Partnership for the Delaware Estuary

06/08/2026

We are about a week away from naming a new Philadelphia Water Department Spokesdog. Could your dog be the one? You'll never know unless you enter, and you can't enter unless you attend this Sunday's Spokesdog Competition at the Philadelphia Brewing Co. from 2-5 p.m. No pre-registration required.

Who will win? You have a week to find out.🐶🐾🐶🐾🏆???
See more in the link below. 👇👇

06/08/2026

Love Submerged Aquatic Vegetation? Due to continued interest in the Delaware SAV Seekers Volunteer Monitoring Program, the University of Delaware and Delaware Sea Grant are offering several upcoming training opportunities for those who have not yet participated in the program.

Upcoming Training Opportunities:
June 17 – Full-Day SAV Seekers Training, Auburn Valley State Park
June 23 – SAV Identification & iNaturalist Webinar (Time TBD; more information coming soon)
July 10 – Part 1 Training, University of Delaware Lewes Campus

These trainings are designed to introduce participants to submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), species identification, monitoring protocols, and community science tools used to support Delaware’s growing statewide SAV dataset.

For more information, see the link in the comments below:

06/05/2026

Give it up for Willow! Philly’s beloved spokesdog is ending her term.

Over the past year, Willow’s mission was simple: encourage everyone to scoop the p**p and protect our waterways. She attended community events around the city sharing information about responsible pet ownership.

Her reign may be ending, but the mission continues. Join us on June 14 at the Philadelphia Water Department Spokesdog Competition for a chance to become Philly’s new dog ambassador for clean waters.

To learn more about the upcoming Spokesdog Competition on June 14, visit www.delawareestuary.org/event/2026-spokesdog-competition/

Could your pup be Philadelphia Water Department's next Spokesdog? There's only one way to find out. Come and enter the 2026 competition on Sunday, June 14.

06/04/2026

Celebrate Nature Through Books, Nature, and PDE!

There's just a few tickets left for you to join us for a guided nature walk to honor the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence by exploring the enduring role of native plants in shaping the American landscape environmentally, culturally, and historically. The walk is from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 13.

Highlights include the area’s native plant species, how Indigenous peoples, such as the Lenape, used and continue to use these plants for food and medicine, and how early colonists relied on these same native species for survival and independence.

Participants will receive a seed packet of native species. This is part of New Castle County Library's NEA Big Read in connection with the book, The Seed Keeper, by Diane Wilson. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
Visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/freedom-to-grow-celebrating-250-years-of-americas-native-landscapes-tickets-1985831138392

06/04/2026

Take a peek behind the scenes with Spokesdog Willow!

Just like this photoshoot, our city and natural systems rely on small details going right. Did you know that many storm drains flow to our local waterways? Since Philly gets all its drinking water from local rivers and creeks, it’s extremely important for everyone to keep the drains free of pollutants like dog p**p!

“Doo” your part. Scoop the p**p! Spokesdog Willow helps spread the word to “scoop the p**p!” To learn more about the upcoming Philadelphia Water Department Spokesdog Competition on June 14, visit www.delawareestuary.org/event/2026-spokesdog-competition/

Do your part to keep our Delaware waterways clean by managing dog waste. Explore other tips & engagement programs with Partnership for the DE Estuary.

06/03/2026

Shuckfest was amazing! Congrats to the Oyster House on their 50th anniversary and for throwing a phenomenal block party. Thank you for inviting us to join in the fun and for allowing us to recycle all those oyster shells - they'll be put to good use in our restoration projects throughout the Delaware River and Bay. 🦪🦪🦪❤️❤️

SHUCK FEST

06/02/2026

SCIENCE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Want to get savvy about submerged aquatic vegetation? There are trainings around the corner, so get your seats now!

DATES:
June 17 – Full-Day SAV Seekers Training, Auburn Valley State Park
June 23 – SAV Identification & iNaturalist Webinar (Time TBD; more information coming soon)
July 10 – Part 1 Training, University of Delaware Lewes Campus

These trainings are designed to introduce participants to submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), species identification, monitoring protocols, and community science tools used to support Delaware’s growing statewide SAV dataset.

For more information, visit: https://bit.ly/SAVTraining

Delaware DNREC Delaware Sea Grant

06/02/2026

Let's give a shout-out to our new science fellows and intern! Welcome to Kathryn Krueger, our Estuary Science Fellow; Michaela Sullivan, our Urban Resilience Fellow; Sydney Gawason, our Coastal Restoration Fellow; and Maura Mergenthaler, our Science Intern!

They'll be in the office and the field helping us with our mission for clean waters, healthy habitats, and strong communities.

05/31/2026

Blue moon over Slaughter Beach, Delaware. 🌕

05/30/2026

Let’s shake on it! Make picking up p**p part of the deal.

Dog p**p isn’t just stinky. It’s packed with bacteria and nutrients that can pollute local waterways. A single gram of dog p**p contains over 23 million f***l bacteria.

The good news? One simple scoop makes a big difference. Scoop it, bag it, trash it!

Spokesdog Willow helps spread the word to “scoop the p**p!” To learn more about the upcoming Philadelphia Water Department Spokesdog Competition on June 14, visit www.delawareestuary.org/event/2026-spokesdog-competition/

Could your pup be Philadelphia Water Department's next Spokesdog? There's only one way to find out. Come and enter the 2026 competition on Sunday, June 14.