pedestrian traffic and recreation activities are prohibited on dunes in Cape Henlopen and Delaware Seashore state parks.