Delaware Land Protection Coalition Hosts 5th-Annual Conservation Day
Media Contacts
-
Kathleen McFadden
Media Relations Manager
The Nature Conservancy
Email: k.mcfadden@tnc.org
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Delaware and the Delaware Land Protection Coalition (DLPC) hosted the fifth annual Conservation Day at Legislative Hall in Dover, bringing together Delaware residents, environmental organizations and state legislators for a day of discussions about the importance of open space and conservation in Delaware.
The event, which took place on March 19, is organized each year by the DLPC, a group of conservation organizations working together to increase the amount of protected land, forests and wetlands in Delaware. As part of Conservation Day, the coalition asked the General Assembly to increase its funding of the Open Space Program from $10 million to $15 million, an increase the group hopes to see reflected in the fiscal year 2027 budget.
Throughout the day, participants joined small, in-person meetings with state legislators as well as staff from the Office of Governor Meyer, allowing individuals to advocate for policies that benefit the health and wellbeing of people and nature in Delaware.
With a focus on the importance of open space, this year’s Conservation Day highlighted the ways in which open space aids in climate mitigation and adaptation, with natural lands serving as sponges that help control flooding and offset carbon emissions. Advocates stressed the rising concern of coastal flooding in Delaware due to sea level rise and increasing precipitation intensity, highlighting that every dollar invested in land protection in the U.S. returns an estimated $5 in reduced flooding impacts.
“Coinciding with the Spring equinox, this year’s Conservation Day was a reminder of the transformative power of nature: it boosts our wellness in countless ways, supports our economy and local communities, and holds some of the best solutions for combatting climate change,” said Emily Knearl, Delaware Director of Government Relations at The Nature Conservancy. “In challenging times and today’s fast-paced world, the simple act of getting outside is more important than ever, and it was a delight to see so many Delawareans come together in support of our open spaces.”
Attendees emphasized the positive impact that open space has on Delawareans’ mental and physical health.
Delawareans are lucky: no matter where we live in the First State, there is a beautiful outdoor escape just minutes away. Conservation Day reminds us that we must not take our state’s diverse geography and natural wonders for granted.
As noted in the state’s 2025 Delaware Climate Action Plan, there is an important link between today’s choices about land use and the future consequences of climate change in the First State.
Investments in open space conservation include the following benefits:
Addressing climate change by capturing carbon through forest conservation and reducing flooding caused by increased rainfall and intense storms
Providing economic benefits for a state known as an outdoor recreation and retirement destination
Protecting water quality by offering natural filtration and reducing contamination caused by stormwater runoff
Supporting mental and physical well-being
The DLPC is organized by TNC in Delaware and the Delaware Nature Society, and includes the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays, Delaware Wild Lands, Kent County Conservancy, League of Women Voters of Delaware, Ducks Unlimited, Sussex County Land Trust, Preservation Delaware, Native Species Council, Sierra Club, Sussex 2030, Land Trust Alliance, Nanticoke River Watershed Conservancy, Sussex Preservation Coalition and representatives from New Castle County and Kent County.
To learn more, visit nature.org/Delaware.
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 resilient. The Nature Conservancy is working to make a lasting difference around the world in 83 countries and territories (39 by direct conservation impact and 44 through partners) through a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. For more news, visit our newsroom or follow The Nature Conservancy on LinkedIn.