Slaughter Beach earns Community Wildlife Habitat designation

Slaughter beach has been named Delaware's third National Wildlife Federation-certified Community Wildlife Habitat, a designation that encourages local residents and visitors to create habitat areas throughout the community.

The designation was celebrated May 30 with the unveiling of a new Bayshore kiosk and signage, highlighting community volunteer efforts and native wildlife.

The kiosk is installed at the town's pavilion, at the main access to the bay beach next to the Memorial Fire Company fire hall.

Slaughter Beach is the 83rd community nationwide to be recognized with Community Wildlife Habitat certification, the third in Delaware, behind Townsend and Newark, and the first Delaware Bayshore community to be recognized.

Funding for the kiosk and signage was provided by Bayshore Bond funds and Natural Resource Damage Assessment funds through the state Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, as well as a grant from Sussex County, and donated services from the state Office of Management and Budget and local photographers.

Local and state leaders commended Slaughter Beach resident Bill McSpadden for spear-heading the efforts to increase Slaughter Beach's environmental stewardship through the National Wildlife Federation certification.

“The Bayshore environment is as significant as any ecological treasure anywhere in the country,” said Collin O'Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “I love the work you guys are doing. … You guys are doing something special, and from the bottom of my heart, thank you. This is great for wildlife, it's great for tourism, it's great for property values, it's great for resilience.”

For more information about Slaughter Beach, go to slaughterbeach.delaware.gov.