Thirteen new properties have been added as protected acreage through the Open Space program. A total of 597 acres is now under conservation statewide – most of this is in Kent and Sussex Counties. DNREC manages 17 state parks, 20 wildlife areas and dozens of public recreation access areas including trails, overlooks, boardwalks, fishing piers and boat ramps. DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation has added about 254 acres including areas of Trap Pond State Park and the James Branch Nature Preserve and Killens Pond State Park. And the Division of Fish and Wildlife added six new properties – about 343 acres – that improve public access, protect sensitive areas and expand and connect existing wildlife areas.
Additional information from DNREC:
Over the last 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 and preserves its scenic, natural and aesthetic values.
- Rocky Run Ventures LLC Property – Two acres in New Castle purchased in May 2022 expanded Brandywine Creek State Park and helped protect forested lands.
- The Lenape Conservation Easement – A conservation easement on 11 acres in Kent County was donated in June 2022 by The Conservation Fund. The easement protects land adjacent to Delaware State Parks’ Fork Branch Nature Preserve. In addition, The Conservation Fund donated the ownership rights to the Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware. The Lenape have been stewarding the lands including the removal of invasive species.
- Ward Property – 39 acres in Sussex County…
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 
