DNREC features displays, games and prizes at state fair
DNREC is again right in the middle of the annual Delaware State Fair extravaganza, with an array of environmental displays in a newly climate-controlled building, and game prizes to be won by kids of all ages for showing their knowledge about the state's natural resources and environment.
Under the banner with this year's theme, DNREC - Your ECOnnection, the department’s displays link visitors to environmentally friendly programs and ideas.
Featured this year are DNREC's refurbished Energy House and a new interactive watershed display demonstrating how water flows and wetlands hold water, plus a 3-D map of stormwater runoff flowing from a suburban yard to Delaware's wetlands, rivers, streams, and bay and ocean areas. Fair visitors young and older are invited to play DNREC's scavenger hunt game for discovering eco-friendly facts about Delaware that can be found within the DNREC building, and to pick from a wide range of prizes after their successful hunt.
Meanwhile, DNREC On Stage, held in the building's air-conditioned theater, offers a preview of programs from parks, nature centers and other facilities statewide owned and operated by the divisions of Fish & Wildlife, Parks & Recreation and Watershed Stewardship. Visitors will also see live animal shows and presentations ranging from maritime history to geology to Delaware's unique plants and animals. DNREC's building is on East Rider Road in the fairgrounds. Admission is free and the building is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily during the fair. For more information, go to www.dnrec.delaware.gov.
DNREC on Stage schedule
Tuesday, July 25 - Kids Day
Noon-3 p.m. Reptiles and Amphibians of Delaware. Meet the often-unnoticed creatures that crawl, hop, swim and slither in local wetlands, woods and waterways. (From Killens Pond State Park)
Noon-3 p.m. Experience Colonial Games and Toys. Costumed interpreters invite visitors to play games and check out toys from Colonial times on the DNREC building's porch. (From First State Heritage Park)
3-6 p.m. Shipwrecks and Surfman Selfies. Celebrate Delaware Seashore State Park's 50th anniversary with displays telling the park's unique story and maritime history activities.
Wednesday, July 26 - Armed Forces Day/Military Appreciation Day
Noon-3 p.m. Creating Power through Natural Resources. See how water creates power by watching a steam engine in action, then create a pinwheel to harness wind and make energy. (From Auburn Heights Preserve)
3-6 p.m. Travel Back to Civil War Days. Interpreters in period costume invite children to play games and try on period costumes, then march in children's infantry drills. (From Fort Delaware State Park)
Thursday, July 27 - Governors Day/Senior Day
11 a.m.-3 p.m. Join DNREC's Volunteer Olympics. Get a taste of volunteer opportunities DNREC offers by competing in fast and fun games including beach grass planting and horseshoe crab counting, with prizes.
1-2 p.m. DNREC Awards at Mann Tharp Pavilion. DNREC's Young Environmentalists, Youth Fishing Tournament winners, Wetland Warriors, Volunteers of the Year, Hunting and Fishing Photo Contest winners and Rain Barrel Art. Contest winners will be recognized. Also, get a close-up look at one of DNREC's environmental Emergency Response Team vehicles.
1:40 p.m. Bayshore Forever. Catch the premiere of this new video tour of Delaware's beautiful Bayshore region.
3-6 p.m. Horseshoe Crabs and Skins, Scat and Tracks. Two fascinating programs about Delaware's resident living fossil - the horseshoe crab - and a close-up look at identifying animals by their tracks, scat and skins. (From the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve)
Friday, July 28
Noon-3 p.m. Beauty and the Beaks. Learn about how different kinds of Delaware birds use their specialized beaks and feathers - and try being a bird. (From Alapocas Run State Park/Wilmington State Parks)
3-6 p.m. Primitive Skills: Making Slate Cutting Tools. Learn how our ancient ancestors created cutting tools from slate and try making slate tools with help from a park naturalist. (Killens Pond State Park)
4:30-9 p.m. How Does Your Deer Measure Up? Learn how Boone and Crockett's white-tailed deer scoring system works, see some examples of mounted record-holders and get your own evaluated. (On the DNREC Building porch)
