Projects

Our Impact in Action

At The DECO, our projects are where passion meets action. From marsh restoration and dune stabilization to community education and wildlife monitoring, each initiative is designed to strengthen the resilience of Delaware’s coastal ecosystems. Explore our current efforts and see how we’re making a difference—together with local partners, volunteers, and supporters like you.

Our Latest Projects

Fisheries and Aquaculture Innovation Center (FAIC)

Critical bottlenecks to the aquaculture industry and restoration practitioners alike include the lack of critical infrastructure, as well as the lack of supply of oyster shell, larvae, and individual oyster seed. In response to these challenges, the University of Delaware constructed a pilot-scale oyster hatchery at the Lewes campus. The hatchery is intended to serve the local aquaculture industry and nonprofits conducting restoration work in the form of living shorelines and oyster reefs.

Living Shores

As development continues along Delaware’s coasts, resilient measures are required to ensure the stability of these vulnerable regions. Living shorelines offer a strong, ecologically favorable, and aesthetic solution to minimize the rate of coastal erosion in low-lying, coastal areas within the state. As erosion persists, the naturally found assemblage of shellfish, grasses, and reef material grows along the coast to provide continuous support year after year.

Help our cause

Make a Difference Where Land Meets Sea.

Donating to The DECO is a powerful way to protect the places you love. Your efforts and donations help preserve fragile ecosystems, support wildlife, and combat climate change. Join us and be part of a hands-on movement to ensure our coasts remain vibrant and resilient for generations to come.