Company Profile
Delaware Wild Lands, Inc
Company Overview
Delaware Wild Lands (DWL) is a nonprofit conservation organization founded in 1961. We are the largest not-for-profit, non-governmental landowner in Delaware. We've helped to protect 31,800 acres of land throughout Delmarva. Today we own more than 21,800 acres that are actively managed to ensure clean air, pure water, vibrant wildlife habitat, and healthy farms and forests.
Company History
Concerned by increasing rates of development and land consumption throughout Delaware, a small group of motivated individuals established Delaware’s first land trust in 1961- Delaware Wild Lands – to safeguard the First State’s critical coastal and natural resources.
Together with our founding and early Board members, our founder Edmund H. “Ted” Harvey worked tirelessly to acquire critical land and water resources throughout Delaware. His great passion for the natural beauty of the First State inspired generations of Delawareans to invest in the permanent protection of critical resources in Delaware.
Today, residents and tourists alike benefit from Delaware Wild Lands’ land protection efforts. Canoeists, birders and outdoor enthusiasts marvel at the breath-taking beauty and bounty of these ecological treasures and farming, sustainable forestry, and responsible hunting remain a viable part of our local and regional economy.
Notable Accomplishments / Recognition
Since 1961, Delaware Wild Lands has played a pivotal role in the acquisition and regulatory protection of 31,600 acres of land, including Delaware’s coastal areas and Great Cypress Swamp.
But DWL does much more than purchase land.
- We own and actively manage 21,600 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.