Autumn made an abrupt arrival last week, leaving no doubt that the seasons have changed. Our field work technically runs the length of the Delaware growing season which goes until September 30. So even though kids are back in school and pumpkin spice is around every corner, we're still sweating it out doing wetland monitoring and research. Without fail, our calendars are full right to the end.  Last week I spent Thursday kayaking up the upper reaches of the Pocomoke River seeking a few remaining riverine wetlands to assess. It was a warm day and the paddle was a challenge. Even without the stifling summer humidity I ended the day looking like I had fallen in the river! I went to bed and by Friday morning temperatures had dropped and the brisk wind had me reaching for a fleece!   The close of a summer field season is always bittersweet, as I'm sure many of you feel. Summer staff have packed up and headed back to college. Interesting summer projects are coming to a close. The chatter of breeding birds has shifted into geese honking as they fly overhead. At the same time I enjoy some beautiful signs of the seasons turning. Noticing the Spartina has gone to seed or that the saltwort turned magenta in a tidal marsh. I find it amusing that black gum insists on winning the fall foliage game by being the very first tree to turn red every year. Early fall is a great time to enjoy the outdoors, especially wetlands. Take advantage of the absence of pesky flies and humidity to explore a nearby wooded wetland trail or take a kayak ride up a tidal creek. Then take a break and enjoy reading the latest edition of the Delaware Wetland Connection. In this installment we delve into the artsy side of wetlands, talk tax ditches, spy on wildlife using wetlands, and look at a summary of our status and trends.   Enjoy reading and exploring! Alison Rogerson DNREC's Wetland Monitoring & Assessment Program (WMAP) Hidden gem: Glasswort (Salicornia virginica) showing off its fall colors

Blog Posts Status and Trends: In Summary The Artsy Side of Wetlands Wildlife Cameras as a Wetland Monitoring Tool: Mammals in the Marsh Delaware Tax Ditches: Getting Back to Nature Events Coast Day October 2, 2022 Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Delaware October 7 and 8, 2022 Blackbird Creek Fall Festival October 15, 2022 RAE 2022 Coastal and Estuarine Summit December 4-8, 2022 Links of Interest Wetland Biologist Job Opening Recommendations for Grasses in Delaware Rewetting Dried Wetlands Could Stop 100 Billion Tons of CO2 Emissions Park Score Index: How Cities Use Their Parks and Open Spaces to Meet the Climate Crisis Small Wetlands, Big Benefit: How to Harness Nature to Filter Agriculture Runoff 2021 Nanticoke River Report Card from Nanticoke Watershed Alliance Delaware’s Inland Bays Contribute to State's Economy

Status and Trends: In Summary By Alison Rogerson, Wetland Monitoring and Assessment Program Over the past year plus I’ve written five blogs sharing the results of our 2007-2017 Status and Trends report which reviews many angles of Delaware’s wetlands...Read More

The Artsy Side of Wetlands Olivia Allread, Wetland Monitoring and Assessment Program For many of us about to read this blog post, we may not be artists at heart. In fact, some of us may have not picked up a paint brush or sculpting clay since middle school. Everyone has...Read More

Wildlife Cameras as a Wetland Monitoring Tool: Mammals in the Marsh By Kayla Clauson, DNREC's Watershed Assessment and Management Section Wildlife cameras are a tool that scientists can use to collect wildlife field data. Discussed previously in a past blog post, cameras allow scientists to...Read More

Delaware Tax Ditches: Getting Back to Nature By Ivette Clayton and Brittany Haywood, DNREC’s Tax Ditch Program What is a Tax Ditch? Did you know that there are 234 tax ditch organizations across the state of Delaware? They make up approximately...Read More

We here at DNREC's Wetland Monitoring & Assessment Program are always striving to better understand Delaware's wetland environments and to help educate others about their importance. Here is a list of some of our current projects Completed the assessment of the Pocomoke watershed to rate wetland condition Presented at the National Association of Wetland Managers (NAWM) 2022 Annual State/Tribal/Federal Coordination Meeting Beginning our fall monitoring of the Lewes Ball Field living shoreline project Hosted an August installment of the Delaware Living Shorelines webinar series about living shorelines in Texas Gearing up for the Delaware Association of Realtors 2022 Convention and Expo featuring a Delaware Wetlands, Flood Planning, and Land Usage training Launching a new and improved Living Shoreline Cost-Share Program for homeowners Attended the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays stakeholder meeting for interpretive signage development Began checks at our long-term monitoring sites in the Inland Bays Attending a plethora of environmental outreach and community events this fall season

What's growing in the wetlands? Swamp Dock (Rumex verticillatus) Swamp dock is a native, wetland-loving species that can likely be seen in tidal freshwater and brackish marshes. This broadleaf herbaceous plant displays a fall hue when the fruits on drooping stalks turn a soothing brown shade.

Did you know? Swamp dock is actually in the Buckwheat family (Polygonaceae) with over 1,000 other species, mostly consisting of shrubs and herbs. Discover more in our Delaware Wetland Plant Field Guide!

For more information, please visit the BOW webpage.

Wetland Wonders Workshop at Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Program October 7, 8, and 9 DNREC’s Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) is an educational program offering hands-on workshops to encourage and enhance participation in outdoor activities like hunting and shooting sports, fishing and boating, and non-harvest activities. 2022 is the first year that WMAP will be offering the Wetland Wonders Workshop, a 3.5 hour course all about Delaware's wetlands.

Division Wide: What is Happening Across DNREC

Disc Golf: No Funny Pants Required Free Fly-Fishing Lessons Offered for Anglers DNREC Announces Grants to Support Communities With Pollution Restoration Projects DNREC to Seek Community Water Project Proposals

Coast Day Sunday October 2, 11AM-3PM Coast Day is back! After three years this amazing event will return with talks, exhibitors, and activities for all ages. Learn about coastal, marine, and environmental science with the best experts around. FREE family-friendly event.

Blackbird Creek Fall Fest Saturday October 15, 10AM to 4PM This event fosters environmental stewardship of the by celebrating the richness of estuaries and Delaware’s cultural traditions at the beautiful scenic site at the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve. FREE family-friendly event.

Join our team - we're hiring!

Wetland Biologist Wetland science, research, and collaboration projects - we do it all. Join our team as the Wetland Biologist to study and improve wetlands throughout the state. Details and information on the full-time position here. Position open until filled

First Timers: Paddlefest 2022

WMAP participated in the 6th Annual Paddlefest at Delaware Seashore State Park. Our program was stop number three along a 4.25 mile course that intertwined six different interpretative areas. With over 270 kayaks and SUPs, these paddlers learned about Delaware's wetlands types and critical landowner information while hanging out at the WMAP educational stop. At the end of the route, an afterparty filled with yummy food and local drinks, as well as exhibitors, awaited the participants and general public. We will be back for 2023 for sure!

Kicking Off Fall at the Trap Pond Partners Nature Festival

We went to the first annual Nature Festival at Trap Pond State Park and chatted with over 250 people! Put on by the Trap Pond Partners, this event feature DNREC exhibitors, food and drinks, music, craft vendors, and even kayaking on the pond. Our crew brought a Build-A-Bird activity for kids and families to create their own wetland bird species, as well as educational handouts and giveaways.

Blast from the Past: Scenic Scenes

We just wanted to feature a few simple photos from wetlands over the years. So they say, less is more.

Nanticoke watershed 2006

Choptank River with ice 2018

Sunrise 2013

Delaware Wetlands 302-739-9939 olivia.mcdonald@delaware.gov de.gov/delawarewetlands

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