NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL

April 5, 2010
Vol. 40, No. 92

Contact:  Lara Allison, Watershed Assessment Section, Division of Water Resources, 302-739-9939; Glenn “Wayne” McCarty, Kent County Division of Parks, 302-744-2489; or Melanie Rapp, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Celebrate Earth Week by volunteering
at the St. Jones River planting event in Dover on April 24

Celebrate Earth Week by volunteering to plant native trees and shrubs along the banks of the tidal St. Jones River behind Dover’s Elizabeth W. Murphey School from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 24.  The planting event, held rain or shine, is part of a multi-phased restoration plan that will reduce pollution and protect the banks of the river.

“Earth Day is the perfect time to get involved in a project that will help protect the environment,” said Lara Allison, St. Jones watershed coordinator. “Our planting event will establish a buffer of native trees and shrubs that will improve water quality by reducing stormwater run-off, sediment and excess nutrients from entering the river. The project will reduce flooding and improve the health of the St. Jones River for years to come.”

Volunteers will work alongside staff from DNREC, Kent County Division of Parks, the City of Dover, and the St. Jones Greenway Commission and plant more than 200 native trees, shrubs and flowering perennials.

Families, groups and volunteer organizations are encouraged to register by April 23, by contacting the Kent County Division of Parks at 302-744-2489 or by email wayne.mccarty@co.kent.de.us (9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday through Friday). Volunteers can also register 8:30 a.m. on the day of the event at the project site.

On Saturday, April 24, volunteers will meet at the parking lot behind Dover Central Middle School at the intersection of Delaware and Kent Avenues in Dover by 9 a.m.

Volunteers should bring their own gardening or work gloves, wear hard-soled, lace-up shoes or boots (no sneakers), and dress appropriately for outdoor work. If possible, volunteers are asked to bring a round-point shovel. Beverages and hot dogs will be provided, and a handicapped-accessible restroom will be available.

Funding for the project is made possible by the City of Dover and from federal grants obtained by DNREC’s Delaware Coastal and Nonpoint Source Pollution Programs.

The event is the fourth planting in the Silver Lake Revitalization Project. At previous events, approximately 60 volunteers planted more than 184 trees and 500 shrubs on almost five acres of buffer along the banks of the St. Jones River.

The Silver Lake Revitalization Project was recommended as part of a pollution control strategy developed by the St. Jones Tributary Action Team, a group of concerned citizen volunteers, business owners and scientists. The project was initiated in 2007 with a public workshop and input from park neighbors that led to the restoration plan.

To learn more about efforts underway by the St. Jones Tributary Action Team to reduce pollution in the watershed, contact Lara Allison at 302-739-9939 or visit http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/wr/Pages/Default.aspx.