WANDERING ‘ROUND THE WATERSHED

From time to time, PDE would like to take you Wandering around the Delaware River Watershed to explore the beautiful places you can visit in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.

This issue explores Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Smyrna, Delaware. Bombay Hook was established in 1937 and is a refuge and breeding ground for migrating birds and other wildlife.

On May 31, Bombay Hook opened a new visitor center in honor of U.S. Senator Thomas R. Carper. Senator Carper has been a longtime advocate for the National Estuary Program, Delaware's National Wildlife Refuges, and federal investments in local coastal community conservation and restoration efforts. He is also Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

The new building includes environmentally minded features, such as bird-friendly window treatments, electric vehicle charging stations, solar panels, and other elements that meet the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Silver Certification for sustainable design.

Bombay Hook is located at 2519 Whitehall Neck Road in Smyrna, Delaware. For hours and other visitor information, visit the Bombay Hook website 

STRONG COMMUNITIES: C1.3/ C1.4/ C2.1

Splash Down continued from page 8 freedom to explore on-the-water opportunities in the urban areas of the estuary. There’s significant savings too. We will no longer have to rent a boat or spend time coordinating those rentals. The impact of this boat cannot be understated. The excitement we feel, and opportunities it will unlock, are substantial.”

As a longtime supporter of PDE, Aqua immediately took the chance to help the organization fulfill its mission.

“When few funding sources were available to help purchase a resource that is so integral to the organization’s research and restoration work, we felt we had to step up,” said Aqua’s Lead for Corporate Giving and Community Affairs, Krista Seng, who also serves on PDE’s board. “Our water resources will be better for it, and that is at the heart of what we do.”

If you spot PDE scientists zipping across the waves, they’re probably dashing toward their next mission: supporting clean waters, healthy habitats, and strong communities.

HEALTHY HABITATS: H1 – H3

2024 Delaware River Festival

Saturday, Sept. 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Penn’s Landing, Philadelphia, and Wiggins Park, Camden, New Jersey

Cost: Free

Fall will be here before you know it, so plan to kick it off in style at the Delaware River Festival. This FREE event will provide hours of fun for yourself and your family and is conveniently located at Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia and Wiggins Park behind the Center for Aquatic Sciences in Camden, New Jersey.

Pedal along in a swan boat or take the RiverLink Ferry across the historic Delaware River to learn why we celebrate this “lifeblood of the northeast” that provides drinking water to more than 10 million people. While at the Festival, join in some brainy games that will help you learn about the environment while having a blast and experience some incredible critters first hand. You can also learn about all the fantastic plants and animals that make their home in the Delaware River Basin. Keep up with all the exciting developments by visiting the Delaware River Festival’s website You can also visit us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to learn more. The handle is @DelRivFest.

SAVE THE DATE!

Experience The Estuary Celebration

Wednesday, Oct. 9, 5 to 8:30 p.m.

Vie by Cescaphe, 600 N. Broad St., Philadelphia

Save the Date! You’re invited to join Partnership for the Delaware Estuary for an elegant evening in Philadelphia this October. The Experience the Estuary Celebration will feature incredible food, cocktails, and raw Delaware Bay oysters. PDE’s celebration is your chance to rub elbows with old friends and make new ones, bid in the silent auction, and support PDE’s mission-driven work. Tickets are now on sale here. For more information about the event or how to sponsor this special celebration, please contact Elizabeth Horsey at ehorsey@delawareestuary.org.