What to do and see in Delaware, United States: The Best Nature & Wildlife Areas

The DuPont Environmental Education Center is located at the 212-acre Russell W. Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge in Wilmington, where the city, river and marsh meet. The center opened in 2009 and has quickly become a favorite family attraction, thanks to interactive exhibits, free admission and numerous free programs, such as daily nature walks. It is owned by the Riverfront Development Corp. of Delaware and operated by Delaware Nature Society.

Ashland Nature Center serves as the Delaware Nature Society’s headquarters and the hub for its education and natural resource conservation activities. The site is open to the public year-round, features an overnight lodge for school and public groups, a seasonal butterfly house, picnic area and four self-guided trails through a variety of habitats. Free and low-cost programs are offered for all ages. Enjoy the Ashland Hawk Watch during the fall raptor migration.

Abbott’s Mill Nature Center encompasses a picturesque pond surrounded by meadows, streams, woodlands, swamps, wetlands, a historic gristmill, and a modern education building. At the heart of Abbott’s is the 377-acre Milford Millponds Nature Preserve, where 5 miles of free trails wind their way through woodlands to meadows as wildflowers, birds, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and insects flourish. Additionally, our 108-acre Marvel Saltmarsh Preserve, located in the Town of Slaughter Beach, is used for seasonal education programs and hosts a new pair of nesting Ospreys. Built in 1802, and on the National Register of Historic Places, Ainsworth Abbott’s Mill is a preserved, working gristmill run solely by a water turbine, and features both a stone & roller mill operation. Public tours of the Mill are offered every 3rd Saturday, March – November, from 2 – 3:30 pm. Educational programs for the public, schools, and scouts are offered year-round for all ages. Our Visitor Center is pet friendly and offers a variety of free exhibits including an aquatic touch tank. Abbott’s serves as a partnership between the Delaware Division of Historical & Cultural Affairs, the Division of Fish & Wildlife, and the Delaware Nature Society, a state-wide, 6,000 member, non-profit organization whose mission is to improve our environment by connecting people to the natural world through education, advocacy, and conservation. DNS members receive reduced pricing for programs, free canoe rentals on Abbott’s Pond, and discounts at local retail affiliates. We are located just 4 miles from downtown Milford, DE, at 15411 Abbotts Pond Road, off Rt. 36. The Visitor Center is open year round Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, and during April – November on Saturday & Sunday as well, from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Trails are open for hiking, biking, and dog walking every day from dawn to dusk, including a 5K cross-country trail adjoined to Blair’s Pond.

- Open: Dawn to dusk 365 days/year - Pets: Pets must be leashed at all times! Free waste bags are located by the parking lot - Trash: Carry in/carry out. No glass - Vehicles: Non-motorized only - Hunting: No hunting is allowed at any time The James Farm Ecological Preserve is an oasis of wild land in Ocean View, Delaware, located along the southern shore of Indian River Bay — just a short drive from Bethany Beach! At this 150-acre retreat, you can relax on a calm bayside beach, observe native plants and animals, and hike three miles of trails through seven distinct habitats! In 1992, the Preserve property was given to Sussex County by the late Mary Lighthipe, a descendant of the James family who farmed the land for generations. This generous donation was made in memory of her son, Harold, on the condition that the property be used for educational and recreational purposes. The Preserve has been managed by the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays on behalf of Sussex County since 1998.

The Coverdale Farm complex at the 352-acre Burrows Run Preserve encompasses an 18th-century stone bank barn, pastures and fields, idyllic ponds and woodlands and panoramic views of rolling countryside. Programs run the gamut from cooking classes to birdwatching hikes, hayrides to sunrise yoga. Spring to fall, Farm Fun Days are held each Wednesday, offering families a chance to visit the farm animals and assist with chores.