This Labor Day weekend, I cannot help but reflect on yet another amazing summer at the coast. Our restaurants were bustling, the fish were biting, and our bike trails were rolling. Who can forget the entertaining fireworks or outdoor concerts? I feel grateful for the hardworking seasonal employees and visitors who sustain our coastal economy, plus the emergency responders, municipal staff, and beach patrols who keep us safe. Yet I would be remiss if I did not mention something even more essential to our way of life: our incredible coastal resources.
Not only do our beaches, bays, and tributaries support recreation and tourism, they also attract a booming real estate industry and related services. In addition, our coastal resources are nurseries for the birds, fish, and shellfish that sustain our economy and environment. For example, Delaware Bay is an internationally recognized route along the Atlantic flyway for migrating birds. Its bay beaches and marshes provide crucial rest stops and food for migratory species such as snow geese and songbirds. It also attracts birders from all over the world who spend money in our communities.
Did you know that Delaware’s coastal resources are a form of infrastructure called “nature-based” or “green” infrastructure? They provide water supply, water quality, and flood control services that are most often associated with municipal and county functions. Our coastal resources comprise a natural floodplain. During spring tides, heavy rain, and coastal storms, our marshes and tributaries absorb excess water, reducing the risk of flooding on properties. Our marshes and dunes also protect properties by absorbing wave energy. Even in the absence of storms, our marshes contribute to our water supply and water quality by replenishing our aquifers and absorbing contaminants in the water. Incredibly, they do it all for free! Mother Nature has gifted us with the capacity to be resilient in the face of a changing landscape. Maintaining these coastal resources in their natural state enables us to enjoy ospreys flying overhead, waterfront homes, and clean waters to swim and fish in. After yet another incredible summer at the coast, I pause to reflect on nature’s gifts and am grateful to call the Delaware coast my home.
Interesting Facts:
Delaware Bay is one of only four locations in North America where over one million shorebirds concentrate during migration.
The Inland Bays generate over $4.5 billion in annual economic activity and support over 35,000 jobs.
Coastal wetlands in the U.S. reduce flood-related damages by $23.2 billion each year.
Danielle is a certified climate change professional with Delaware Sea Grant (www.deseagrant.org). Delaware Sea Grant utilizes research, education, and extension work in support of resilient communities, economies, and coastal resources. Danielle provides technical assistance and outreach to communities on emergency preparedness and building resilience to weather and climate hazards. She is co-founder of the Resilient and Sustainable Communities League (RASCL – www.derascl.org) and loves hiking the Gordons Pond Trail in Cape Henlopen State Park.
