Our Mission

Our mission is to protect and restore Delaware’s important natural areas through the purchase and management of strategic parcels of land.

Since 1961, we played a pivotal role in the acquisition and regulatory protection of 31,800 acres of land, including Delaware’s coastal areas and Great Cypress Swamp.

But we do much more than purchase land.

  • We own and actively manage 21,800 acres of land to enhance biodiversity and support traditional uses of the land.

 

  • We conveyed 10,000 acres of land to the State of Delaware for public recreation and education.

 

  • We recognize hunting, farming, and forestry are an important part of Delaware’s local culture and economy.

 

  • We use Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) certified forestry practices to restore the ecological functions of our forests while generating a long-term source of revenue for the organization and contributing to the local economy.

 
 
 
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Introducing Our Strategic Plan: Vision for the Future of Conservation


We are excited to unveil our new Strategic Plan, comprehensive roadmap for advancing DWL’land conservation efforts. This plan reflects the valuable input and insights from our dedicated community and builds on our mission to acquire and restore critical parcels of land. But our vision extends beyond land acquisition—we are committed to expanding our outreach and educational efforts, stewarding the lands we currently manage more effectively, and balancing natural and working lands while preserving traditional land uses. Additionally, we are committed to monitoring wildlife populations to assess the impact of our restoration practices, ensuring our efforts contribute to healthier ecosystems and stronger communities.

This plan represents significant step forward in our ongoing work to protect and restore Delaware’natural heritage. Learn more about the details of our Strategic Plan HERE!