Delaware Now Has Its Most Detailed Conservation Map
A statewide map developed by TNC for the Delaware Land Protection Coalition analyzes open space, sea level rise and wildlife habitats.
The Delaware Land Protection Coalition today unveiled the Delaware Conservation Blueprint, a new resource that, for the first time, comprehensively analyzes open space, sea level rise and wildlife habitats across Delaware. The blueprint provides a detailed breakdown of protected lands, conservation opportunity areas, urban areas, farmland and areas facing projected sea level rise by 2050.
The Delaware Conservation Blueprint was developed by The Nature Conservancy for the Delaware Land Protection Coalition (DLPC). Led by the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays, the DLPC is a coalition of conservation-focused organizations committed to increasing the amount of Delaware lands—including natural, cultural, historical and recreational resources—protected via acquisition or conservation easement.
The goal is for the maps to serve as a clear, actionable guide to inform future conservation strategies and funding, to build a coordinated and effective approach to land preservation in Delaware. The analysis prioritizes Delaware’s key habitat types, including beaches, dunes, coastal forests, tidal and freshwater marshes, small rivers and associated forested floodplains and wetlands. It considers factors such as habitat size, connectivity, proximity to protected areas and potential marsh transition zones.
Quote: Lori Brennan
By 2050, nearly half of all protected lands in Delaware are projected to be impacted by sea level rise. This threat and the growing development pressures on these natural areas motivated us to collaborate with our partners to create the state's most comprehensive blueprint for future conservation.
The development of the Blueprint was timed with the inauguration of Delaware’s new governor, Matt Meyer, and the appointment of new leadership at DNREC, with the hope it will help inform the state’s new conservation strategy.
“Conservation in Delaware is not just about protecting open space; it’s essential that the state’s conservation strategy also consider ecological consequences, the specific habitats affected, and the growing pressure of rising sea levels in and around those areas,” said Keith Fisher, Director of Conservation at The Nature Conservancy in Delaware. “The First State needs a cohesive, data-informed conservation vision to safeguard its vital ecosystems and natural resources, and we are pleased that this map can serve as an important planning tool for the work ahead of us all.”
The Center for the Inland Bays staffs the Delaware Land Protection Coalition and has served as a key driver of a statewide vision for conservation work.
“Living in the lowest-lying state in the nation, Delaware’s people and wildlife face unique and growing challenges caused by sinking coastal lands and rising seas,” said Christophe Tulou, Executive Director of the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays. “With this Conservation Blueprint, we can now focus our conservation policies and investments on those places across our state that most need our protection for our and our children’s benefit.”
“The Conservation Blueprint underscores the urgent need for enhanced land and resource protection in Delaware,” added Michelle Koenig, Director of Conservation and Watershed Planning at the Center for the Inland Bays. “As rising sea levels threaten existing conserved areas, securing financial resources is essential to safeguard critical lands for the future. The Delaware Land Protection Coalition is dedicated to collaborating with the state, counties, and municipalities to develop a sustainable funding mechanism to ensure lasting protection.”
DLPC members include: Brandywine Red Clay Alliance, Delaware Center for the Inland Bays, Delaware Nature Society, Delaware Ornithological Society, Delaware Wild Lands, Ducks Unlimited, Kent County Conservancy, Land Trust Alliance, League of Women Voters, Mt. Cuba, Nanticoke River Watershed Conservancy, The Nature Conservancy, Preservation Delaware, Sierra Club, and Sussex County Land Trust.
For more information, visit nature.org/Delaware and nature.org/DEBlueprint.
The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. The Nature Conservancy is working to make a lasting difference around the world in 81 countries and territories (40 by direct conservation impact and 41 through partners) through a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit nature.org or follow @nature_press on X.