Group Tours
Meeting Facilities

Facilities open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays, except state holidays. The ARE Center and Mallard Lodge are located on Route 9 northeast of Smyrna, 1 ½ -2 miles north of the intersection of Route 9 and Route 6. 

Located in the scenic Woodland Beach Wildlife Area bordering Delaware Bay, the Aquatic Resources Education Center specializes in year-round aquatic education for students and adults. Teacher training is conducted on-site, and teachers may bring student groups for hands-on environmental education. Teacher’s activity kits and equipment are available for AREC student field programs. 

The ARE Center complex includes 940-foot salt marsh boardwalk trail open to the public year-round, nature trails linking salt marsh, fresh and brackish ponds, swamps, and vernal pool wetland habitats, an outdoor classroom, and a rustic lodge which provides overnight accommodations for educational groups. The ARE Center also provides lab and office space for 25 Fish & Wildlife scientists and educators. The facilities are administered by the Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife, with primary funding from the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Program and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

Group Tours
Call for information on group programs and rates. There is no fee for the use of facilities or equipment by groups involved in aquatic education focused programs. 

Meeting Facilities
Meeting room in ARE Center for up to 30 people. Meeting room in Mallard Lodge for up to 48 people. Overnight accommodations in Mallard Lodge for up to 36 people.

ARE Center has a public meeting room for up to 30 people, typically used for teacher workshops and other educational activities. This conference area can be rented to educational, governmental, natural resource, and non-profit groups for other public or private meetings. The facility is not available for private parties or other groups not falling into those categories. Call for rates and reservation information. Conference facilities available 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays, except state holidays. Kitchen facilities available, wheelchair accessible. Phone to reach conference participants is 302-653-9105.

Mallard Lodge provides overnight accommodations for 36 guests, dormitory style, for school groups, youth groups, and other gatherings. Priority is given to educational groups. Due to extremely high use by educators during the spring and fall seasons, facility use is limited, without exception, to educational programs during March, April, May, June, September, October, and November. No fee for use of facilities or equipment by groups involved in aquatic education focused programs. Modest rental rate is applied to other selected users. Use of the lodge is restricted to educational, governmental, non-profit, and natural resource related functions. First floor is wheelchair accessible. Kitchen on site. Conference /dining area can accommodate up to 48 people. Pay phone to reach lodge guests is 302-653-9918.