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News from Delaware Seashore State Park October 2017     Dates to Remember   Sea Hawk Trail at Holts Landing Friday, November 24 1p.m. FREE w/ paid park entry #OutOutside on the day after Thanksgiving and hike the Sea Hawk Trail with a park naturalist. Explore this 1.7 mile loop and enjoy the fall wildlife at the beach. Meet at the picnic pavilion at Holts Landing State Park Pre-registration is NOT required     Fall Programs and Events Call (302) 227-6991 for more information!   Introduction to Surf Fishing   Sunday, October 8         9 a.m. – Noon Saturday, October 14        9 a.m. – Noon Have you always wanted to try surf fishing but weren’t sure how to get started? If so, this program is for you! We will cover everything from fish identification to proper casting techniques. Rods, reels and bait are all provided. Participants must be at least 10; under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.  Pre-registration required $25 per person     Beach Driving Clinic Sunday, October 8     2 p.m.  Learn park rules, licensing requirements and tips from park staff to maximize your safety while driving on the beach. Then follow park staff out to the beach to practice driving on the sand (participants must have a valid surf tag on their vehicle). Pre-registration required $8 per person   Birding with a Naturalist Sunday, October 15 9:30 a.m. Birders of all ages and abilities are invited to join a park naturalist to view birds common to coastal Delaware. Meet at the Indian River Life-Saving Station for a short introductory talk on common species and then head out to the field (by car) with bird guides, a spotting scope, and binoculars. Pre-registration required $4 per person     Hike Burton Island Nature Preserve Sunday, October 22 1 p.m. Explore the one-mile loop trail on Burton Island Nature Preserve with a Park Naturalist. Learn to identify coastal plants, discover island history, and spot various waterfowl along the way. Pre-registration required $5 per person   Owls: Predators of the Night Saturday, October 28 3 p.m. Learn to identify common owl species found in our area. A park naturalist will explain their adaptations and guide participants through a dissection of an owl pellet to determine it's latest meal! Pre-registration required $5 per person     Sunset Bridge Walk Friday, October 6 6 p.m. Hike to the top of the Indian River Inlet bridge just in time to catch the sun setting over the Indian River Bay. A Park Interpreter will lead the way, pointing out bridge features and explaining how the inlet has changed over the last 100 years.  Pre-registration required $6 per person     Wild Edibles of the Seashore Sunday, October 15               1 p.m. This program will introduce you to some of the native plants of coastal Delaware, many of which are edible! Learn about beach plum, prickly pear, sea rocket, and much more. You may even leave with some new cooking tips! Pre-registration required $6 per person     Hike Thompson Island Sunday, October 22 10 a.m. Hike the trail at Thompson Island Nature Preserve with a park interpreter. Learn about the island's Native American presence and observe the abundant wildlife that calls this island home. Space is very limited! Pre-registration required $5 per person   News in Nature: Consciously Informed     World Animal Day: Wednesday October 4, 2017 Whether you are an animal lover or not, building a better future for our society includes the welfare of animals we have in our homes, work throughout Delaware, or put on the table to fill our bellies. World Animal Day is celebrated every October to develop the understanding between human and creature, and educate the masses of animals importance through all walks of life. Events across the world are held to enhance animal status in plethora of ways: education on pet adoption, workshops on proper use of farm animals, conferences for the development of game hunting, compassionate treatment decisions, "fixing" and vaccination importance, to name a few. So what is Delaware's relationship with animals like? Well with over $800 million dollars worth of livestock and 2,500 farms thriving in the agriculture industry, farmers and their recipients drastically influence our understanding of animals. The State Marine Animal, the Horseshoe Crab, is not only of Ordovician status but used to detect bacterial poisons in certain medications, vaccines and medical devices. Reaching the far stretches of medical labs across the world. And with over 35 animals rescue ventures scattered through all three counties, the word is spreading on domestic compassion and awareness in all age ranges. Even though Delaware is a small state, we have deep, interconnected economical and social relationships with land and sea animals not to be taken advantage of. At Delaware Seashore we not only have upland forest habitat critical to the development of game species, but have freshwater and bays that act as nursery for delicious seafood and unique inhabitants, such as the Blue Crab and bay water Seahorse. Most of our park's preserves, like Burton Island, have a deep history in the agriculture industry or involve livestock breeding as a predecessor for protection. And most of all, we have pristine beaches with diverse oceanic life flourishing with every wave and wind. So next time you're walking your pet down that favorite local spot, remember that everyday can be World Animal Day by embracing all the ways creatures big and small impact our lives.     Information featured found on WAD and DDA       Want your private group to discover Delaware Seashore?   Call the Indian River Life-Saving Station and ask for the Private Programs Coordinator!   We provide a variety of private programs for ALL ages. We can cater to your staff, scout troop, class, or community group with outreach programs and on-site park visits.   Call (302) 227-6991 for details.       Indian River Life-Saving Station Museum and Gift Shop Hours Open daily 8 am - 4:30 pm until October 21st The Museum closes 30 minutes prioer to the Gift shop.     </