2019 Advocacy Agenda

“Including advocacy in our mission set us apart.”

We are one of the only statewide environmental organizations with full-time staff who advocate
for wildlife, land conservation, protection of our regions natural resources. Using a scientific,
fact-based approach, we work to gain funding for land preservation, protect threatened and
endangered species, and advocate for environmentally responsible energy policies.
As the state affiliate for the e National Wildlife Federation, we address more than 50
environmental issues on the federal, state, and local level.
2019 Advocacy Agenda- Clean Water: Investment at the federal- and state- level will improve
our water quality, so we are advocating (1) Sustainable, dedicated clean water funding, (2) Full
funding in the EPA Chesapeake Bay Program, (3) Robust funding for the Delaware River Basin
Program Restoration Program, and (4) Protection of freshwater wetlands. Land and Habitat
Protection- Protection and preservation of open spaces provide habitat for wildlife, replenishes
our drinking water supply, and removes air pollutants. We encourage to; (1) Reduce plastic
pollution, (2) Full funding for Delaware’s Open Space and Farmland Preservation Programs, (3)
Passage of the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act and (3) Transparent Coastal Zone Regulatory
Process. Climate Change- We must slow and limit damaged caused by climate change with
improved energy conservation, efficiency, renewable energy, and greenhouse gas reduction. We
support to Reforming the Ethanol Mandate.
Support our Clean Water Campaign- Since March 2015, Delaware Nature Society, along with
our partners Partnership for the Delaware Estuary and Center for the Inland Bays, has been
running a statewide clean water campaign.
The clean water: Delaware’s Clear Choice campaign: (1) Builds an alliance of Delaware
stakeholders to support sustainable funding for clean water,(2) Supports efforts to ensure that
funding for clean water improvement projects places an emphasis on green infrastructure
projects, and (3) Lays critical groundwork to further educate and connect residents to their local
waterways and empower them to take action to improve the quality of these waterways.
We believe that securing funding for clean water can lead to cleaner environment, healthier crops
and food sources, improved economy, and increase tourism. By securing support for clear water
initiatives throughout the state, we are securing a better, stronger Delaware. Clean water is truly
Delaware’s clear choice.
Delaware Bans Plastic Bag- Plastic pollution is a hazard to public health, wildlife, and our
environment. Earlier this year, legislation was introduced in Delaware’s General Assembly that
will cut back on the amount of plastic pollution by banning single use plastic bags. This restricts
retailers over a certain size from giving plastic bags to customers. Only under certain
circumstances would plastic bags still be given, including for damp or loose food items, or for
hazardous chemical items such as pesticides. The ban does not restrict restaurants; nor does it
impose any fee.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in support of this ban by contacting the legislator or
testifying at Committee hearings. Governor Carney signed this bill into law on July 29 th. The bag
ban will take effect on January 1st, 2021.
This ban is excellent and necessary first step towards reducing our harmful dependence on
plastics, but we need to go further to keep our communities and environment safe. By addressing
other plastic bag alternatives such as paper bags and Styrofoam, we can better encourage the use
of reusable bags at checkout and reduce unnecessary waste.