Marsh Migration map offers glimpse at threat to marshes and wetlands

By Martin Matheny

Published August 8, 2025 at 8:26 AM EDT

Wetlands can flood seasonally, like this forested pond or depression wetland that floods in spring in Woodland Beach Wildlife Area near Smyrna

It's summertime in the First State, a time when many of us head to the beaches. But on your way to surf and sand, you'll likely pass through one of the state's most threatened habitats – its marshes and wetlands.

DNREC recently released a map charting marsh migration - how wetlands are moving inland as sea levels rise - and how migrating marshes are bumping up against growing development.

This week, Delaware Public Media’s Martin Matheny chats with DNREC environmental scientist Allison Rogerson about the map and what it tells us.

DPM's Martin Matheny interviews DNREC environmental scientist Allison Rogerson about marsh migration

The Green

Martin Matheny

Martin Matheny comes to Delaware Public Media from WUGA in Athens, GA. Over his 12 years there, he served as a classical music host, program director, and the lead reporter on state and local government. In 2022, he took over as WUGA's local host of Morning Edition, where he discovered the joy of waking up very early in the morning.

See stories by Martin Matheny