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Stories in Delaware

Delaware Oceans and Coasts

Learn how The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is working with partners in the Bayshore landscape to advance research and policy for coastal resilience.

February 09, 2023

Several birds fly over a body of water as the sun sets, creating a yellow glow.
The Delaware Bay A view of shorebirds enjoying the sunset over the Delaware Bay. © Oya Alatur

Stretching from the mouth of the Delaware River in southern New Castle County to the Atlantic Ocean, the Delaware Bayshore hosts more than 50 miles of tidal shoreline backed by a variety of dunes, tidal salt marshes, freshwater wetlands and maritime forest. These natural areas serve as critical habitat for a number of economically and recreationally important horseshoe crabs, fish species and migratory birds, including the federally threatened red knot, a shorebird that flies 9,300 miles from South America to the Arctic each spring.

A white bird with tall black legs is perched on a piece of driftwood in front of a body of water.
Shorebirds Snowy egrets are one of the many diverse species that call the Delaware coast home. © Tyler Smiley

Marshes and wetlands also provide benefits to farmland, property and inland communities that call the Bayshore home. Healthy coastal marshes protect our coasts during heavy storms—which are becoming more frequent due to climate change—by mitigating inland flooding, which can damage infrastructure, homes and personal property as well as ruin agricultural fields. Marsh vegetation also helps prevent erosion and acts as a natural filter of sediment and nutrient pollution.

With sea level predicted to rise 9-23 inches by 2050 and up to 5 feet by 2100, these highly productive coastal habitats will need to adapt and migrate inland. With proper conservation planning and community-led action, however, the real extent of marsh habitats could increase or even expand.

A map of Delaware, with areas of the coast highlighted in red showing predictions of sea-level rise.
Coastal Inundation Map In Delaware, sea level is predicted to rise 9-23 inches by 2050 and up to 5 feet by 2100. © The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is committed to working with partners throughout the Delaware Bayshore landscape to advance coastal resilience and climate adaptation, including strategies to conserve additional lands, facilitate marsh migration, increase the resiliency of vulnerable human communities and restore critical habitats for our iconic migratory fish, birds and wildlife.

Several horseshoe crabs pile on top of each other on a sandy beach.
Critical Habitat The Delaware coast provides critical habitat to native horseshoe crab populations. © Deb Felmey
A rock wall wraps around a calm body of water along a coast.
The Delaware Coast A view of the Delaware Bay at Bowers Beach, Delaware. © John Hinkson/TNC
Critical Habitat The Delaware coast provides critical habitat to native horseshoe crab populations. © Deb Felmey
The Delaware Coast A view of the Delaware Bay at Bowers Beach, Delaware. © John Hinkson/TNC
A headshot of Will Helt in front of a marsh.
Will Helt TNC Delaware's Director of Oceans and Coasts © Courtesy of Will Helt

Meet our Director of Oceans and Coasts

Q&A with Will Helt

Will Helt joined our Delaware team in July 2022 and brings extensive experience in managing coastal restoration and monitoring projects, from oyster reef creation to green stormwater infrastructure. He will serve as the chapter’s first director of oceans and coasts, focused on implementing science-based strategies to improve the climate resilience of coastal habitats and natural communities along the Delaware Bayshore while incorporating nature-based infrastructure solutions that help human communities adapt to the impacts of sea-level rise and facilitate marsh migration.  

What are The Nature Conservancy's priorities to address climate change?

TNC is working to tackle climate change at two levels, addressing the cause and the impact through mitigation and adaptation. Climate change mitigation is accomplished by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pursuing policies that prioritize clean energy. Our climate adaptation work uses nature as a tool to increase the resilience of critical habitats and communities. There is no one-size-fits-all approach; adaptations must be tailored to the needs of a community and nature. As sea levels rise and storms become more frequent and intense, we aim to ensure important coastal habitats persist and residents are protected from disasters.

How are coastal marshes impacted by sea-level rise, and why is TNC prioritizing them? 

We know that as sea levels rise, freshwater marshes are threatened and saltwater marshes will move inland. TNC's goal is to help facilitate the inland migration of coastal habitats as sea levels rise, because these habitats, such as salt marshes, provide numerous ecosystem services and benefits to human communities, such as water filtration, habitat for important migratory birds and fishes, and protection from storm surge. To accomplish this, we will use a combination of nature-based solutions to address saltwater inundation and conserve adjacent lands.

TNC is working to increase its diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) work. How do you see the connection between DEIJ work and the oceans and coasts program?

Generally, negative environmental impacts disproportionately affect already vulnerable and marginalized populations, and climate change will only exacerbate this disparity. TNC’s work along Delaware’s Bayshore is committed to ensuring socially vulnerable coastal communities’ concerns are equitably heard and to prioritizing nature-based solutions that most benefit these groups

Coastal Resiliency 

TNC is working to identify and prioritize sites where nature-based solutions will enhance coastal resilience in Delaware.

