Du Pont Environmental Center of Delaware Nature Society

Right next to the DEEC is the Russell W. Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge, which contains 212 acres of freshwater marsh. The refuge is a safe haven for animals such as bald eagles, ducks, beavers, river otters, turtles, and countless other species of wildlife. The DuPont Environmental Education Center itself is home to a Visitor Center, an ornamental garden, a pond loop trail, among other attractions. 

The DEEC is run by the Delaware Nature Society, a leading environmental nonprofit that was founded in 1964. Its mission is to protect the biodiversity of the state and promote human connection with nature. It began its programs at the DEEC in 2009, after the nearby marsh was restored by the Riverfront Development Corporation of Delaware, the same company that owns the DEEC building. 

The Dupont Environmental Education Center is a four-story, 13,500-square-foot building filled with interactive exhibits and activity space. The DEEC hosts field trips, summer camps, and other learning experiences for kids and teens. There are also countless drop-in events for families. Popular activities include Meet Live Animals, where visitors can get up close and personal with the reptiles in the marsh; Netting in the Marsh, which teaches participants to identify fauna in the area, and Bird Walks, where people can learn bird identification skills. 

As a facility, the DEEC serves as one of the main providers for RENEW, or Reaching and Engaging through Nature to Empower Wilmington. Through RENEW, Delaware Nature Society’s aim is to foster equitable access to enjoyment of the outdoors to improve community health and well-being. In concordance with this goal, the DEEC provides many outdoor access opportunities to the public. RENEW also works with local youth to improve their comfort and experience in interacting with the natural world. 

The Delaware Nature Society also aims to foster biodiversity and clean water on all of its land. They began by surveying all locations on the land to develop Biodiversity Management Plans; steps of the plans include removing alien vegetation and restoring natural habitats. They also conserve wooded habitats to support bird populations, which have declined in recent years. The group has created meadows as well, to serve as buffers for water runoff; this addition helps preserve the state’s clean water reserves. 

Visit the DuPont Environmental Education Center for its interactive learning opportunities, 10-acre garden, miles of paths through the wilderness, and conservation efforts. It is open from 11:00am to 5:00pm Tuesday through Saturday, and from 12:00pm to 4:00pm on Sundays. Entry is free to all.