DuPont Environmental Education Center

Hours

Tuesday-Saturday: 10:00am-3:00pm

Sunday: 12:00-4:00pm

Trails surrounding the center are available dawn until dusk.

Address

1400 Delmarva Lane Wilmington, DE 19806   View map

Phone Number

302-656-1490

Parking

Free

Directions

From  I-95 S:

  • Take the Rte 4/ Martin Luther King blvd exit
  • Follow the riverfront signs and turn left on Martin Luther King/ Lancaster Ave.
  • Turn right on Justison St.  Turn right onto Shipyard Dr. (across from the Big Fish Restaurant)
  • Shipyard Dr. merges with Delmarva Lane
  • Stay straight until reaching the DuPont Environmental Education Center driveway

From  I-95 N:

  • Take the Martin Luther King Blvd exit (exit 6) onto Maryland Ave.
  • Turn Right on Martin Luther King Blvd
  • Turn right on Justison St.
  • Turn right onto Shipyard Dr. (across from the Big Fish Restaurant)
  • Shipyard Dr. merges with Delmarva Lane

The DuPont Environmental Education Center at the Russell W. Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge on Wilmington’s Riverfront opened to the public in October of 2009.

The Riverfront Development Corporation of Delaware (RDC) restored the marsh within the Russell W. Peterson Urban Wildlife Refuge as part of its overall vision to reclaim the long forgotten and abandoned land along the Christina River. The RDC has worked for the last 26 years to transform this industrial wasteland into a thriving destination rich in history and filled with recreational, cultural, retail and culinary attractions. The centerpiece of the Peterson Refuge is the DuPont Environmental Education Center, which the RDC built and continues to operate under a partnership agreement with the Delaware Nature Society (DNS). DNS provides high quality, interactive environmental programming to thousands of visitors each year.

This state of the art four-story, 13,500-square-foot facility is owned by the Riverfront Development Corporation of Delaware and is operated by the Delaware Nature Society. It is located on the edge of the 212-acre Peterson Refuge on the tidal Christina River, where the city, river and marsh meet.

The Education Center showcases the many species of amphibians, birds, mammals, fish, reptiles and native plants that make their home in the refuge. Visitors are able to explore the interactive exhibits, join a guided tour, or participate in a variety of free and low-cost programs for students, youth groups, adults, families and teachers.

The DuPont Environmental Education Center is accessible by the Riverwalk, as well as DART trolley and car. Free parking is available on site and in several Riverfront parking lots located at the end of Justison Street, south of Frawley Stadium. The Riverwalk also connects to the pedestrian bridge that leads to the facility.

In September of 2018, the Jack A. Markell Bike Trail was opened, connecting the DuPont Environmental Center to Historic New Castle. Guests are welcome to bike the trail, and continue onto the Riverwalk into Riverfront Wilmington. Bicycles are available to rent from the center.

Looking to host your next event at DEEC? For more information, please contact Yvette Buckner at ybuckner@riverfrontwilm.com or 302-425-4890.