Letter from our Board President
Friends,
Welcome to Delaware Nature Society’s Biennial Report which shares the inspiring growth, change, and milestone
achievements for 2016 and 2017. We are excited to share with you some of the notable successes over the past two
years! Our Abbott’s Mill Nature Center in Milford commemorated its 35 th Anniversary in 2016 with year-long celebration of
events which engaged new audiences in the natural history and beautiful preserved lands in Kent and Sussex counties.
We expanded our natural and agricultural lands at Coverdale Farm Preserve through both a land purchase and donation
– increasing the total acreage to 377 acres (up from 354). In the last two years, our organization expanded its work in
the areas of Bird Conservation, Land Conservation and Preservation, Advocacy, and Clean Water. This growth led to
new opportunities to engage our community in meaningful experiences, from participating in Citizen Science programs
through our bird banding and bird data collection, to advocating to ensure the protection of Clean Water. Another significant
milestone was the passage of the Delaware River Basin Conservation Act (DRBCA), part of a larger legislative package
known as the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act for the Nation (WIIN). The legislation required leadership from local
and regional non-profits, private industry, and elected officials to collaborate to ensure clean drinking water for the millions
of Americans in four states in the Delaware River Watershed. While we celebrate these wins, we cannot take for granted
that the environment is worthy both of our protection and our stewardship to safeguard the health of our water, lands, and
wildlife for future generations.
Nature teaches us that growth is not possible without change. You – our donors, supporters, members, and friends – continue
to inspire us with your generosity of time, treasure, and talent. You are the spark which causes Delaware Nature Society to
thrive and champion the environmental causes you care about. We couldn’t achieve it with out you – so thank you! I hope as
you read this report, you are as inspired as I am about what we have accomplished together. I am truly grateful that we have
you as partner in this importa nt work to protect what we all care so deeply about – our planet and the environment.
In Gratitude,
Jeff Pantazes, President
Delaware Futures Volunteers Clearing Invasives
at DuPont Environmental Education Center
1,900+ acres of land
managed for biodiversity
statewide each year by
Delaware Nature Society
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