Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control

Looking to connect with us and stay informed about our news, meetings, events, programs and services? Subscribe to receive our monthly digital newsletter! https://lnkd.in/eSfY2rGW You can expect: - News - Events and meetings - Job openings - Articles from Outdoor Delaware - Stunning photography and more!

Thank you to Ana Golia, our incredible summer intern, for all her excellent work during her time at the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. Ana joined our Public Affairs team after earning her bachelor's degree from the University of Delaware in May. (Go Blue Hens!) Her environmental communication professor (h/t Carolyn White Bartoo, APR) encouraged her to apply. We're so glad she did! During Ana's internship, she helped us create engaging content for our digital newsletter, online magazine, social media, website and more. She helped coordinate events to celebrate a new outdoor classroom in Wilmington, the installation of life rings at Woodland Beach and young environmentalists throughout the state. She staffed the Delaware State Fair and helped plan our annual Coastal Cleanup. She did it all with so much joy too! We wrapped up her last day with a fun visit to the scenic Blackbird Creek Reserve in Townsend. Though Ana is heading back to New England, we'll miss her in Delaware. Ana, we can't wait to hear what you'll do next!

In recent years, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, better known as PFAS and sometimes referred to as “forever chemicals,” have entered the public consciousness as scientists have come to realize how prevalent these substances are in our water, soil, food and bodies. DNREC has stepped up to the plate to help develop solutions to the problem, and in 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency unveiled the first official limits for PFAS, as low as four parts per trillion for certain substances. But how can policymakers even know if something is present in such a small amount? After all, four parts per trillion is literally 0.0000000004% — a total that can seem almost impossibly infinitesimal. That’s where DNREC’s Environmental Laboratory comes in. The team of about two dozen scientific, technical and support staff play a vital role in supporting DNREC by collecting and testing water samples for various contaminants, and their work helps inform the decisions of policymakers as they confront modern environmental and public health challenges. Laboratory staff look for various contaminants in samples collected, which can include nitrogen, phosphorus, heavy metals or bacteria. Their work helps detect potential pollution concerns for both humans and the environment and is of course vital as Delaware continues to respond to the growing issue related to PFAS and other emerging contaminants. Currently, Main is working on environmental DNA, which is DNA that can be found in the natural environment from skin cells, feces and other environmental sources and can be used for the detection of rare and invasive species. Read more on our new Outdoor Delaware article, "Inside the DNREC Environmental Laboratory Responsible for Testing for Forever Chemicals and Other Contaminants". https://lnkd.in/ep54FW2k

Anyone who’s experienced the frustration of being continually bitten by mosquitoes would probably vouch for why mosquito control is necessary, but even if it’s not immediately obvious, the practice has important benefits. Not only does having fewer mosquitoes enhance quality of life, it lowers the risk of the insects transmitting diseases to humans such as West Nile virus. We recently spoke with Thomas Moran, our Program Manager for Mosquito Control, to gain insights into the importance and challenges of mosquito control in Delaware. Mosquito Control also has an important economic component by enabling beach tourism, as pioneered by New Jersey in the early 1900s. New Jersey needed a way to protect people from the biting mosquitoes that came from the salt marshes prevalent along the state’s coast. Thus, mosquito control was born. It wasn’t until after World War II that modern mosquito control really came into being, the result of advancements in insecticide and aerial spraying technology and better scientific understanding of mosquito biology. Suburbs started growing in the 1950s in areas previously dominated by farmland, wetlands and other natural spaces, and the residents of these new communities came to learn what many farmers already knew: mosquitoes can be a real nuisance. Out of a desire to eradicate malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases of the time and to keep citizens free from biting insects, Delaware law granted Mosquito Control broad authority to spray public and private property as the need requires. Although preventing disease remains important, mosquito control today is largely nuisance-driven. While there probably isn’t a soul in Delaware who is happy to see mosquitoes, residents should keep in mind Mosquito Control cannot work magic. Demand outpaces what the Section can supply at times, and the experts must take into account things like weather conditions. It’s a careful balancing act between controlling mosquito populations and protecting human health and also being mindful of other wildlife and natural habitats. Read more on our Outdoor Delaware article: https://lnkd.in/ef-Pmx4d

