Dee Durham - District 2

Biography

A Delaware native, Dee Durham and her family now live in the house where she grew up adjacent to what is now Brandywine Creek State Park near Rockland.  She graduated from Wilmington Friends School and Swarthmore College.

Dee served as Executive Director of Preservation Delaware, and of S.A.V.E., a land use, conservation planning and smart transportation advocacy organization based in Chester County, Pennsylvania.  Then she spent time as an independent consultant in fundraising and nonprofit management with a focus on conservation, serving several area nonprofits including as the Interim Development Director for the French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust.  Dee was also the Grants Manager for the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary.  In 2012, she was honored with the Chairman’s Award from Preservation Pennsylvania.  She has earned recognition as a Certified Fundraising Professional (CFRE).

Dee’s work as an environmental advocate made her aware of the need for increased transparency and ethics in government, leading to a stint as Program Director for Common Cause Delaware, 2012-2015.  Common Cause seeks policy changes to address money in politics including Citizens United, and reforms aimed at increasing fair voting policies, same day registration, no excuse absentee balloting, and increased transparency in Delaware’s government.

Dee has been an active volunteer in her community including service on many boards including the Sierra Club Delaware Chapter, New Castle Conservation District, and Preservation Delaware.  She initially obtained experience in the nonprofit sector and community service through her work with the Junior League of Wilmington including a term as President.  Dee served on then Governor-Elect Jack Markell’s infrastructure transition team and former Governor Ruth Ann Minner’s Livable Delaware Task Force.  Past nonprofit board service includes the Civic Council of Brandywine Hundred (CCOBH), Wilmington Friends 

School, Friends of Wilmington Parks, Friends of Brandywine Creek State Parks, Friends of Auburn Heights Preserve, Old Brandywine Village, Greater Brandywine Village Restoration, and Preservation Action.

Dee was instrumental in spearheading New Castle County’s revitalization of the Woodley Park playground near Talleyville adjacent to Naamans Little League.

In 2010, Dee co-founded and continues to chair Plastic Free Delaware (PFD) which aims to reduce plastic pollution in our Delaware communities and environment through educational programs, awareness building, and advocacy initiatives.  Through PFD, launched Zero Waste First State and YES!, the Delaware Youth Environmental Summit.  In October 2018, Dee was recognized with the Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Award for her work on these issues.

Dee was elected as County Councilperson for New Castle County’s District 2 in November 2018.

Legislative Highlights from County Council:

Ordinance #20-112 (Sub.1) Mandates Historic Properties Acquired by NCC be Placed in Historic Overlay Zoning Districts in order to enhance protection

Durham Launches Little Free Library Program

10-28-2020 Launching the Little Free Library Giveaway!

Durham Spearheads Comprehensive Historic Preservation NCC Code Revisions (Ord #20-071)

Durham Establishes NCC Historic Marker Program

Resolution #20-180 Urging the United States Congress to Enact the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act

Durham's Ordinance #20-038 to Assist Little Free Library Installations

Durham's Ordinance #19-106 Re-Establishes historic tax credits which had sunset

Working with the Citizens Climate Lobby, Resolution #20-180 Urges the U.S. to Congress to Enact the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act

Link to All NCC Legislation Sponsored by Dee