Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve

Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)[1]
Location in Delaware
Location	Kent County, Delaware, Delaware, United States
Coordinates	39°05′33″N 75°26′44″W / 39.092466°N 75.445433°W / 39.092466; -75.445433
Established	1937
Visitors	Open daily
Website	Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve

The Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve consists of two unique components, one on Blackbird Creek (39°23′47″N 75°37′04″W / 39.396275°N 75.617824°W / 39.396275; -75.617824) and the other on the St. Jones River (39°05′33″N 75°26′44″W / 39.092466°N 75.445433°W / 39.092466; -75.445433). Freshwater wetlands, ponds and forest lands dominate the Blackbird Creek component.^[2] The St. Jones component is dominated by salt marsh and open water habitats of the Delaware Bay.

The reserve monitors long-term changes in weather and aquatic conditions in the estuary. The reserve’s research and monitoring programs address key management issues, such as biodiversity and the impacts of land use on estuarine habitats, ecological impacts on horseshoe crab populations from migratory shorebirds, beach replenishment activities in relation to habitat preservation/ reclamation, and eutrophication and contaminants in the estuary.