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The Nature Conservancy Celebrates Historic Passage of the Delaware Wetlands Stewardship Act

Dover, Delaware | July 01, 2026

A view into a freshwater, non-tidal wetland at Middleford North preserve featuring dense Atlantic White Cedar trees.
Freshwater Wetlands The Nature Conservancy's Middleford North preserve is home to dense Atlantic White Cedar swamps and freshwater, non-tidal wetlands. © John Hinkson/TNC

Media Contacts

  • Kathleen McFadden
    Media Relations Manager
    The Nature Conservancy
    Email: k.mcfadden@tnc.org

The Nature Conservancy in Delaware applauds the passage of the Wetlands Stewardship Act by the Delaware General Assembly, a historic milestone that will protect critical freshwater, non-tidal wetlands in the First State.

The legislation, Senate Bill 9, marks the seventh attempt at protecting freshwater wetlands in Delaware since 1988. Senate Bill 9’s success was due in large part to Senator Stephanie Hansen and the public dialogue she led over a two-year period. The bill’s prime sponsor focused on collaboration and consensus-building across farmers, developers, realtors, business interests, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and environmental organizations, including TNC. 

The key to collaboration was establishing mutual respect between all of the stakeholders and a shared goal of protecting these valuable resources. It took work, but everyone stayed engaged in the process and now we have this incredible shared outcome that has previously been unattainable.
Stephanie Hansen, Delaware Senator, 10th District

The Wetlands Stewardship Act establishes state-level protections for 75,000 acres of freshwater, non-tidal wetlands that have lost federal protections over the decades, culminating in the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court Sackett ruling.

Until now, Delaware was the only state in the Mid-Atlantic region that had not passed its own state-level protections to fill the gap left by the federal government.

Nature’s superheroes In Delaware, we rely on our wetlands to serve as natural sponges to reduce floods and clean water. © Lyndon DeSalvo/TNC

“Freshwater wetlands are nature’s superheroes, and for years these vital ecosystems were under-protected in Delaware, but Senate Bill 9 is a game changer,” said Emily Knearl, TNC's director of government relations and external affairs in Delaware. "In Delaware, we rely on our wetlands to serve as natural sponges to reduce flood risk, filter pollutants for cleaner water, store excess carbon, and offer a home to native plants and wildlife.”

“Today is an important day. Thank you to Senator Hansen, the prime sponsor of Senate Bill 9, and Representative Heffernan, the bill’s House sponsor, DNREC, and every participant on the Wetlands Working Group,” said Lori Brennan, executive director of TNC in Delaware and Pennsylvania. “Senator Hansen provided a master class on how to develop such a complex bill, proving that multi-sector collaboration is not only possible but essential to shaping meaningful conservation policies for people and nature.”

Key elements of the Wetlands Stewardship Act focus on bringing efficiency and predictability to the permitting process. This includes developing a wetlands screening tool for simplifying field evaluations, establishing clear timelines for DNREC permit decisions, and assembling a Wetlands Regulatory Committee of agricultural, business, conservation and scientific experts.

Earlier this year, TNC and other collaborators on Senate Bill 9 developed a fact sheet outlining the value of freshwater wetlands and important elements of the legislation.

Senate Bill 9 now heads to Governor Meyer’s desk to be signed into law.

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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.