DNREC Wetland Monitoring and Assessment Program

Uncover the hidden world beneath the surface. The mushrooms you see are just the beginning of a complex network thriving underground. Wetland fungi boast unique adaptations to flourish in humid, low-oxygen and acidic environments. From aquatic spore dispersal to unique enzymes and plant partnerships, they're masters of survival. During a rainy adventure in a forested freshwater wetland, we stumbled upon these fragile fungi gems.

Have you ever heard of a runnel? With our salt marshes facing challenges from sea level rise and human activities, ponds or standing pools of water are submerging these areas, gradually destroying tidal wetlands. Runnels offer a solution by channeling excess water into nearby natural channels or old grid ditches (once used for mosquito control).

These shallow, man-made channels, typically no more than 12 inches deep, are designed to redirect excess wetland water to other areas. This technique not only restores tidal hydrology but also encourages vegetation regrowth in the wetland. A thriving wetland is a healthy one - more vegetation enhances the ecosystem's ability to provide services for both humans and nature.

Earlier this year, we teamed up with our U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Delaware Bay Coastal Program to hand-dig runnels for one of their projects at the Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. We’re excited to see the future applications of runnels!

Just your typical nekton survey view. Don't worry, the water was warm and the fish made it home safely.

Exciting News 📢
Check out our 2026-2030 Delaware Wetland Program Plan! This comprehensive plans serves as a guide for wetland research, education, management, and conservation in the state over the next five years. Discover how we're prioritizing crucial areas for action to enhance statewide wetland management. Dive into our goals and action items that will shape future projects, boosting Delaware's ability to conserve and enrich our wetland habitats. Join us in our mission to protect these vital resources, improve wetland health, and spread awareness about the incredible value they hold. Let's make a difference together.

https://dnrec.delaware.gov/watershed-stewardship/wetlands/management-plan/

Meet Abby, one of the members of our summer crew! We're thrilled to have her assisting with our vital wetland work. Abby joined Delaware DNREC in the spring as an Aquatic Habitat Monitoring and Restoration Scientist and is diving into efforts to support submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), while lending her skills to the National Aquatic Resource Surveys (NARS). Under these surveys, she will be helping our team during the National Wetland Condition Assessments (NWCA) – exploring habitats, working hard, and getting sweaty!

Hailing from Maryland and growing up by the Chesapeake Bay, Abby's coastal roots sparked her interest for aquatic ecosystems and watershed stewardship early on. Fresh out of the University of Delaware with a B.S. in Environmental Science and minors in Coastal and Marine Geoscience, she's eager to dive deeper into wetland and aquatic habitat conservation right here in Delaware.

The epitome of waterfront living. Meet the muskrat, a savvy rodent architect in wetlands native to Delaware. They build homes by tunneling along the water's edge or building dome lodges right in the marsh. Check out this dome-shaped lodge we stumbled upon made from mud, vegetation and twigs. Once the structure is big enough, they chew a secret underwater entrance for protection from predators. Inside, they create additional chambers for dining, lounging and raising their young. Talk about dedication - these lodges last just 6 months before nature demands a remodel!

A unexpected find. Striped burrfish, typically residing near bay grass beds, are solitary bottom dwellers rarely seen. These fish have few predators, as they can inflate into a spiny ball to ward off threats. Despite reaching only up to 10inches in length, they pack a punch; their sharp spines and strong mouth remind us to handle them with care (hence the net).

We love this content from Gardening Made Simple about wet spots in your yard! If you have a wet area where nothing is growing or want to soak up some soggy soil, consider these water-loving plants to add unique habitat and increase productivity in your own backyard.

Soon to be hopper. At around 14-16 weeks old, frogs and toads go through a complete metamorphosis, starting out as eggs changing shape and form eventually into adult amphibians. At the "froglet" or "toadlet" stage featured here, first the tadpoles develop their back legs and then their front. As skin grows over the gills and the tails shrink into the body, they quickly turn into adults to head out of their nursery areas. Once they reach maturity, frogs and toads will return to the waters to reproduce so their spawn can go through the stages of metamorphosis as they did.

Happy Endangered Species Day. The Eastern tiger salamander is one of Delmarva's rarest amphibians and are one of the first species to come out of winter brumation (aka hibernation for cold-blooded species). Their internal clock is motivated by warm rain in late winter to early spring which encourages them to gather in vernal pools, or isolated freshwater wetlands, for breeding and mass egg laying. While in these forested habitats, Delaware DNREC counts and tracks local populations to better understand the status and conservation of this state endangered species. Their number one threat is loss of habitat - as development continues and our climate shifts, we need to keep this critical native species in mind.