Category: Coast

BEACH GRASS PLANTING SIGN-UPS

2/1/2014

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED TO HELP REPLENISH THE ATLANTIC OCEAN SAND DUNES WITH BEACH GRASSES

NEW BEACH GRASS FOR ATLANTIC OCEAN SAND DUNES

Have you ever volunteered to replenish the beach grasses along the Atlanctic Ocean coastline in Delaware? It is one of the most fun-filled days of activity that I have at the beach. The young grasses are provided to the volunteers, a brief planting lesson is given, and small groups of volunteers are assigned to different areas of the sand dunes to begin planting the new beach grasses. What a great way to help the environment, soak in some early spring sun, and make new friends, too!

Here is a letter from Jennifer Luoma, from DNREC, explaining the volunteer program. I hope you can all join in this year!

An Open Letter from Jennifer Luoma (DNREC)
Jennifer.Luoma@state.de.us:

"Hello! Even though it is only January, we are planning the 25th Annual Beach Grass Planting. Our efforts this year will be focused on the newly reconstructed dunes north of the Indian River Inlet in Delaware Seashore State Park.

"Each March since 1990, many dedicated volunteers have helped to build and protect Delaware’s sand dunes by planting Cape American beach grass on Delaware’s ocean and Delaware Bay beaches. Their efforts have been very successful in helping to re-establish the vegetation along our coastline. Beach nourishment that took place as a result of Hurricane Sandy has rebuilt the dunes north of the Indian River Inlet to protect Route 1. Our plan is to plant beach grass in that area, so the dunes may start to stabilize and build again.

"The 2014 Beach Grass Planting will be from 9 AM to 12 noon on Saturday, March 22, 2014. If you and your family and friends are able to volunteer, please register online at:

http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/swc/Shoreline/Pages/BeachGrassPlanting.aspx

"Please note, that we are focusing all efforts on the area north of Indian River Inlet. In years past we have been able to give volunteers choices as to what areas to plant, but this year we do not have that to offer. If you register, you will be assigned to the north side of the Indian River Inlet in Delaware Seashore State Park.

"If you do not wish to register on-line or have any questions about the planting, please give me a call at (302) 739-9921 or send me e-mail at Jennifer.Luoma@state.de.us.

"Thank you for volunteering!"

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"Building Resilient Coastal Communities" Is Coast Day 2013's Theme

10/3/2013

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Coast Day 2013 Is This Sunday, October 6, in Lewes, Delaware!

Celebrate the Beautiful Delaware Coast!

Coast Day 2013 Announcement From The University of Delaware:

"The University of Delaware's festive Coast Day returns for the 37th year on Sunday, Oct. 6 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Our theme this year is "Building Resilient Coastal Communities." Throughout the event, UD scientists, staff, and students are highlighting some of the many ways we are working to maintain a healthy environment and ensure that society continues to benefit from the coast. Anyone curious about the wonders of the sea can visit the Hugh R. Sharp Campus in Lewes, Del. on Coast Day to learn about the state's rich marine resources."

"Coast Day will highlight how UD scientists, staff, and students are improving understanding of ocean environments and serving coastal communities. Coast Day attendees can interact with researchers, tour ships, try hands-on activities, and attend presentations on a range of topics."

"Family-friendly activities include an event-wide treasure hunt for answers to questions about the environment and Coast Day exhibits. Children can meet sea-dwelling animals such as horseshoe crabs and dogfish sharks at the critter touch tanks. Everyone can enjoy live music, vendor displays, and seafood favorites showcased by local chefs at the Crab Cake Cook-Off and the Seafood Chowder Challenge."

"Coast Day is sponsored by UD’s College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment and the Delaware Sea Grant College Program."

"Admission and parking are free!"

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Prime Hook Beach and Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge

6/2/2012

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Prime Hook Beach, A Delaware Bay Beach Near Prime Hook Wildlife Refuge, Is Now Threatened by Rising Water Levels, Salt Water Intrusion & Inaction

Entrance to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge

A few miles east of Milton, Delaware, and 22 miles southeast of Dover, the quiet shores of Prime Hook Beach can be reached via Prime Hook Road, a left turn off of Delaware Route 1 South. The beach area is not easily accessible to the public, but there are a few unmarked entrances over dunes that can be traversed. Parking is a problem because of the frequent posting of No Parking signs, and there is no parking lot available for visitors.

Directly behind the community of homes lining the beach is the Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge was created in 1963 by the authority of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act as a sanctuary expressly for migrating birds. It encompasses nearly 10,000 diverse acres of freshwater and saltwater marshes, woodlands, grasslands, bottomland forested habitats, scrub brush zones, farming lands, ponds, and a seven mile long creek. Naturally occurring tidal salt marshes make up 2300 acres of the refuge, and man-made freshwater ponds cover 4000 acres. Administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the freshwater impoundment systems were built in the 1980's to provide refuge officials the means to raise and lower water levels in the ponds to accommodate the needs of migratory birds during different seasons of the year. The ponds provided habitat for wintering waterfowl, places to feed for spring and fall migratory shorebirds, and nesting areas for wading birds in the summer.

And therein lies the rub. Having provided beautiful habitat for bird watching and wildlife viewing, the refuge created the perfect conditions for housing development along the bay coast: water views both east and west of established residences and newly built homes. But in 2006, Hurricane Ernesto breached the dunes and caused an influx of sediment and saltwater behind some homes. Viewed as a natural process, the breach was not repaired. In 2009 and 2010 the dune line was again overwashed, pouring more saltwater into the freshwater ponds, killing most of the vegetation, and again flooding the area. In 2011 the dunes were rebuilt, but destroyed within a week by another storm. Valuable time for action has been delayed by lawsuits and agencies debating how to resolve the issues, one of which is how to protect the homes already in the community.

