DE Center for the Inland Bays

DE Center for the Inland Bays OUR MISSION: To preserve, protect, and restore Delaware’s Inland Bays and their watershed.

If you live or vacation in south coastal Delaware…the Inland Bays are the Bays in Your Backyard. Three shallow bays- Rehoboth Bay, Indian River Bay and Little Assawoman Bay– lie just behind a narrow spit of land in sight and sound of the Atlantic Ocean. The bays serve as the backbone of Delaware’s coastal resort area stretching from Cape Henlopen to the north at the mouth of the Delaware Bay to th

e Town of Fenwick Island at the Maryland state line to the south. The watershed area also extends west to the headwater streams of Indian River and other tributaries, and the farm fields, millponds and marshes of Sussex County, Delaware.

Happy International Horseshoe Crab Day! Each spring, horseshoe crabs come ashore to spawn, with females laying thousands...
06/20/2026

Happy International Horseshoe Crab Day!

Each spring, horseshoe crabs come ashore to spawn, with females laying thousands of eggs that provide a critical food source for migratory shorebirds like the red knot. These ancient creatures are also full of surprises! They have 10 eyes, blue blood that helps scientists ensure the safety of vaccines and medical equipment, and they're actually more closely related to spiders and scorpions than to crabs!

At the Center for the Inland Bays, horseshoe crabs are an important part of our education and conservation efforts. Through our Horseshoe Crab Survey Program, volunteers help monitor spawning activity along local beaches, providing valuable data that supports research of this iconic species. We also incorporate horseshoe crabs into educational programs throughout the year, helping community members of all ages learn about their fascinating biology and the critical role they play in our coastal ecosystem.

Pic 4 📸: John Hoyt

📝 That's a wrap on our spring youth education season! 🔬Between visits to off-site organizations and field trips at the J...
06/19/2026

📝 That's a wrap on our spring youth education season! 🔬

Between visits to off-site organizations and field trips at the James Farm Ecological Preserve, our education team reached nearly 900 students this spring! Thank you to all of our partners, teachers, and students who made this such a wonderful season.

Interested in scheduling your own field trip to the Preserve? Reach out to the Center's Environmental Education Manager ([email protected]) or visit our website (inlandbays.org/environmental-education/youth-education).

Spring 2026 participating groups:
- Inland Bays Homeschool Series
- Sussex Academy Elementary School
- South Coastal Library
- ROOTS Farm & Forest School
- SNAC Garden Foundation & Georgetown Middle School
- Seaside Christian Academy
- Lord Baltimore Elementary School
- Howard T Ennis School
- Delmarva Christian School
- Rehoboth Elementary School
- Phillip C Showell Elementary School
- Millsboro Public Library
- Delaware Hands & Voices

🌊 Last but not least, let's (re)introduce Daniel, the Center's Water Quality Specialist Intern! "This is my third year w...
06/18/2026

🌊 Last but not least, let's (re)introduce Daniel, the Center's Water Quality Specialist Intern!

"This is my third year with the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays, and this year I am focusing on continuous water quality monitoring using multiparameter sondes. I am a rising junior at Penn State Altoona studying Biology. I am from Milford but spent much of my time at Slaughter Beach, which sparked a strong interest in marsh health. I can't wait to be back out on the water again this summer, and I hope to refresh my fish ID skills!"

Check back soon to see all the projects our interns dive into!

☀️ Let's continue our week of celebrating the Center's summer interns! Today, we're introducing Michael, our Shellfish S...
06/17/2026

☀️ Let's continue our week of celebrating the Center's summer interns!

Today, we're introducing Michael, our Shellfish Specialist Intern! 🦪

"I grew up in Lawrenceville, NJ, surrounded by its beautiful natural ecosystems. I graduated from McDaniel College in 2024. My studies were focused on Environmental Earth System Sciences. I had previous internships at different Environmental Organizations, such as Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space and theMcDaniel Environmental Center. My prior work focused on removing invasive plant species and promoting the health of our natural wetlands.

I recently moved to Delaware, where I am excited to apply what I learned in my education to the field. I love Sussex County, and I feel honored to connect what I've learned to the place that I love. I am excited to learn more about Delaware's Inland Bays and especially its oysters! Already in my short time here at the Center, I have learned so much about the Inland Bays! In my free time, you can find me lounging on the beach!"

Who will be the next intern we introduce? 👀

☀️ Welcome to the week of celebrating the Center's summer interns! We're kicking it off with introducing Ella, our Subme...
06/16/2026

☀️ Welcome to the week of celebrating the Center's summer interns!

We're kicking it off with introducing Ella, our Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) Specialist Intern! 🌱

"Hello, I'm Ella! I am a recent graduate from the University of Delaware, where I majored in Marine Science and minored in Statistical Data Analytics. I am originally from Michigan, but I moved to the East Coast to pursue my education in Marine Science. Now, I live in Lewes, DE! I am so excited to be an intern this summer at the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays! I will be focusing on the restoration and monitoring of SAV habitats. This includes being in the field, where I will collect samples and data from the local environment. During my internship, I am eager to learn more about nonprofit organizations, fieldwork, and conducting experiments. When I am not working, I am most likely at the beach reading the next book on my reading list! I also enjoy listening to music (Surfaces is my favorite band), running, seeing my friends, playing beach volleyball, and building sandcastles!"

