NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTOL
Vol. 38, No. 113
March 26, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information contact Lyle Jones, Watershed Assessment Section, Division of Water Resources, 302-739-9939, Sara Wozniak, New Castle Conservation District, 302-382-0335 or Melanie Rapp, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.
5K Race, Fun Run and Fundraiser Set for April 12 to Support Appoquinimink River Association
On Saturday, April 12, join the Appoquinimink River Association at the scenic St. Andrew’s School’s cross country course for the “Appoquinimink Race for Our River,” a 5K Race, Fun Run and fundraiser. The events will be held rain or shine at St. Andrew’s School, 350 Noxontown Road near Middletown. The 5K Race begins at 9 a.m., while the Fun Run begins at 9:10 a.m.
The race and fun run are for everyone - runners, walkers, environmental enthusiasts, pet owners, families, or anyone interested in helping the Appoquinimink River watershed. “We encourage people who live in the watershed to come out and take part,” said Lyle Jones, program manager with DNREC’s Division of Water Resources. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the watershed, learn more about the challenges facing our water resources and help make a difference in the rivers and related natural resources of the Appoquinimink region.”
The race and fun run will be followed by refreshments and a raffle of great prizes – handmade jewelry; gift certificates to Bike Line, Concord Pets and local grocery stores; beach chairs; and a special Appoquinimink River Association gift basket filled with useful and attractive items promoting the watershed.
Awards will be presented for the 5K Race to overall top male and female runners and top male and female runners in each age group – 13 & under; 14-19; 20-29; 30-39; 40-49; and 50 and over.
Register online at www.active.com and search “Appoquinimink Race for our River.” Online registration for both the 5K Race and Fun Run costs $17. Mail-in registration is $20, if postmarked before April 4. Visit www.apporiver.org to print out the registration form and mail it with the fee to Appoquinimink River Association, P.O. Box 341, Middletown, DE 19709 or call 302-382-0335.
Event day registration, held from 7:30 until 8:50 a.m., costs $25. All participants will receive a free t-shirt. The registration fee also includes a one year membership in the Appoquinimink River Association.
Immediately after the race and fun run, St. Andrew’s School and the University of Delaware will hold “Watershed in your Backyard,” a family-friendly event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring wildlife walks and workshops on environmentally beneficial backyard practices. Local food vendors will also sell drinks, sandwiches, and snacks.
The Appoquinimink River Association, a nonprofit organization that works to preserve, protect, and enhance the rivers and related natural resources of the watershed, was organized in April 2004. Originally created by DNREC in 2000 as the Appoquinimink Tributary Action Team, volunteer members are educators, landowners, citizens, farmers, scientists and elected officials who care about the quality of the water in the watershed. The team developed detailed pollution limits – total maximum daily loads or TMDLs – and a pollution control strategy for reducing pollution to meet the limits.
More than 90 percent of Delaware's waterways are considered impaired and do not meet water quality standards for their designated uses, such as recreation, fishing, or drinking. Impaired waters could be suffering from excess nutrients, low dissolved oxygen, toxins, bacteria, heat, or any combination of these problems.
For more information on Appoquinimink River Association and its “speakers bureau” available for community group meetings, visit www.apporiver.org DNREC’s website, www.dnrec.delaware.gov includes information on Delaware’s seven tributary action teams and pollution control strategies. Click on “Division of Water Resources” and then click on “Watershed Assessment” to learn more.