Prime Hook Road entrance to Prime Hook Beach

Prime Hook Road Surrounded By Saltwater Infused Ponds

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has developed three proposals to resolve this problem, but homeowners are concerned about the outcomes:

1. Option 1: Take no action.
2. Option 2: Actively manage the refuge to mimic natural processes (FWS' preference).
3. Option 3: Reinstate cooperative farming in the refuge, manage both saltwater and freshwater habitats, and rebuild infrastructure and the dunes along the Delaware Bayshore.

For more information about Prime Hook Beach and the Prime Hook National Wildlife Preserve, go to www.fws.gov/northeast/primehook

Wading Shorebirds' Habitat at the Refuge

Two Wading Shorebirds Perched on Tree Branches

Prime Hook Beach

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On Memorial Day

5/26/2012

6 Comments

A Salute from the Shore to All Veterans and Present Armed Forces Personnel:

You Have Made All of Our Beaches and Our Entire Homeland Safe Because of Your Bravery, Good Will, and Heroic Patriotism. Thank You Forever!

From the West Coast to the East Coast, we enjoy the beauty of our beaches thanks to the national safety provided by our Armed Forces.

In the middle of all the excitement of a Memorial Day Parade, or on the outer edges of a beach full of multi-colored beach umbrellas, or sitting in front row seats watching bright fireworks fragment in the night air, we sometimes forget what Memorial Day is all about.

Memorial Day is a time of remembering, a time of thankful praise for a courageous job well done, and a time to offer prayers for the well-being of all military families.

We truly live in the home of the brave, and America's service personnel and their families deserve the best of everything. On this Memorial Day and every day, remember to say, "Thank you for your service" or "Thank you for protecting my family and me" whenever you meet someone in uniform. Just as important are the kind words, smiles, and help that you offer to all the military families that you meet as you thank them for their sacrifice for us.

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Migratory Birds Flock Along the Delaware Coast Every Winter

2/11/2012

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Wildlife Refuges Along the Delaware Coast

Superflocks of Migratory Birds Fly in Synchrony Along the Delaware Coast

The coastal areas of the Delaware Bay and the Delaware Atlantic Seashore are excellent birding spots. Birdwatchers from around the nation migrate along with the migratory birds to watch the amazing flight patterns of synchronous flocking. It is in these very large groupings of birds that birdwatchers get a chance to spot the unusual species that often elude them at other times of the year.

What are superflocks? According to the Public Broadcasting Service's website (www.pbs.org), superflocks are composed of thousands of birds of one species or several compatible species who fly together in synchronous patterns for the protection of the flock, to search for food, to seek warmth, or because of kinship. The synchronous patterns result from instinctive rules about flight: Stay a precise distance away from the surrounding neighbors and stay aligned with the nearest neighbors during flight. To view a superflock taking off or landing, or performing an amazing oblique turn without a single collision, is an awesome sight.

Delaware's two national wildlife preserves, Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, east of Milton, DE, and Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, east of Smyrna, DE, provide some of the best birding habitat along the East Coast. During January, February, and March, superflocks of Canadian geese, snow geese, tundra swans, blackbirds, red-winged blackbirds, grackles, and starlings converge on the marshes, farm fields, area parks, and residents' yards.

Watching the synchronous landing of a superflock of blackbirds into a nearby marsh, only to discover that every one of them are suddenly hidden from sight, humbles the best of the veteran East Coast birdwatchers.

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BEACH GRASS PLANTING SIGN-UPS

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED TO HELP REPLENISH THE ATLANTIC OCEAN SAND DUNES WITH BEACH GRASSES

"Building Resilient Coastal Communities" Is Coast Day 2013's Theme

Coast Day 2013 Is This Sunday, October 6, in Lewes, Delaware!

Prime Hook Beach and Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge

Prime Hook Beach, A Delaware Bay Beach Near Prime Hook Wildlife Refuge, Is Now Threatened by Rising Water Levels, Salt Water Intrusion & Inaction

On Memorial Day

A Salute from the Shore to All Veterans and Present Armed Forces Personnel:

You Have Made All of Our Beaches and Our Entire Homeland Safe Because of Your Bravery, Good Will, and Heroic Patriotism. Thank You Forever!

Migratory Birds Flock Along the Delaware Coast Every Winter

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BEACH GRASS PLANTING SIGN-UPS

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED TO HELP REPLENISH THE ATLANTIC OCEAN SAND DUNES WITH BEACH GRASSES

"Building Resilient Coastal Communities" Is Coast Day 2013's Theme

Coast Day 2013 Is This Sunday, October 6, in Lewes, Delaware!

Prime Hook Beach and Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge

Prime Hook Beach, A Delaware Bay Beach Near Prime Hook Wildlife Refuge, Is Now Threatened by Rising Water Levels, Salt Water Intrusion & Inaction

On Memorial Day

A Salute from the Shore to All Veterans and Present Armed Forces Personnel:You Have Made All of Our Beaches and Our Entire Homeland Safe Because of Your Bravery, Good Will, and Heroic Patriotism. Thank You Forever!

Migratory Birds Flock Along the Delaware Coast Every Winter

Author

Archives

Categories

A Salute from the Shore to All Veterans and Present Armed Forces Personnel:

You Have Made All of Our Beaches and Our Entire Homeland Safe Because of Your Bravery, Good Will, and Heroic Patriotism. Thank You Forever!