By Mike Finney

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is conserving more land through the Open Space Program.

Created in 1990 by the Delaware Land Protection Act, the effort has been a boon for access to and greater appreciation of the state’s natural and cultural resources.

Since 2022, 597 acres has been added to the nearly 45,000 acres the department had acquired earlier via state, federal and partner funds.

“The Delaware Open Space Program supports our conservation work with funding and donations to help us fill in crucial gaps with easements and acquisitions — one piece at a time — between protected properties,” said Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “These properties may be as small as an acre or a hundred times that size but serve the same purpose: connecting Delaware’s protected lands, wetlands and waterways, which often may be vital habitat for our state’s threatened or endangered species.

“These lands also support active outdoor recreation, from hunting and fishing to birdwatching and hiking trails.”

Over the last year, the Division of Parks and Recreation added seven properties or approximately 254 acres:

• Jaggers Conservation Easement, Laurel — About 9 acres of wooded land adjoining the James Branch Nature Preserve and adjacent to Trap Pond State Park is included in the February 2022 easement. The property expands the protected lands in the James Branch watershed and preserves its scenic values.
• Rocky Run Ventures LLC property, New Castle — Two acres purchased in May 2022, expanding Brandywine Creek State Park and protecting forested lands.
• Lenape Conservation Easement, Dover — A conservation easement on 11 acres was donated in June 2022 by The Conservation Fund. The easement protects land adjacent to Fork Branch Preserve. In addition, the fund donated the ownership rights to the Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware, which has been stewarding the lands and removing invasive species.
• Ward Property, Laurel — Thirty-nine acres purchased in July 2022 to expand Trap Pond State Park and protect land adjacent to the James Branch Nature Preserve. With this property saved from development, there will be no threat of failing wastewater treatment systems discharging into Pepper Branch.
• Greenly Property, Felton — Ninety-eight acres purchased in February to expand Killens Pond State Park and protect the corridor between Killens Pond and Browns Branch. Forested wetlands on this site provide habitat for the federally listed endangered plant species swamp pink.
• Custodial resolution with DelDOT, Dover — Ten acres of wetlands transferred from the Transportation Department in March to expand Fork Branch Nature Preserve.
• Jestice Property, Laurel — Trap Pond State Park was expanded in March through the purchase of 85 acres of agricultural and forested land. Protecting these wetlands that flow downstream into the James Branch Nature Preserve aids healthy water quality.

The Division of Fish and Wildlife also added six properties, approximately 343 acres, to improve access, protect sensitive areas and expand and connect wildlife locations:

• Meyer Property, near Dover — One hundred fifty-five acres purchased in May 2022 to expand and ease access to the Blackiston Wildlife Area.
• Cataldi Property, near Smyrna — One hundred sixty-six acres purchased in August 2022 to expand the Tony Florio Woodland Beach Wildlife Area. The forested spot includes tidal wetlands and freshwater ponds that will be maintained.
• Fortney Property, Hartly — Four acres purchased in September 2022 to expand the Tappahanna Wildlife Area and provide increased access to state-owned lands.
• Duffy Property, Townsend — Four acres purchased in October 2022 to grow and connect two tracts of the Eagles Nest Wildlife Area and protect forested wetlands.
• Shockley Property, Frankford — Thirteen acres acquired via donation in December 2022 to expand the Assawoman Bay State Wildlife Area and protect tidal marsh in the bay.
• Ewing Property, near Smyrna — One acre purchased in February to give the state ownership of an access road and frontage on the north side of Garrisons Lake, for which DNREC previously only held an access easement.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is one of several agencies in the Delaware Open Space Program, which also includes the Forest Service and the Division of Historical & Cultural Affairs. More information is available at de.gov/openspace.