Learn From The Bays: Education and Outreach at the James Farm Ecological Preserve

Written on: May 21st, 2025 in Education and Outreach

By Maddie Fox, Delaware Center for the Inland Bays

The Delaware Center for the Inland Bays is a private nonprofit organization and one of 28 National Estuary Programs in the nation. Its creation was the culmination of 20 years of public participation and investigation into the declining water quality of the Inland Bays and the remedies for their restoration. The Center strives to preserve, protect, and restore Delaware’s Inland Bays and the surrounding watershed through science-based research, restoration, education, public policy, and advocacy.

The James Farm Ecological Preserve was donated to Sussex County in 1992. The late Mary Lighthipe donated the 150-acre property in memory of her late son, Harold. Lighthipe donated the land under the condition that the property be used for education and recreation purposes. The Center took over management of the Preserve in 1998. The Preserve is free and open to the public every day from dawn to dusk.

Located in Ocean View, the James Farm Ecological Preserve is an important resource for the Center and the community. As the Preserve’s popularity increased and its programs expanded, the need to plan for increased visitation while protecting its ecosystems became evident. The Center embarked on the development of a holistic plan that would address the needs of Preserve users and collectively envision its future. The Master Plan addresses enhancements to better serve residents and visitors of Delaware while protecting the Preserve’s ecosystems and enhancing education and outreach opportunities.

Environmental Education

The education department at the Center is committed to offering educational opportunities to people of all ages to engage with and learn about the Inland Bays in meaningful ways that improve their lives and the health of the environment. The Center’s education programs can be divided into a few main categories.

Youth Education

The Center is turning the beaches, salt marshes, maritime forests, and meadows of the Inland Bays watershed into interactive outdoor classrooms for young learners. The Student Estuary Exploration (SEE) Program consists of interactive, nature-based learning opportunities aligned with Next Generation Science Standards for preschool through high school. The goal is to increase environmental literacy, an individual’s understanding, skills, and motivation to make responsible decisions that consider their relationships to natural systems, communities, and future generations” (Oregon State University).

This spring, the Center will welcome over 500 students from several local schools and youth groups, including Sussex Academy of Arts and Sciences, Rehoboth Elementary School, Next Step Learning Center, and Stephen Decatur Middle School. During field trips, students will explore the Preserve and examine different habitats, test the water quality of the Indian River Bay, learn about the ecology and importance of dunes, handle living creatures like fish and horseshoe crabs, and so much more.

*Students participating in a youth education program holding a horseshoe crab.*

Interested in bringing your group out to the Preserve for a field trip? Contact the Center’s Manager of Environmental Education, Jackie Knoll, at jknoll@inlandbays.org.

Homeschool Series

This spring, the Center launched a new component of our education program, the Inland Bays Homeschool series! This new educational offering was created specifically for homeschool families and provides a dynamic learning experience designed to inspire curiosity, creativity, and a love of the outdoors. During the inaugural spring session, the “Power of Plants”, students learned about different parts of a plant, how plants grow, and plant identification techniques, and wrapped the season up by learning about the importance of native plants. Students put these skills into action and helped plant native flower seeds at the Preserve. In a few months, those flowers should be in bloom. More information about the Center’s homeschool series, including details on upcoming sessions, can be found here.

Public Education

There’s something for everyone at the Center’s public education programs! These opportunities rotate seasonally and include programs better suited for adult learners and those specifically designed for families with children. From learning about ospreys, the importance of marshes, beachcombing, or joining us for a Kids’ Day, these programs allow everyone to learn while exploring the Preserve and connecting with nature. Check out our events calendar for upcoming programs! Registration is encouraged.