Partnership for the DE Estuary

For three decades, the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary has grown from a visionary idea into a leading organization for science-based restoration, collaborative engagement, and community led initiatives. What began with federal recognition of the importance of clean water and estuaries has evolved into an effort that unifies scientists, educators, government agencies, nonprofits, and community members who care deeply about the Delaware River and Bay.

This timeline captures key moments in our history and the important programs, partnerships, and events that have shaped our ongoing work to protect and enhance the Delaware River and Bay for current and future generations. 

The Environmental Protection Agency recognizes the Delaware Estuary as an estuary of national significance.

The Delaware Estuary becomes part of the EPA’s National Estuary Program.

The Delaware Estuary Program publishes its first Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP).

PDE moves into its first office at Bellevue State Park in Wilmington, Delaware, with help from DNREC.

The first Teacher’s Workshop is held, helping educators learn about their local waterways.

PDE holds its first Experience the Estuary Celebration at the Camden Aquarium.

PDE hosts the first Green City, Clean Waters drawing contest for students with the Philadelphia Water Department. 

The Corporate Environmental Stewardship Program is established to help businesses manage their land more sustainably and cost effectively.

New projects like storm drain marking are created to help communities reduce stormwater pollution, many of which are still running today.

PDE celebrates its first Pennsylvania Coast Day (now the Delaware River Festival) at Fairmount Park in Philadelphia.

The Schuylkill Action Network forms to reduce pollution entering the Schuylkill River. It’s partners have completed over 400 projects since then.

PDE becomes the host of the Delaware Estuary Program.

The first science coordinator is hired to identify and address top science needs across the estuary.

The first Delaware Estuary Science and Environmental Summit is held at the University of Delaware discussing top priorities for science and restoration in the estuary.

Delaware Bay Oyster Restoration Project launches with 280,000 bushels of oyster shells planted the first year. 

PDE offices move to current location by the Riverfront in Wilmington, Delaware.

The Science and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) forms to advise the National Estuary Program on emerging concerns and long-term health of the estuary’s resources.

The Freshwater Mussel Recovery Program is launched to help rebuild threatened populations through surveys, volunteer efforts, and electronic tagging.

PDE publishes its first State of the Estuary report.

PDE and DNREC design the Mid Atlantic Coastal Wetland Assessment to gather and analyze data about wetland health.

PDE’s first living shoreline project of the Delaware Estuary Living Shorelines Initiative is built outside of Bivalve, New Jersey in collaboration with Rutgers University.

The Delaware Bay Oyster Restoration Project receives Coastal American Partnership Award, the only environmental award of its’s kind given by the White House.

Students submit more than 1,500 drawings to the Protect Philadelphia’s Hidden Streams Art Contest.

PDE completes one of the first climate vulnerability assessment for our region, described in the Climate Change and Delaware Estuary Report.

PDE coordinates the annual Wilmington Earth Day Celebration observing the 40th anniversary of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Earth Day.

The University of Delaware releases a report showing that the Delaware Estuary supports over 500,000 jobs and contributes more than $10 billion in economic activity to the region each year.

The Philly Water’s Best Friend Spokedsog Competition launches to pick the city’s most eco-friendly doggie fighting “poo-lution” in the City of Brotherly Love.

The Schuylkill Action Students program launches to help schools “green” their properties with the help of teachers, students, and community members.

New rain gardens are installed around the estuary, including five created by PDE as part of the Rain Gardens for the Bays campaign.

The Schuylkill Action Network celebrates its 10th Anniversary and receives the Pennsylvania Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence.

The Farmers Guide for Healthy Communities is released to help farmers learn about ways to reduce pollution, including stormwater runoff.

A green jobs program for youth in Camden, NJ, is launched, replicating the successful program running in Wilmington since 2011.

PDE and partners installed a 340-foot living shoreline along the Mispillion River near Smyrna, DE.

More than 29,000 volunteers participate in the three-month long Schuylkill Scrub cleanup.  

PDE begins an oyster shell recycling program in New Castle County, Delaware.

PDE launches a mussel hatchery exhibit with the Fairmount Water Works in Philadelphia to boost shellfish restoration and clean water.

The first Delaware Resilient And Sustainable Communities Leage (RASCL) Summit hosted at the Del-One Conference Center.

The CCMP is revised for the first time since the original one was published in 1996.

PDE uses tree rings to study how rising sea levels are affecting forests along tidal marsh margins.

The Wetland Assessment Tool for Condition and Health (WATCH) tool is launched to help diagnose site-specific wetland problems.

PDE and partners receive the Best Restored Shore Award for the DuPont Nature Center’s living shoreline project in Milford, DE.

PDE hosted virtually  the 20th anniversary of the Delaware River Festival, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Community Cans combined trash cans and artists with the goal to reduce litter across neighborhoods.

PDE hosts a virtual auction and Experience the Estuary Celebration in late October.

PDE hosted a Virtual Science and Environmental Summit during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was attended by over 400.

PDE and Philadelphia Water Department open Philadelphia’s first official shell recycling area.

SeaBins are launched in Philadelphia to capture floating debris, including microplastics.

The 10th Biennial Science Summit hosted in Atlantic City.

Homegrown Habitats program launches, to provide free native plans to Wilmington, DE residents.

The 2023 State of the Estuary report is released, gives a rating of “Fair” to the Estuary.

Chester River Fest launched in conjunction with the Delaware River Festival.

Work on the Christina River’s first living shoreline breaks ground near the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation.

RV Tkuweyo, PDE’s first research boat, takes its maiden voyage Port Norris, NJ.

Wilmington’s first outdoor classroom opened at Cool Spring Park to educate minds of all ages about the benefits of native plants and their connection to clean water.

PDE collects over 49,000 recordings in marshes, called acoustic monitoring, to see how wildlife reacts to changes in their environment, especially when humans are trying to restore it.

Artist in Residence project launches.

Nearly 2,000 freshwater mussels rehomed into the Delaware River.