We welcomed three new officers to our Delaware Natural Resources Police last week! Please join us in congratulating Officers Patrick Steffey, Erik Wright, and Matthew Danz on their completion of the Delaware State Police Training Academy - 102nd Delaware State Police and 98th Municipal Recruit Class. All three officers received awards for excellence in the academy. ?? Officer Steffey was awarded the Outstanding Proficiency in Firearms Award. ?? Officer Wright was awarded the Attorney Generals Award for Legal Excellence. ?? Officer Danz was awarded the Delaware Association of Police Chiefs award. All three Officers were sworn in by Delaware DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin last Thursday and are ready to begin their 12 week field training program!

We're hiring! Join our Division of Watershed Stewardship as a conservation technician or an engineering/planning/surveying technician! Conservation Technician I - Waterway Management: This position will help in shoreline restoration projects, storm cleanup events, public outreach events and large marine debris removal projects. This position will be expected to do basic marine watercraft maintenance tasks. This position will work on boats and around water. https://lnkd.in/eGRscFHk Engineering/Planning/Surveying Technician V-Stormwater Construct: This position is responsible for management of the Construction Section in the Sediment and Stormwater Program (SSP). This includes providing oversight of construction review staff and all aspects of construction and maintenance reviews of state and federal projects and post-construction stormwater facilities in Delaware; supporting delegated agency-related activities; and providing technical support and/or outreach to the regulated community, delegated agencies, local and state agencies, and the general public. https://lnkd.in/e3gFqKjd

We're hiring! Join our Division of Air Quality as an engineer or engineer program manager. Engineer I - Transportation Planning: Two positions will be filled under this posting. Both positions will be responsible for promoting air quality and environmental considerations in all transportation planning, decision making and initiatives to bridge the technical gap between the transportation sector, land development and community planning. (Sign-on bonus)* https://lnkd.in/ehtk5sMW Engineer Program Manager I - Permitting and Compliance: We're looking for two Engineer Program Managers, one in Kent County and the other in New Castle County. These positions supervise permitting and compliance work for minor and major air emission sources in the State of Delaware. https://lnkd.in/gyjJWEbB

Join our team! We're hiring - Engineering/Planning/Surveying Technician V-StormWater Construct in our Division of Watershed Stewardship. Visit https://lnkd.in/e3gFqKjd for more information or to apply by 8/26/24.

Semaj Bungy-Carter, an environmental science major at Delaware State University from New Castle, said his internship with the Division of Watershed Stewardship matched up with his academic pursuits. “I have had the opportunity to travel the state inspecting various sites’ stormwater management structures and apply the knowledge I’ve gained in my studies to help combat severe erosion in my home state,” he said.“ This has been an excellent experience – for showcasing the type of work environment DNREC provides and the different avenues that I can use my degree in.” Learn more about the DNREC internship program at https://lnkd.in/erWWNeQq.

The wide-ranging experience gained from the program has impressed another DNREC intern, Andrew Mikalajczyk, who works for the Division of Water this summer while pursuing an engineering degree at the University of Delaware. “So far, I have been involved in the large systems wastewater program, doing field work checking on the septic system status of mobile home communities, alongside using GIS tools to map the locations of all mobile home communities in Delaware,” he said. “Apart from this, I have also been involved in the Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFOs) program, reviewing permit applications, and reaching out to farmers to ensure they have all of the correct information filed with DNREC. So far, I’ve been very happy with my position at DNREC, as I’ve been given plenty of opportunities to see different paths that I may want to go down for my career, alongside the fact that I’ve greatly enjoyed the field work that has allowed me to explore my home state. I’d highly recommend anyone interested to apply for an internship in the upcoming year.” Learn more about the DNREC internship program at https://lnkd.in/erWWNeQq.