Enjoy the Fall Weather and the Happenings in the First State

October brings a noticeable shift across Delaware. Cooler temperatures settle in, leaves begin to change and wildlife prepare for the months ahead.

It’s also a great time to experience the outdoors and see how Delaware’s natural spaces change with the season. This month, we’re sharing some of what’s happening across DNREC and a few ways to make the most of fall in the First State.

Two young girls decorate pumpkins at Pond Fest at Lums Pond State Park, which will be held this year on Oct. 10.

Pumpkin decorating is just one of the fun activities available during festivals at
Delaware State Parks this fall. /DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation photo

Join Delaware State Parks for Fall Events Throughout the 17 Parks

This fall, visitors can turn a trip to Delaware State Parks into the ultimate fall road trip with festivities popping up across the state.

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Delaware Drivers Watch for Deer

Delaware drivers are spending more of their morning and evening commutes in the dark and the days will get even shorter when clocks turn back on Nov. 1. At the same time, white-tailed deer are becoming more active and more likely to cross roadways, making now the time for drivers to slow down, watch roadsides and stay alert at dawn and dusk.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), the Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) within the Department of Safety and Homeland Security and Delaware State Police (DSP) urge motorists to start safe driving habits now, before deer activity peaks later this fall.

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Cleanup Volunteers Removed 21,000 Pieces of Trash from Delaware Beaches

Volunteers across Delaware joined together on Sept. 19 for the 39^th annual Coastal Cleanup organized by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). Individuals, families and community groups turned out at more than 45 sites – from Fenwick Island to Battery Park – and removed more than 3,800 pounds of trash from shorelines, wetlands and waterways. More than 1,200 volunteers of all ages signed up for the three-hour DNREC Delaware beautification event.

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Port Industry Supports More Than 580,000 Jobs; Tax Revenue $18.1B

William E. Cleary Sr. | Cleary’s Notebook News

Study Highlights Economic Impact of New York-New Jersey Port Operations and Infrastructure Investments

EDISON, N.J. — The Port Industry of New York and New Jersey supported nearly 580,000 jobs, generated approximately $18.1 billion in tax revenue, and was responsible for $57.8 billion in personal income and $163.7 billion in business income across the region during 2024, according to an economic impact study released in 2025 by the Shipping Association of New York and New Jersey.

BY THE NUMBERS

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DNREC Updates Hunting Regulations for Hunters 16 to 20 Years of Age

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s (DNREC) Division of Fish and Wildlife has updated Delaware hunting regulations concerning direct supervision impacting 18- to 20-year-old hunters after a state Supreme Court ruling struck down an earlier state Superior Court decision that had allowed hunters 18 to 20 years of age to hunt without direct supervision when using a range of hunting firearms.

The high court reversal pertains to House Bill 451, a 2022 law amending the age in which a person can possess, purchase and sell a firearm in Delaware. The law, which had a three-year grace period for full enactment, did not specifically focus on hunting and is still under a federal court challenge. Some of its provisions regarding supervised and unsupervised hunting have been effected by House Substitute 1 for House Bill 427, which passed into law earlier this year. That law allows hunters who are 16 to 17 years old to hunt without direct supervision if certain requirements are met. Separately, HB 427 allows individuals aged 16 to under 18 to hunt without direct supervision if they have permission from a parent or guardian, have completed an approved basic hunter education course, and are in possession of a valid hunting license.

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Blackbird Creek Fall Festival Set for October 17

Family fun, food and entertainment await visitors to the 18^th annual Blackbird Creek Fall Festival Saturday, October 17.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve (DNERR) hosts the festival at the reserve, along the banks of Blackbird Creek. The festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Blackbird Creek Reserve, 801 Blackbird Landing Road, near Townsend.

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Take the Ultimate Delaware Fall Road Trip

Pumpkin decorating is just one of the fun activities available during festivals at Delaware State Parks this fall. /DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation photo

This fall, visitors can turn a trip to Delaware State Parks into the ultimate fall road trip with festivities popping up across the state.

Along the way, travelers can hike beneath changing leaves, bike scenic trails, paddle quiet waterways, discover historic sites, enjoy seasonal programs and extend the trip with camping or cabin stays. Part of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, there are 17 state parks across Delaware, and fall offers an ideal time to experience the variety of landscapes, outdoor recreation and history found throughout the state.

Join one of the many special events and activities hosted by Delaware State Parks Friends organizations:

• Beer, Wine and Spirits Festival at Trap Pond on Sept. 26

• Pond Fest at Lums Pond on Oct. 10

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2026-27 Delaware Hunting Season Opened Sept. 1 for Deer, Canada Goose and Dove

Several Delaware hunting seasons opened on Tuesday, Sept. 1, marking the start of the state’s overall 2026-27 hunting season. Chief among them is archery deer season, resident Canada goose season and the traditional Delaware dove opener in sunflower fields across the state. Read more

Despite Holt Lawsuit, Delaware Terminal Starts Construction

William E. Cleary Sr. | Clearys Notebook News

WILMINGTON, DELAWARE (September 18, 2026)–Located at the former Edgemoor industrial site, DCT will handle containers, retail goods and perishable commodities, nearly doubling container capacity across the Delaware River port complex. The terminal will also provide ocean carriers and cargo owners with access to Class I rail services and major highways, including I-495, I-95, I-295, the New Jersey Turnpike and the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

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Free Private Well Water Testing Available for Delawareans

Delawareans who rely on private wells for their drinking water can request free testing for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, and a range of other contaminants through a statewide program offered by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS).

This free testing is available as part of Delaware’s expanded efforts to identify and address potential contaminants in drinking water. The program also advances a priority identified in Delaware’s 2026 PFAS Implementation Plan to expand access to PFAS testing for private wells across the state.