Many of Partnership for the Delaware Estuary’s (PDE) core science programs originated at the organization’s first Science & Environmental Summit in 2005. The event focused on wetlands, bivalve shellfish, bay-bottom habitat, and other top science needs of the Delaware Estuary. Since then, PDE has expanded its surveys, monitoring, staff and research to address the growing demand for its services. You can help by going to a workshop, volunteering, reading our newsletter, or attending an upcoming summit. Our Science Director, LeeAnn Haaf, Ph.D., is happy to answer any questions you might have.
Science & Research
Our Initiatives
Freshwater Mussels
Freshwater mussels are bivalve mollusks just like oysters, clams, and saltwater mussels. Unlike saltwater bivalves, freshwater mussels live in our local streams and rivers and provide many benefits to our natural ecosystem.
Shell Recycling Program
Did you know that oyster shells are recyclable too? There’s a shell shortage in the Delaware Bay, while used oyster and clam shells pile up in local restaurants and get disposed of in our landfills.
Living Shorelines
Living shorelines are engineered structures installed to control shoreline erosion and meet a variety of ecological goals. Through the thoughtful and innovative placement of materials, living shorelines can maintain the connectivity between land and water habitats while intercepting wave energy, reducing sediment and salt marsh loss, and providing habitat for a variety of fish, birds, mammals, and shellfish.
Wetlands
Tidal wetlands are habitats that are regularly flooded by tides— or the rising and falling of water levels associated with the moon’s gravitational force. The Delaware Estuary is unique because it has tidal wetlands from its connection with the ocean all the way to its head of tide.
Resilience
For the Delaware Estuary, recurring extreme weather events will require adapting to rising waters from the sea and land. Coastal communities in particular need to be aware of sea level rise projections when planning for the future of their neighborhoods.
