Get to Know DelNature

Since 1964, Delaware Nature Society has grown into a trusted leader in Delaware’s environmental movement, inspiring generations to explore, understand, and care for the environment

DelNature connects communities to nature through hands-on learning, conservation action, and local advocacy. Whether through immersive educational programs, habitat restoration, wildlife research, or community-driven initiatives, we empower people of all ages to discover their place in the natural world and become stewards of its future.

Adult and child exploring a shallow stream with nets.

Everything we do starts with one goal: helping people understand that nature is part of who we are, from the food we eat to the places where we live, work, and play.

Together we can shape a healthier, more resilient, and more connected community – today and for generations to come.

Group of Delaware Nature Society staff and volunteers gathered outdoors.

Our Mission and History

Our mission is simple: connecting people and nature to create a healthy environment for all through education, conservation and advocacy.

Founded as the Delaware Nature Education Society, DelNature inspires people to explore, understand, and protect the natural world. Our legacy is built on the belief that caring for nature goes hand in hand with teaching others to appreciate it. By protecting natural spaces and deepening understanding of the world around us, we invest in a healthier future for everyone. Our members, volunteers and community partners bring this work to life every day.

Our Plan

In 2024 we introduced a new strategic plan to guide our work through 2027. It celebrates the interconnectivity of humanity and the environment and establishes three broad goals to integrate education, conservation and advocacy for:

  • Healthy communities and plentiful natural areas and ecosystems that host and protect diversity and are resilient to changing conditions.
  • An environmentally literate, diverse community of people who understand the challenges and are engaged in finding and supporting creative solutions.
  • A dynamic and sustainable organization that serves as a model, change agent, and viable sources of mutual support for natural areas and communities.
Group of people planting trees.
Open wetland landscape with marsh grasses and a winding waterway.
Outdoor educator speaking to a seated group in a wooded area.

Our Vision & Values

We envision Delaware as a place where people: 


  • View themselves as part of nature and understand that nature is essential for life
  • Recognize the immediacy of addressing environmental issues
  • Take pride and find joy in caring for the natural world

This vision is about creating a sense of belonging, where every person feels part of something bigger through their relationship with the natural world. In pursuit of this vision, we are guided by the following core values in everything we do: 

We Are Nature

We take care of the places that sustain us. Humans are part of nature and our fates are interconnected.

Integrity

We are a trusted partner. We act and make decisions driven by our mission and desire for a healthy environment and respect for the science that supports that outcome.

Engagement

We share knowledge, resources, and opportunity so everyone can feel a sense of ownership and share responsibility for causing positive change.

Nature is for All

We collaborate to change practices to enact environmental justice. Inclusive and equitable access to the natural world is not a privilege; it is a basic human right.

Creativity

We thrive when different perspectives are welcomed and new ideas are shared. Innovation will uphold our relevance.

Brown cow standing in a grassy pasture near a wooden barn.
Fresh vegetables and flowers arranged in a basket.
Four young people smiling together outdoors.

Our Commitment

DelNature believes everyone has the right to visit safe, natural outdoor spaces, live on a healthy planet with access to healthy food, land, water and air, and have their voices and concerns valued equally. We are dedicated to working with people regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability. We commit to being inclusive and equitable, educating communities on local environmental issues, learning from the public to inform our actions, partnering with local communities on programs and initiatives, hiring staff that reflects the audiences we work with, and supporting and developing equitable environmental policies.

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