An aerial view of land meeting a body of water.
Milford Neck Preserve An aerial view as seen looking to the north of the Delaware Bay and Big Stone Beach. © John Hinkson/TNC

A 2017 study by TNC estimated the resiliency of more than 10,000 coastal sites from Maine to Virginia. Resilient sites are those that are most likely to continue functioning in the face of sea-level rise. TNC is working to allow at least 50% of all resilient coastal wetlands and maritime forests to shift into new habitats by 2035. We also want to work with at-risk communities along the coast to use new and existing resources to better position themselves for climate impacts.

TNC is working to identify and prioritize sites where nature-based solutions will enhance coastal resilience in Delaware. With support from the Longwood Foundation, TNC will create a Coastal Resiliency Roadmap for Kent and Sussex Counties. The roadmap will build capacity, awareness and support for land protection work, in addition to assembling a coalition of local and regional partners who are committed to scaling up the impact and addressing the needs of underserved communities.

A map of Delaware showing coastal resilient sites in dark green.
Coastal Resilience in Delaware TNC is working to identify and prioritize sites where nature-based solutions will enhance coastal resilience in Delaware. © The Nature Conservancy

The Coastal Resiliency Roadmap will help at-risk communities identify new and existing sources of funding for infrastructure in order to adapt to sea-level rise. Our work will focus on building partnerships with key actors in the coastal space, including but not limited to residents, local policymakers, business leaders, civic groups, homeowners associations, farmers, nonprofit groups and many other stakeholders.

 

Our approach consists of four critical steps:

  1. Identify strategies that will increase the resilience of coastal ecosystems and vulnerable human communities.

  2. Build capacity, awareness and support for nature-based solutions to climate change, including increasing technical support and science-based implementation strategies.

  3. Develop a coalition of partners who are committed to using the plan to guide local and collective resiliency efforts that create a more equitable climate-resilient region.

  4. Lay the groundwork for developing a pipeline of resiliency projects for implementation.

A road with tall grasses on both sides is flooded with water showing a reflection of the setting sun.
Storm Damage Water floods the road at Big Stone Beach, Delaware after a heavy storm. © Deb Felmey
A large brown-and-white bird stands in a marsh, with a smaller gray-and-brown bird at its feet.
Biodiversity Marshes provide necessary habitat and nutrients for many forms of wildlife, including native shorebirds. © Deb Felmey
Storm Damage Water floods the road at Big Stone Beach, Delaware after a heavy storm. © Deb Felmey
Biodiversity Marshes provide necessary habitat and nutrients for many forms of wildlife, including native shorebirds. © Deb Felmey

Policy 

TNC engages at the local, state and federal level to support policies aimed at building climate resilience and supporting sustainable, equitable outcomes for people and nature along the Bayshore.

Several small red-and-brown birds sit in a shallow body of water.
Resting Red Knots A group of native red knots sits at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge. © Deb Felmey

Our 2024 advocacy agenda for coastal ecosystems includes the following:

  1. Support the creation of aggressive climate change policies on the state and local level in Delaware that address rising waters, flooding, carbon capture, green infrastructure and the needs of overburdened populations. Read More

  2. Explore barriers and solutions to increasing federal climate investments in Delaware, including through the landmark Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation and Inflation Reduction Act.

  3. Engage in advocacy for county land use policies that protect our natural resources, reduce flood risk and build a more sustainable future.

  4. Support clean water and freshwater-wetlands-protection legislation at the Delaware General Assembly.

  5. Work with partners like the Delaware Land Protection Coalition to advance a statewide land conservation strategy that protects additional lands, facilitates marsh migration as sea levels rise, has an equity framework and helps protect Delaware’s iconic species. Learn about the Delaware Land Protection Coalition

  6. Participate in Delaware Emergency Management and Delaware Department of Transportation task forces.

Policy Work in Delaware

Read more about TNC’s policy work across the First State

Read More

Our work in Delaware

Dramatic view of the Delaware state capitol building. White clouds hang low over the colonial-style state house that features a tall spire rising above the front entrance.

Delaware Policy & Government Relations

Together we can advocate for and secure a more sustainable future for people and nature in Delaware.

Aerial view looking down on tidal marshlands. Creeks and channels wind through the wetlands. A thin strip of beach provides a buffer from the ocean.

Places We Protect Delaware

With your help, we have protected more than 30,000 acres across Delaware since 1990. TNC manages more than 5,000 acres across six preserves in the First State.

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Volunteer in Delaware

Learn about opportunities to help conserve nature in Delaware.

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