Places We Protect

The Nature Conservancy worked with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Division of Parks and Recreation, local partners and landowners to help expand and protect what is now Auburn Valley State Park in the Yorklyn area.

In April 2019, DNREC acquired 86 acres consisting of two parcels that support future recreational expansion at the park while protecting important headwaters and tributaries within the Red Clay Creek watershed.

Oversee Farm, now part of Auburn Valley State Park, is a 121 acre property near Yorklyn. In 2003, the State of Delaware purchased a conservation easement on the property using Department of Transportation scenic easement funds and Open Space funds, while The Nature Conservancy acquired the underlying fee interest. In 2006, ownership was transferred to DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation.

Today, visitors can enjoy paved walking trails, open fields, historic farm buildings and scenic creekside landscapes, offering opportunities for hiking, nature observation and peaceful outdoor recreation. This collaboration highlights how strategic land protection supports both watershed health and public access to nature.

The Nature Conservancy helped protect 48.177 acres at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge in 1999, later transferring the land to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2003. This partnership contributed to the long-term protection of one of Delaware’s most important coastal landscapes, supporting salt marshes, freshwater wetlands, and habitat for migratory birds along the Atlantic Flyway.

Today, Prime Hook is a premier destination for birding, wildlife viewing, nature photography and peaceful walks, especially during spring and fall migration. The refuge showcases how collaborative conservation helps protect sensitive coastal ecosystems while providing exceptional outdoor experiences for the public.

The Nature Conservancy has played a key role in expanding and protecting what is now Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, one of Delaware’s most important coastal wildlife areas.

In 1990, TNC protected 273 acres that later became part of the refuge following transfer to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2003. In addition, TNC protected the 341‑acre Port Mahon Preserve along the Delaware Bay in eastern Kent County, which was also transferred to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and incorporated into the refuge.

Together, these protected lands safeguard expansive tidal salt marshes, mudflats and coastal wetlands that support geese, ducks, shorebirds, fish and amphibians along the Atlantic Flyway. Today, visitors can experience some of the best birdwatching, wildlife observation, nature photography and scenic coastal views in the state.

The integration of Port Mahon into Bombay Hook highlights how conservation partnerships can strengthen habitat protection at a landscape scale while expanding public access to Delaware’s remarkable coastal ecosystems.

The Nature Conservancy helped protect 448.8 acres at Delaware Seashore State Park in 1992, transferring the land the same year to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This effort played a key role in conserving coastal lands that support dunes, wetlands and shoreline ecosystems along Delaware’s Atlantic coast.

Today, visitors can enjoy walking trails, beach access, wildlife viewing and panoramic coastal scenery. The park exemplifies how strategic land protection helps safeguard Delaware’s coast while creating memorable outdoor experiences for residents and visitors alike.

The Nature Conservancy protected 31.23 acres in South Wilmington and transferred the land to the City of Wilmington, helping create the entire South Wilmington Wetlands Park. These acres represent the only two tracts that make up this innovative urban green space, transforming formerly underused land into a vibrant public park.

Now, the park provides opportunities for walking, birdwatching, environmental education and nature exploration in the heart of the city. The South Wilmington Wetlands Park demonstrates how conservation partnerships can improve quality of life, restore urban ecosystems and make nature more accessible for local communities.

The 118-acre Marian Okie Memorial Wildlife Preserve is located along Indian River Bay in Sussex County and includes tidal salt marsh, wetlands, coastal forest, and open fields. The property was originally donated to The Nature Conservancy by Austin F. “Pete” Okie before being transferred to the State of Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife. It is now part of the Assawoman Wildlife Area and is publicly accessible, though a Conservation Access Pass is required.

Protecting this land helps limit development, reduce pollutants entering Indian River Bay and preserve essential wildlife habitat. The preserve supports a wide variety of plants and animals, including great blue herons, ospreys, mourning doves, fiddler crabs, monarch butterflies and diamondback terrapins, making it a meaningful destination for wildlife observation and nature appreciation along Delaware’s coast.