Above photo: Principal Chief Dennis Coker, Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware, talks with DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin during a tour. /DNREC photo.
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is listing properties acquired through the state’s Open Space Program.
Since 2022, DNREC has added 597 acres to the nearly 45,000 acres the department previously acquired through the program with combined 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 DNREC 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.”
DNREC manages 17 state parks, 20 wildlife areas and dozens of public recreation access areas including trails, overlooks, boardwalks, fishing piers and boat ramps.
Over the past year, the DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation added seven new properties in key locations, totaling approximately 254 acres:
- Jaggers Conservation Easement – 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 within the James Branch watershed.
- Rocky Run Ventures LLC Property – Two acres in New Castle purchased in May 2022 expanded Brandywine Creek State Park and protects forest land.
- The Lenape Conservation Easement – A
Cherokee: front row, l to r: Kegan Calhoun, Ayla Fanning, Rufus Morgan, William Shifflett and Lia Miner. Second row: Tyler Friel, Abbilynn Turner, Andrea Alderman, Elizabeth Friel, Kynlee Wilfong, George Shifflett and Berkley Buzzard. Third row: Joseph McClure, Brantley Cox, Max Chamberlain, Makenna Marsh, Jessica Armstrong, Silas Dean, Levi Hill, Ezra Bond, Colton Cassell and Ramona Hardy. 
Delaware: front row, l to r: Isabella McClure, Maggie Wilfong, Aaron MacGregor and Elizabeth McClure. Second row: Eli Beezley, Emma Anderson, Claire Kelk, Hunter Cheek, Haley Spencer, Luke Gainer, TD Sparks, Khloe Gainer and Zara Fanning. Third row: Weston Cassell, Ahna Valach, Eowyn Smith, Abigail Stewart, Fayla Wilfong and Quinn MacGregor. Back row: Abby Bauserman, Quincy Sharp, Carter Faulknier, Luke Taylor, Dallas Sharp, RT Hill and Coleton Taylor. 
Mingo: front row, l to r: Shelldon Maitland, Ace Gregory, Natalie Sisler, Bentlee Gladwell, Canden Lambert and Carmen Warner. Second row: Marcus Bauserman, Riyan Gladwell, Caitlin Mallow, Grace Beverage, Melinda Beverage, Rya Barlow and Mazie Monico. Third row: Kya Arbogast, Cora Baldwin, Morgan Smith, James Monico, Trey Sattler, Noah Dilley, Erin Rider and AJ Bauserman. Back row: Eden Smith, Katelyn Stull, Carly Chamberlain, Morgan Beverage, Ben Workman, Kirsten Friel and Abigail Taylor. 
Seneca: front row, l to r: Parker Burns, Kylor Brock, Brysen Cox, Lane Wilfong, Crickett Gregory, Tyler Faulknier and Gracie Irvine. Second row: Mackenzie White, Victor Dean, Jaryd Wilfong, Hannah Burks, Caleb Ritter, Ava Fields and Riley Hamons. Third row: Richard White, Layla Highland, Hayden Reed, Bobby Lee Gray, Makiya Burns, Emma Sacca, Natalie Irvine, Camden Gregory, Mia Valach, Irelyn Withers, Savana Sharp, Arabella Wade, Grayson Barlow, Jaxon Cassell and Sienna Hamons. 
Big Feet: front row: Tracey Valach,…
The Ontario Court building at 44 Queen Street in Brantford, Ontario. Brian Thompson/Brantford Expositor/Postmedia Network Photo by Brian Thompson /Brian Thompson/The Expositor 
