The Delaware Nature Society is pleased to announce Peggy Schultz as the recipient of the 2026 Environmental Excellence Award.
Peggy Schultz has been a leading and respected voice locally and across Delaware for more than six decades, dedicating her career to advancing prudent land use and renewable energy through education, advocacy, and community engagement.
In the 1960s and ‘70s, she worked with the City of Newark to expand public parks. She went on to challenge a planned bypass around the city and successfully worked against a reservoir on White Clay Creek, protecting one of the most important waterways in the state.
Since about 2000, she has been active on land use and zoning issues, working with New Castle County government to prevent suburban sprawl. Council members have called her “The Conscience of the Council.”
As Chair of the League of Women Voters of Delaware’s Climate Change and Energy Committee and its Land Use Committee, Peggy has helped shape critical statewide conversations and legislation around sustainability, responsible development, and environmental protection. She has served as the League’s advocate for Delaware’s Coastal Zone and Coastal Zone Act.
Since 2016 Peggy has focused her efforts on helping residents understand the fundamentals of renewable energy through public meetings, educational forums, and grassroots outreach. She was the driving force behind establishing the coalition POWER (People for Offshore Wind Energy Resources) to unite environmental groups and individuals across the state. She was a champion of both the Climate Solutions for Delaware Act in 2023 and the Energy Solutions for Delaware Act of 2024.
Her inclusive and thoughtful approach has earned the respect of stakeholders and opponents across the spectrum. She has also inspired the next generation of environmental leaders through her work with students at the annual Youth Environmental Summit (YES!). Her leadership has left a meaningful and enduring legacy in Delaware’s environmental and civic landscape.
About the Award
The DelNature Environmental Excellence Award honors exceptional commitment to environmental stewardship, education, and conservation leadership in Delaware. The recipient is recognized for inspiring future environmental leaders, preserving vital habitats, advancing conservation research, and/or fostering a deep connection to the natural world through hands-on learning and community engagement.
About Delaware Nature Society
Delaware Nature Society inspires people of all ages to connect with nature and take action for a healthier planet. As Delaware’s leader in environmental education, conservation, and advocacy, we create opportunities for people across Delaware and the surrounding region to experience, understand, and protect the natural world. Our mission is connecting people and nature to create a healthy environment for all through education, conservation, and advocacy.