Stay tuned for later in the week to meet the rest of the summer crew!

🎉 We're excited to announce that tickets are now on sale for Decked Out 2026, the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays' s...
06/15/2026

🎉 We're excited to announce that tickets are now on sale for Decked Out 2026, the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays' signature fundraising event!

Join us on Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 6:30–9:30 PM at Big Chill Beach Club for an evening of great food, refreshing drinks, beautiful views, and meaningful connections—all in support of Delaware's Inland Bays.

Tickets are $100 per person and include an unforgettable evening celebrating the people, partnerships, and projects that help preserve, protect, and restore our bays.

Whether you're a longtime supporter or new to the Center, Decked Out is a chance to celebrate the bays we all love while helping fund critical restoration, education, and conservation efforts throughout the watershed.

Get your tickets here: https://app.betterunite.com/delawarecenterfortheinlandbays-2026deckedout

Big thank you to our amazing sponsors:
Carl M. Freeman Foundation
Coastal Plant Care
Ashton Pools
Del-Coast Design & Build
Patti Drago & Rich Wiessmann
Lord Baltimore Women's Club
Nally Homes

If you are interested in sponsoring this event, please email the Center's Development Coordinator, Milan, at [email protected].

Get ready to explore the coast with us 🌊🦀🦪Join the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays and Maryland Coastal Bays Program...
06/15/2026

Get ready to explore the coast with us 🌊🦀🦪

Join the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays and Maryland Coastal Bays Program on July 9 for Day 1 of Journey Up the Coast, a FREE hands-on education program for youth ages 6–12! Participants will dive into fun, interactive activities focused on watersheds, estuaries, wildlife, and our local coastal ecosystems.

This “bay-hop” adventure is the perfect way for young explorers to connect with nature, learn about our bays, and have fun outdoors this summer ☀️🐚

Day 1 details:
📍 511 Rehoboth Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, DE
🕘 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
🎟️ Free program (registration required)

REGISTER HERE: https://ow.ly/cyrU50Zbjmu

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors!
Carl M. Freeman Foundation
Coastal Plant Care

Stay tuned for details on day 2!

Have you checked out MyCoast: MARCO yet? 🌊📸MyCoast: MARCO is a specialized branch of the MyCoast platform focused on the...
06/11/2026

Have you checked out MyCoast: MARCO yet? 🌊📸

MyCoast: MARCO is a specialized branch of the MyCoast platform focused on the Mid-Atlantic coast, from New York through Virginia, in partnership with MARCO - Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean. It enables people to document marine recreation, wildlife, and coastal experiences by uploading photos and reports.

By uploading your coastal photos and observations, you’re helping scientists, planners, and conservation partners better understand and protect places like Delaware’s Inland Bays for future generations. 💙

Getting involved is easy:
📸 Take a photo
📱 Upload it through the FREE MyCoast app or website
🗺️ Help create a better picture of how our coasts are used and valued

Every submission helps support smarter coastal conservation and planning across the region.

Learn more and share your observations: https://mycoast.org/marco

⏰ Don’t forget! Bay Banter & Brews is happening Wednesday, June 17 from 3–5 PM at Ocean View Brewing Company! 🍻🌿Join the...
06/10/2026

⏰ Don’t forget! Bay Banter & Brews is happening Wednesday, June 17 from 3–5 PM at Ocean View Brewing Company! 🍻🌿

Join the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays and the Food Bank of Delaware for an engaging afternoon all about creating a healthier, more resilient backyard for you and local wildlife. Learn how the fruits and vegetables you plant can support pollinators, improve soil health, and benefit your own health too! 🦋🍅🌱

🎟️ Tickets are $15 and include a beer & snack.
Purchase tickets here: https://www.oceanviewbrewingde.com/events/bay-banter-amp-brews-our-backyard-amp-produce

Grab your spot and come enjoy great conversation, local brews, and ideas you can bring home to your own backyard!

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for our World Ocean Day Cleanup! With the help of 36 amazing volunteers, we c...
06/09/2026

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for our World Ocean Day Cleanup! With the help of 36 amazing volunteers, we collected several trash bags full of debris and helped keep our beaches and bays cleaner for wildlife and our community. 🌎🩵

From plastic bottles and cans to fishing line and other litter, every piece removed makes a positive impact on the health of our waterways. It was amazing to see so many people come together to give back to the coast we all love.

We also want to give a special thank you to Big Chill Beach Club for partnering with us and supporting this important event. Your support helped make the day a success!

Address

39375 Inlet Road
Rehoboth Beach, DE
19971

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+13022268105

Website

, ,

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when DE Center for the Inland Bays posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to DE Center for the Inland Bays:

Shortcuts

Share

Category